Sherman's Travel

As one of six so-called “palace” hotels in Paris – which go beyond even the elite 5-star standard – Hotel Le Bristol (www.lebristolparis.com) exudes opulence from its very core. From its beginnings as a glamorous 18th-century residence to its opening as a hotel in 1925 to today, the Le Bristol offers an exemplary level of service that one would expect from such a prestigious (and pricey) establishment.

Not content to rest on its laurels, Le Bristol pumps in 5 million euros each year for renovations. The hotel opened a new wing in 2009 with 26 rooms and suites plus a new brasserie restaurant, 114 Faubourg (more on that later). Next up, Le Bristol will double the size of its French-style spa as well as create a permanent home off the central courtyard garden for its 3-Michelin-starred Gastronomic Restaurant, which formerly rotated between two locations for summer and winter; the restaurant will be complete by July 2011.

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