Heiress Barbara Hutton used to arrive with her own satin sheets. Today's roster might list Harrison Ford or Jack Nicholson, Michael Jackson or the king and queen of Spain. All 211 rooms and suites in the hotel face either onto the chic bustle of the Avenue Montaigne or onto the spectacular, ivy-walled courtyard, with its window boxes dripping with red geraniums. Gina Lollabrigida's favorite is a junior suite in pale yellow and powder blue. Presidential Suite 309-310 is immense, all gold and white, with crystal chandeliers and red velvet sofa and chairs.
Standard doubles are usually quite spacious, if a bit more simply furnished.
Television sets and other audiovisual equipment are hidden in damask-covered round tables and will rise up for use at the simple push of a button. From the busboy to the head concierge, everyone has a direct financial interest in keeping the clientele happy and the guest register full. Judy Fayard is a writer who makes her home in Paris. All Rights Reserved. All Rights Reserved.