It is impossible not to fall in love in Paris and with Paris, especially in the springtime. Romance is tangible. The air is cool and fragrant as blooming chestnut trees form a canopy over many side streets and flowers spill from window boxes and gardens. Couples stroll along the Seine River hand in hand. Patrons linger at sidewalk cafes and bistros sipping wine or espressos. And, at dusk the “City of Light” becomes even more romantic as a myriad of tiny white lights glittering like diamonds beneath the starlit sky cover the Eiffel Tower and other major monuments.
A visit to Paris deserves a luxury boutique hotel that reflects the ambiance of the city without the crowds of large, impersonal hotels. When a sense of place, privacy and pleasure are important, the small luxury Hotel Raphael is a perfect setting. Owned by the Baverez family for generations and a member of the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World collection, this intimate five-star hotel is reminiscent of an exclusive private club or small palace where guests are treated like royalty. Within sight of the Arc de Triomphe and only steps away from Avenue Champs-Elysées, Hotel Raphael is in the heart of shopping, fine restaurants and sightseeing; yet inside its walls, the chaos and crowds of the city seem far away.
Each of Hotel Raphael’s guestrooms and suites are uniquely decorated reflecting the art de vivre (art of life) in Paris. The smallest details are meticulously managed. Sumptuous baths feature romantic footed tubs and colorful tile murals that are works of art. Suites located on the top floor offer panoramic views of Paris. A rooftop restaurant open from May through September offers daytime dining in a lush garden setting with Paris at your feet. La Salle a Manager, the Raphael’s award-winning gourmet restaurant, serves classical French cuisine complemented with a selection of fine wines. And, when it is time to venture outside of Hotel Raphael to see the city, an entire team of Clef d’ Or Concierges are at hand to ensure that a Paris stay is unforgettable.
