Yes, there are a gazillion hotels in Paris that are more than suitable to rest your head. But for some reason, the Mandarin Oriental Paris makes it onto the regular rotation. Maybe it’s the location. Or the service. Or it could be the rooms. This is the review.
Atmosphere
I love arriving at the Mandarin Oriental in Paris as it feels like a second home. Some people want a sense of a destination when they stay at a hotel. At the Mandarin Oriental Paris, you know you have arrived at a Mandarin Oriental. The lines have an Asian minimalist aesthetic that transcends the city’s portfolio of hotels. The location is on the Rue St. Honoré which is right around the corner from the Place Vendôme, which just happens to be my all-time favorite area in all of Paris. The atmosphere is chic and elegant and the other hotel guests match the vibe of the environment. The Mandarin Oriental Paris for me is when I know I want everything to just feel right.
Rooms
Outside of Cheval Blanc’s secret 10,000 square foot plus apartment, the OG of lavish accommodations is the Parisian Apartment at the Mandarin Oriental. With three bedrooms, a huge outdoor garden, and a large living room for entertaining, the aesthetic of this apartment is unique from the rest of the hotel. The architecture is more of a traditional Haussmann and you feel like you’re in a place exactly as its name implies – a Parisian apartment.
One of the things I like most about the Mandarin Oriental is that you don’t need to drop major coin on a speciality room. In a city where the rooms are not large, every room at the Paris hotel is spacious. The decor is distinctly Mandarin, with its minimalist, modern, and sleek furniture. The regular rooms have rich dark woods whereas some of the suites have more monochromatic creams throughout. Either way, baths are all luxurious and it’s more than a comfortable place to rest your head in Paris.
Dining, Spa + Gym
The food is one of the few aspects of the Mandarin Oriental that’s good, but not exemplary. Breakfast always hits the spot but I wish there were more French-type items like savory crêpes. I never really ate dinner at the Mandarin as Chez L’Ami Louis or Laperouse usually call to me. It seems that their dinner service is in transition anyway. Where I do always make a stop though is the outdoor garden. During the winter, they have chalets that are heated for hot toddies. For summer the inner courtyard garden is where we normally stop for at least a drink and snacks both before and after dinner.
The Mandarin is known for its spas, and the Paris property represents. When I need a home remedy for jet lag, the massage does the trick. The pool is also a subterranean refuge for the rare times I’m able to take downtime during my visit.
Service
Like the design aesthetic of the Mandarin Oriental Paris, with complete predictability, I know that the service will be impeccable during my stay. Similar to the comfort I get when I arrive at the hotel where the atmosphere is just right, I know the service will just be right. This is one of the few hotels it seems nowadays that will answer your emails and actually follow through on your requests. The concierge at the Mandarin Oriental is also one of the few that can actually be useful with challenging reservations. But from top to bottom, the service works from the moment you check in, to housekeeping and everything in between.
Overall: 8.2/10
The Mandarin Oriental Paris is a go-to place to stay in Paris.
Other Articles You’ll Like
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
Lily of the Valley St. Tropez
FAQs
Q: Where is the Mandarin Oriental Paris located?
A: The Mandarin Oriental Paris is located in the 1st Arrondissement near the Place Vendome. Its address is as follows:
251 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris, France
Phone: +33 1 70 98 78 88
Q: What restaurants does the Mandarin Oriental Paris have on-premises?
A: Currently, the Mandarin Oriental Paris has Camélia, an all-day and evening restaurant and garden, and Bar 8 at the hotel.
Q: Does the Mandarin Oriental Paris have a spa?
A: The Mandarin Oriental has a beautiful spa plus a pool in the subterranean levels of the hotel.
