HotelChatter - Tag: France Hotels

Paris: The Shangri-La Paris Gently Hints At Its Asian Roots

Heidi Atwal — 2012-01-25T13:19:46-05:00

As we previously reported, The Shangri-La Hotel in Paris was once the residence of Napolean's grandnephew, Prince Roland Bonaparte. This week, The Independent showed up to give the sprawling estate the once-over. Four stars were awarded for the rooms, and (somewhat oddly) value, and an impressive five stars for service, making this newcomer to the City of Lights a serious contender on the luxury scene.

No stars were awarded for Horse-Drawn Carriage-ness. Oh, wait, that's not actually a category. Though, any hotel would be wise to include horse-drawn carriages as couples start seeking the most romantic spots for next month's V-day.

Paris: Could an Olympics Hotel Showdown be Brewing Between London and Paris?

Heidi Atwal — 2012-01-24T12:15:08-05:00

Paris may have lost the 2005 Olympics bid to London, but the City of Light and Louis Vuitton is hoping to hand their 'cross-the-Chunnel metropolitan peers their comeuppance by stealing away tourists come summertime. According to a recently published report by express.co.uk, Pair-ee is being touted the " 'cheaper, safer and more attractive" alternative city from which to watch the 2012 Games.

Antibes: This Will Make You Think Twice Before Paying Cash For Your Next Hotel Stay

ASchechter — 2011-12-21T10:44:05-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/61268/100_0757.JPG" class="top">Ah, the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Hotel+Du+Cap+Eden+Roc/local/519">Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc</a>. Its very name conjures images of sailboats on the French Riviera, pristine terry cloth robes, and <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2011/5/17/115839/274/hotels/Leonardo_DiCaprio_Rebounds_with_Blake_Lively_at_the_Hotel_du_Cap_Eden_Roc">Leonardo DiCaprio</a> sunning himself by the infinity pool. One thing the idyllic hotel does not usually get associated with is fraud. According to the <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2076572/Riviera-hotel-boss-Jean-Claude-Irondelle-defrauding-taxman.html">Daily Mail</a>, Jean-Claude Irondelle is being accused of "misappropriating" over EUR 740,000 eurosand that's just between 2003-2006. In total, it is unknown how much Irondelle may or may not have slipped into a separate account for himself during his 50-year run. But a big piece of the puzzle lies in the fact that Irondelle frequently accepted payments in cash directly from the big A-listers that stayed the hotel, seeking VIP

Paris: Click-Clack-Clomp Your Way Through Paris On a Horse-Drawn Carriage

Heidi Atwal — 2011-12-15T16:00:01-05:00

Thanks to the Shangri-La, Paris can add more reserves to its romantic cache. If strolling the City of Lights' snowy streets this holiday isn't enough to sate your taste for the maudlin, guests of the hotel can book a horse drawn carriage ride from December 23-27.

The tour will take you and your S.O. to the Trocadero, located across the Seine and providing prime views of the Eiffel Tower for you and your sweetheart to "ooh" and "aah" over with delight. Shangri-La's old-fashioned carriage—a white stunner complete with top hat-clad driver—is perhaps the closest some may get to feeling like Cinderella, without fear of the equine-led ride turning into a pumpkin at midnight.

Woosh, Woosh! Get Your (Apres) Ski On at These Three Euro Resorts

Heidi Atwal — 2011-12-08T16:18:42-05:00

While it's possible to find passable skiing conditions any time of year, depending on location, it's winter time that ski aficionados spend the year anticipating with zeal. Europe, with its bounty of snowy climes, is home to some of the world's best and most exclusive ski chalets—locations that provide near perfect powdery conditions for "woosh-wooshing" downhill.

We've sussed out some of the continent's most luxurious ski hotels for this feature; they're places you can kick back with spiked hot cocoa if you so choose, yet still get you up close and personal with slopeside action. Take note, Jonny Moseley-types.