Long before LVMH got into hotels, there was Bulgari, forging its path through Asia and the Middle East. Surprisingly though, it took some time to arrive in Paris and even its hometown of Rome. When you think of Bulgari, jewels come to mind. So when it came time for Bulgari to open a hotel in Paris, that’s what they carried over to the DNA of their luxury hotel. The Bulgari stands out from other hotels in Paris with its high design and modern Italian feel. But how are the experience, rooms, and spa? This is the Bulgari Paris review.
Atmosphere
I’m going to cut to the chase; I stay at the Bulgari Hotel Paris whenever I can. I don’t go for work, but rather because I enjoy the hotel. When I’m looking to splurge a little more but not as much as Cheval Blanc, Bulgari is my top choice. The design is modern but there’s an Italian warmth and sleekness to the decor. The dark polished woods on the walls have an almost yacht-like feel to them. However, like Italian hospitality, the hotel is just comfortable. There’s a small lobby that has deep cushioned couches and a fireplace. The bar is a fun buzzy place to start out with aperitifs after work and some people-watching. Then from there, it’s really about the privacy and discretion of the hotel. The best parts aren’t seen by the public, which is one of my favorite parts of staying at the Bulgari Paris.
I’ve stayed at the Bulgari Paris during Fashion Week as well as during the summer. The crowd is chic; during the summer it trends more Middle Eastern but year-round it’s generally international. The vibe of the hotel hits the right notes for me that it feels like home when I return.
Rooms
Those dark polished woods are a theme throughout the hotel and are prominent in the rooms too. I’m normally all about white interiors but I really love the Bulgari rooms. I’ve stayed in entry-level rooms as well as suites, and they are all deeply luxurious and spacious. The next level up from entry is when you get your private dressing room that leads into the large bath. It’s sexy as heck when you are in the rooms, and the furnishings are top-of-the-line. They spared no expense on every single inch of the guest rooms. The furniture is custom-made and I especially liked the bars that were styled as old-fashioned travel steamer trunks.
The bathroom is exquisitely designed and the marble of the bathroom must be from Carrera. Often you can’t figure out how to get your shower on or where the hot water is. The baths though at the Bulgari Paris have clear buttons that you press versus turn. The toiletry boxes are stocked with beautiful brushes and combs and pretty much all end up in my suitcase. If you’re doing a getaway with your significant other or meeting your Parisian lover, this is the hotel to stay at in Paris.
Dining + Bars
Each of the Bulgari hotels has a Niko Romito, their signature Italian restaurant. In Dubai, I live at the Bulgari restaurant. At Niko Romito Dubai they have one of the best Margherita pizzas in the world. So I had high hopes when I checked into the Bulgari Paris, and invited a friend to join me for dinner. I thought that the food was underwhelming, but it doesn’t change my Bulgari Paris review. The atmosphere was beautiful like the hotel but the restaurant wasn’t terribly full during the evenings. I didn’t mind as I wanted an easy meal on my last night in Paris. However, for a hotel of this level, I would have expected the food to blow me away like the Bulgari Dubai.
I had a yellowtail carpaccio to start along with a special seafood risotto. Both were fine, but nothing to write home about in the Paris restaurant scene. From my assessment of the meals I had, I think that it’s just the deal at the Bulgari Paris. The mornings I had breakfast were a fun buzzy people scene during Fashion Week. However, the food was more basic and forgettable, unlike the breakfast at the Park Hyatt where every dish is exquisitely prepared.
The Bulgari Bar
What I do come to the Bulgari Paris for is the bar. It doesn’t matter if it’s completely packed like right after work, or it’s near empty for a late nightcap. For the earlier cocktail hour, they bring out a complimentary flight of beautiful homemade canapés. It’s a good people-watching scene and they make a top martini.
Gym + Spa
Besides the rooms, my favorite aspect of the Bulgari Paris is their gym and spa. If I arrive in the morning and my room it’s quite ready, I’m happy to chill by the massive pool, pull the curtains around my cabana seat, and pass out. When the spa opens I always get a treatment that does more than surface level. They have sculpting treatments that put me in fighting shape for Fashion Week or just my hectic Parisian circuit. I do try to sneak in at least an afternoon to spend at the spa; it’s worth it.
Service
I didn’t expect it, but from my first visit, I had warm service. My visits to the Bulgari were not for work, but the team knows exactly who you are after check-in. For reservations, spa appointments, or questions, they already knew which room I was in and knew my name. I noticed it’s something they work on for all guests in the 76 rooms. That’s what I like so much about the Bulgari; it feels intimate and personalized. I often walked passed the reception and there was always a genuine greeting.
Overall: 8.6/10
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FAQs
Q: Where is the Bulgari Paris located?
A: The Bulgari Paris is located in the 8th Arrondissement on the Right Bank of Paris at 30 Av. George V, 75008 Paris, France.
Q: How many rooms does the Bulgari Paris have?
A: The Bulgari Paris has 76 rooms and suites and feels like an intimate boutique hotel. However, beyond the lobby area, bar, and Niko Romito restaurant, the spa is hidden away from view. The spa is more than double the size of the public spaces and is a hidden gem in the city.
Q: Does the Bulgari Paris have a restaurant?
A: The Bulgari Paris has the Italian restaurant Il Ristorante Niko Romito as well as the Bulgari Bar.
