Couples Travel

Inside the Most Romantic Hotel in Paris

Where to stay for a getaway for two.

May 15, 2019

Ah, Paris—is there anything unromantic about this city? That said, nothing ruins an amorous getaway quite like a lesser-than hotel experience. Enter Le Bristol: With its serene pool, lush garden, and Michelin-starred dining, it's little wonder why our readers rated this circa-1925 stunner the City of Light's most romantic hideaway in the Readers' Choice Awards.

Claire Cocano/Courtesy Le Bristol Paris
Le Bristol's 190 post-renovation rooms and suites strike a fresh blend between classic and modern: Louis XV and Louis XVI furniture mingles with pastel bedspreads, while towering windows let in light that brings the delicate woodwork into high relief. Inside the Royal Suites, you'll also find a dedicated dining space, where you and 11 of your closest friends—or just the two of you—can enjoy chef Eric Frechon's gastronomic cuisine.
Courtesy Le Bristol Paris
Le Bristol's sixth-floor indoor pool feels like a hidden treasure—and the views over Montmartre and the Eiffel Tower make it doubly so. Head up for an early morning swim, when the light is at its best, or a late-night splash when you can take in the twinkling of the world's most famous landmark. It's nice to know that even if you never set foot outside the hotel, it still offers plenty of ways for the two of you to experience this magical city together.

Claire Cocano/Le Bristol Paris
There's nothing we love more than seriously beautiful hotel wallpaper. Some of Le Bristol's Saint-Honoré suites are practically wrapped in the stuff, creating a floral world far from chaotic boulevards, crowded cafés, and museum lines. And these digs feature more than just a double sink: there are two bathrooms, too, for your preening pleasure.
Claire Cocano/Courtesy Le Bristol Paris
Le Bristol's Panoramic Suite is, fittingly, all about the views: from the terrace, you can take in some of the city's most iconic sights, from Montmartre's Sacré Cœur to the Palais Garnier opera house, all from the comfort of your bathrobe. Outfitted in shades of celadon green, ivory, and honey, and stocked with stately Louis XV furniture, the digs were renovated back in 2014; in 2011, its rooms were featured in a little film called Midnight in Paris in 2011. Maybe you've heard of it?

Claire Cocano/Courtesy Le Bristol Paris
Bigger doesn't always mean better—take it from Le Bristol's Deluxe rooms. If you and yours are planning to spend more time weaving through the city's galleries and less time with your feet up, these 485-square-foot jewel boxes, outfitted in fabrics by the likes of Pierre Frey, Miguel Canovas, and Brunschwig & Fils, and with views into the courtyard or over the neighboring rue du Faubourg-Saint Honoré, are a fabulous choice.
Claire Cocano/Courtesy Le Bristol Paris
As if 3,230 square feet of living, sleeping, and dining space weren't enough, the Royal Suite's bathroom is a work of art all on its own, with pale Carrara marble coating the floors and making up the standalone tub—the perfect place for a long soak after a treatment at the Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie. Guests will also find a separate shower and two sinks—the ultimate antidote to romantic skirmishes.

Courtesy Le Bristol Paris
Nothing says romance quite like a three-Michelin-starred meal at Epicure. Under the stewardship of chef Eric Frechon, even a simple weekday dinner becomes an elegant, multi-course gastronomic experience at this freshly renovated temple of fine dining. Of special note are the macaroni stuffed with black truffle, artichoke, and duck foie gras, and the wild turbot pan-fried with smoked bacon and pepper. Hey, you're on vacation.
Claire Cocano/Courtesy Le Bristol Paris
With views over the hotel's nearly 13,000-square-foot French garden or its whisper-quiet inner courtyard, and French master paintings gazing down from the walls, Le Bristol's Deluxe suites offer yet another ideal pad for relaxation-seeking couples. Bring a book (or that stack of New Yorkers you haven't cracked open yet) and lounge about in the suite's designated sitting area before hitting the hotel's Michelin-starred 114 Faubourg brasserie for dinner.