The demolition party that went down at the The Hotel Royal Monceau in Paris wasn't just any old party. This is Paris after all and the hotel managed to make their demolition artistic by inviting 25 contemporary artists and celebs to "artistically ruin" the hotel rooms on the third floor.
On hand for the crazy/beautiful destruction were Kanye West, Jude Law, and 18-year-old internet celebrity Cory Kennedy.
"I'm gonna smash everything," yelled Cory Kennedy, rushing into Andre and Olympia Scarry's all-black room, fitted out with battered couches and a giant disco ball. Kanye West, who roamed the corridors with a bemused-looking Yves Carcelle, said that trashing hotel rooms was old hat. "Yeah, you know, the usual throwing the telly out of the window type of thing," he said.
The AFP has a more detailed report of the party, including the fun fact that Madonna's "Justify My Love" video was shot here in the hotel.
The Hotel Royal Monceau in Paris has had some issues, to say the least, over the past few years. From booting out guests to playing hot potato with luxury brands, the historic hotel has seen far too many ups and downs.
But all that is in the past now as the hotel readies for a complete overhaul and a new look from Philippe Starck. As a way to clean house, the hotel held an auction of its furniture and now they are letting guests demolish whatever is left behind.
So you want free WiFi when you stay in a luxury hotel huh? Good luck! Send us a post card via FedEx overnight instead, it's sooo much cheaper than paying to send an email from your room. Unless you're staying at the Hotel de Crillon in Paris that is.
If you've been following our Best & Worst Wi-Fi Hotel Stories from the past few weeks, the overwhelming consensus is any hotel that costs more than $150 a night charges for WiFi, whereas any hotel UNDER $150 usually throws it in for nothing.
Hey, those luxury hotels do give you Premium internet access for the $24.95 you pay - it lets you feel like you're worth a million bucks while you browse the internet... Ok, maybe not - you just feel like you were robbed.
But! If you stay at the Hotel de Crillon in Paris--a six-star hotel which has been rated as the nicest and most exclusive hotel in the world--they'll throw in free WiFi during your stay! Thats free WiFi in the lobby, in your room, in the ballroom, in the bar, and in the bathroom!
Since we can't afford to stay at the Hotel Bristol ourselves, we asked the off-the-record advice of a friendly businessman who stays there regularly for conferences. He had a lot to say about the hotel's style, location and dining which we've recapitulated below for you. Enjoy.
The Hotel Plaza Athénée - we don't know for sure, but it's a good bet Brit singer Amy Winehouse stayed here last week for her brief appearance at the opening of the luxe Fendi boutique in Paris.
Amy isn't known for her love of exercise, and the Plaza Athénée is right opposite the new branch of the designer boutique on Paris's most exclusive street, Avenue Montaigne. It's part of Paris's Golden Triangle, so-called because you can only stay or shop there (Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Armani, Christian Dior, Prada, Valentino etc) if everything you touch turns to gold.
The Athénée has a all-star guest list: Cameron Diaz, Johnny Depp, Leonardo di Caprio, Beyoncé,and of course Carrie Bradshaw. Not to mention all the other ones who won't give their name.
The Four Seasons George V, arguably one of Paris' finest hotels favored amongst royalty, celebs and billionaires, may just be more affordable for the little people.
Courtney May over at Five-Star Alliance let us know that the hotel is offering rooms for certain dates for 310 Euros a night (about $460 USD). Normally rates are closer to $1,000. Here are some of the dates that Courtney found:
· January 5 - January 7, 2008 · January 25 - January 27, 2008 · April 19 - April 21, 2008 · April 16 - April 25, 2008
These rates can be booked on the Five-Star Alliance site and so far, this is the only site with these rates. Whether it's a special deal with Five-Star or if the hotel is set to undergo some construction this spring, we aren't sure. But if you find more low rates at the George V, of course mon ami fill us in.
Thanks to a tipster who wants to remain anonymous, thus we are calling him E.T., there is some drama going down at the Royal Monceau Hotel in Paris that involves a game of hot potato with a bunch of luxury chains. Last we heard of the hotel, they were booting out guests. Here in E.T.'s very own words is a description of what else is going down.
Seems the Royal Monceau saga is not finished yet - I had heard the rumor before, but now it is official: from 2008 onwards, it will be Raffles Royal Monceau. A press release is on the Raffles website. It also talks at length about the 'rebirth' of the Royal Monceau and how it is scheduled for renovation in 2008. Wait, didn't it renovate already at the time that Mandarin Oriental was planning on integrating this property in their portfolio?
With Bastille Day approaching our thoughts have turned to Paris once more. While some of our favorite spots (the Louvre, the Rodin museum and the Versailles palace) close up shop on this French national holiday, there are plenty of other things going on, and one interesting place to be is on the Champs Elysees where the huge military parade takes place.
One tip for the Bastille Day weekend--with rooms still available for Saturday night starting at €400 ($545)--is the Radisson SAS Hotel Champs Elysees. The location is great, just off the Champs Elysees, with views to both the Arc d'Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower from some rooms (or for people with long necks). They offer a deal with guaranteed Arc d'Triomphe views and with English breakfast included, so check if they're available (even if, like us, you're not so keen on the English breakfast idea).
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by juliana
