My Palace Moment in Paris at Hôtel Plaza Athénée
On my most recent trip to Paris I had my very own “Sex and the City in Paris” moment. Looking over the City of Light from my balcony at the legendary Hôtel Plaza Athénée, just like Carrie Bradshaw. It definitely was a personal bucket-list moment!
Staying at this iconic hotel felt like stepping into a dream—one where elegance, history, and haute couture beautifully collide. Situated along the beautifully tree-lined Avenue Montaigne, Hôtel Plaza Athénée isn’t just a place to stay; it’s a true Parisian experience. The location is perfect — just a short walk from the Eiffel Tower, the Seine, Arc de Triomphe, and the Champs-Élysées.
Hôtel Plaza Athénée encompasses Parisian elegance at its best, and our room was definitely no exception. As soon as we stepped inside, the beautiful details, luxurious touches, and stunning elegance immediately stood out. But the moment that really took my breath away was stepping out onto our balcony as when I turned to the right, the Eiffel Tower appeared in the distance. It really was a such surreal experience and one that I will remember forever (it even brought tears to my eyes!).
The décor of the hotel is very luxurious while at the same time it feels effortlessly chic. It’s decorated in a classic but opulent Art Deco style with sparkling crystal chandeliers, marble floors, touches of silk, gold, and silver, and splashes of bright color. The hotel’s façade is instantly recognizable from a distance as it adorned with its signature red geraniums that give it an iconic charm.
The story behind the hotel’s iconic red geraniums dates back to the 1950’s, when French actor Jean Gabin asked the hotel concierge to decorate his balcony with 100 red roses in a romantic gesture to get the attention of actress Marlene Dietrich, who lived across the street. Although the romance faded a long time ago, the flowers have remained—and these flowers eventually evolved into the signature red geraniums that now hang from every balcony at Hotel Plaza Athénée, adding to the hotel's timeless charm.
The hotel has plenty of dining and bar options to choose from. Breakfast in the stylish Le Relais Plaza was the perfect start to our mornings (the croissants were amazing) and the service was wonderful – one our first morning I was fighting off a cold, so they brought me a honey and lemon drink with my breakfast which was most appreciated.
For dinner, Jean Imbert au Plaza Athénée is a must — it’s Michelin-starred and a great celebration of French food. The courtyard restaurant, La Cour Jardin, is a hidden oasis within the hotel, and there are also other lovely options including La Terrasse Montaigne, La Galerie, and Le Bar. We definitely needed a longer stay to try them all out!
On our first evening, we were still feeling quite tired from travelling so we decided on room service. It was definitely the best club sandwich I’ve ever had — and they somehow even made a sandwich feel deluxe!
What makes Hôtel Plaza Athénée even more special is its rare Palace Status — this is a level above five stars and is awarded to only a select few hotels in France. It is in the esteemed company of other legendary Parisian hotels like Le Bristol, Le Meurice, Hôtel de Crillon, and The Peninsula Paris (which I visited and also loved).
If you ever find yourself in Paris and want to truly indulge—whether for a romantic escape, a glamorous celebration, or just to feel like you’re in a movie—I can’t recommend Hôtel Plaza Athénée highly enough. It’s certainly is an experience you’ll never forget…
Jennie @ Deluxe Wanderlust xx
