Travel
There still are a few late guests in the lobby of the recently awarded 5-star Hotel Napoleon, and the atmosphere is dynamic. The two fresh gentlemen behind the desk take care of the formalities and we take our time to look around. This place is fit for a queen, I think to myself! And this only makes me more curious about the marvels our own Avenue Junior Suite holds in store for us.
Hotel Napoleon is a proud reminder of the 1920s, a time period I hold most dear. I feel a subtle connection with the place and its romantic story. The hotel was a wedding present, mind you! From a rich Russian businessman to the young French girl he had fallen head over heels in love with. Over the years, personalities like Ernest Hemingway, Salvador Dali, Errol Flynn and many, many others found their way here and enjoyed the comforts of Hotel Napoleon. And here we are, stepping in their footprints!
We take the elevator to our suite, but it takes us ages to get there. We can’t stop admiring all the beautiful paintings and prints of Napoleon decorating every inch of the hotel. It really lives up to its name! Napoleon would be very proud to know.
After breakfast, we go explore the lounge, try the comfy sofas, admire the wealth of beautiful decorative objects and discover the restaurant.
It feels so cozy!
I especially like the big bronze horses and the continuity I find throughout the hotel. Paintings and fabrics, in exactly the same style as the ones in our room are everywhere. And the ambiance is so serene that it’s difficult to believe we are in the heart of Paris.
When we finally decide to part for a few hours with the hotel, we go shopping on a ridiculously busy Champs-Élysées, rediscover the Louvre and Centre Pompidou, and stroll along the banks of Seine and through Montmartre... In the evenings we discover the Parisian culinary scene, with all it’s wealth of Michelin rated restaurants and chefs, the cabaret show at Lido, just a few minutes away from the hotel, and the tranquility of our own suite. It's impossible not to love Paris!
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Travel
In Paris, All You Need Is Love. And Hotel Napoleon
Paris is the epitome of style, sophistication and romance. It is the city of meticulous urban planning, iconic monuments and beautifully kept gardens. It is the place par excellence where to go fall in love all over again. So nobody would hold it against us for choosing a hotel that combines all Paris stands for under one roof, right?
We arrive in Paris just before midnight, after traveling by train the whole afternoon from Les Eyzies. We are tired, in spite of traveling 1st class. And as we find out that the direct Metro line is closed for renovation, we look for the quickest way to get to our hotel. Nevertheless, nothing can wash away our enthusiasm.
We arrive in Paris just before midnight, after traveling by train the whole afternoon from Les Eyzies. We are tired, in spite of traveling 1st class. And as we find out that the direct Metro line is closed for renovation, we look for the quickest way to get to our hotel. Nevertheless, nothing can wash away our enthusiasm.
When we finally get close to the Arc de Triomphe, we find the heart of Paris bathed in a dim, romantic light. We take the Avenue de Friedland, one of the 12 straight avenues that leave from Place Charles de Gaulle, right next to the Champs-Élysées, and only a few meters away we reach our destination.
The hallways covered in striped fabrics breath luxury. We find our room at the very end of the corridor. Turn the key in. Drop the luggage. And stare in amazement.
The junior suite is incredibly elegant and classy.
The decor is inspired by the Napoleonic era, with two Empire armchairs, a sofa and a coffee table, comfortable king-size bed... I love the soft, silky green curtains that we soon pull together over sound-proof windows. In spite of facing the boulevard, our room is very quiet. Hanging over the bed is the portrait of a mysterious woman, kindly smiling down at us.
On the desk we enthusiastically find a welcome letter, a bottle of Napoleon champagne on ice and Parisian crackers. Just what we needed for our romantic escape!
The marble bathroom is large, with walls covered in mirrors and L'Occitane toiletries. I’m very fond of L’Occitane in general, but the choice of fragrances I find here top every other. I particularly love the leaf shaped buttery verveine scented soap.
When we wake up in the morning and pull the curtains back, gentle sun rays find their way inside our suite. The room is bathed in beautiful light from two sides and we discover a small terrace enclosed in the U-shape of the building, one floor below us.
We drag ourselves down to breakfast, just to find an abundance of croissants, thin French pancakes, fruits, local cheeses and cold cuts, as well as some hot options. We stuff ourselves with all the goodies, trying to remember we still have two more mornings to try everything.
It feels so cozy!
I especially like the big bronze horses and the continuity I find throughout the hotel. Paintings and fabrics, in exactly the same style as the ones in our room are everywhere. And the ambiance is so serene that it’s difficult to believe we are in the heart of Paris.
We ask for a tour of the hotel and we are shown a few more rooms, all beautiful and unique and faithful to the same Napoleon.
For more info, you can check out Hotel Napoleon's website and Facebook page.
We were guests of Hotel Napoleon, however, all opinions expressed here are entirely our own and based on our personal experience.
We were guests of Hotel Napoleon, however, all opinions expressed here are entirely our own and based on our personal experience.
- Colombier Suites, Colmar. Charming Moments
Colmar is a fairy-tale like place. Situated along the Alsatian wine route, the beauty of its well-preserved old town is comparable to none. But seeing the colorful half-timbered houses from the street level and living in one of them, if only for...
- Hotel Gutenberg, Strasbourg. Central And Elegant
It was in Strasbourg in the middle of the 15th century that Gutenberg perfected and unveiled the printing press. Today, the city celebrates him with a bronze statue in a square named after him and a pretty hotel bearing his name. Location Hotel...
- Finding Happiness At Lido De Paris
Feathers, fur, leather, lace, leopard print, beads, sequins and jewels. It’s our third night in Paris and we are in mood for some extravaganza. The iconic Lido cabaret on Champs-Élysées is only a few minutes walk from the Arc de Triomphe and...
- Myhregaarden Hotel, Stavanger. A Very Romantic Boutique Hotel
By the time our train arrived in Stavanger it was almost 11PM and we were tired. Nevertheless, some reminiscences of the midnight sun could be seen on the sky even at the end of July, wrapping the city in a charming atmosphere.We took out the...
- Planning A Romantic Weekend In Paris
Paris epitomises romance and is associated with romantic gestures like no other city in the world. Touted as one of the most beautiful cities you could hope to visit, Paris has become the natural destination of choice for those looking for a...