Hotel des Tuileries ★★★★

The Hotel des Tuileries is in the perfect place for a weekend break, right in the centre of Paris in its first arrondissement, where my husband and I imagined that, that was where Paris began. All the sights were within walking distance, the Louvre, Concorde, Rue du Rivoli and more! Plus, surrounding us was an array of brasseries, bistrots and restaurants to keep our mouths occupied with the divine flavours of French cuisine.

Talking about divine, this was the word that came immediately to mind when we arrived at the Hotel des Tuileries. The 18th century exterior is grand and detailed with a line of balconies and hanging leafy green plants. Before we came we read that this historic site was the property of Marie-Antoinette’s first lady-in-waiting and that’s why the rooms, only 24 of them, are named after her ladies-in-waiting. We liked the idea of staying at this small but classically Parisian hotel which radiated an air of charm and relaxation, yet still was planted in the centre of Paris.

We were pleasantly greeted by the hotel staff, which can sometimes be a surprise depending on who you have encountered in the capital, and my husband sorted out the reservation whilst I made myself comfortable in the pastel coloured lounge. The hotel had a delightful feel and décor about it, mixing boutique design with classic features.  We followed the patterned carpets up to our room, up the enchanting spiral staircases whilst spotting the old fashioned portraits that were dotted about the place.

Our superior room was decorated in neutral whites, silvers and blacks with a sleek finish. It included a desk, small table and arm chair, small but charming for our weekend stay. The bathroom was simple yet immaculately kept with a bathtub and showerhead. We didn’t settle long before we decided to set off to find a nearby delicious restaurant to satisfy those hunger pangs with succulent French cuisine. Our evening ended with a walk around Concorde at night time watching the pretty, glittering lights of the busy crossroads, no wonder Paris is called the City of Light! We counted the lights like one counts stars and began deciding what we would do with our next day; what lay before us were endless possibilities. Even though I used to live in this divine city I still hadn’t seen so many things and I definitely needed to revisit le Louvre, Notre Dame, or maybe have a shopping trip on the Rue de Rivoli. Also, since my delight in French food never fades, I was looking forward to some delicious French meals that were just bursting with flavour.

The next day we awoke to a bountiful buffet breakfast with a selection of breads, cold meats, cheeses; a glorious French affair! I delighted in a deliciously flaky croissant followed by a cheeky pain au chocolat. If there is a French pastry I can never resist it must be the French pain au chocolat! My husband tucked into the cold meats and breads, tied together by a strong French coffee. The breakfast room continued the décor of the rest of the hotel, yet with a modern and sleek finish. After filling our stomachs for our busy day we ventured out…
I must fervently agree with Audrey Hepburn on this one, yes, Paris is always a good idea.