I’m involved in a lifetime love affair with Paris. I’ve been visiting the City of Light since childhood and have stayed at scores of hotels ranging from boutique properties on residential streets so peaceful that the only noise is church bells to busy airport hotels that make it easy to catch early morning flights.
On my most recent visit, I was in town for only a few days. I wanted to maximize my fun time and minimize my time in traffic or on the crowded Metro. So I leaned into a “location is everything” philosophy and booked a room at the Paris Marriott Champs Elysees, the only 5-star luxury hotel located on this grande dame of boulevards.
The Champs-Élysées is one of the most famous avenues in the world. Stretching just over a mile in length, it’s bookended by two important monuments, the Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde. In between, you’ll find museums, Michelin-starred restaurants, cafes, and shops. It offers nonstop action with a dash of Parisian je ne sais quoi thrown in for good measure.
Here’s what it was like to stay in the very epicenter of Paris.
First impressions
From the moment I stepped inside, the Paris Marriott Champs Elysees packed a visual punch. The elevator will whisk you from the street level up to the lobby but I couldn’t resist making an entrance and walking up the majestic marble staircase that looked regal enough for royalty.
Even in my jet-lagged state, my bleary eyes couldn’t believe how elegant the lobby was. Situated inside a glass dome that bathes the interior with natural light, it was surprisingly calm and quiet, especially considering the bustling location.
I made my way to reception, where I was thrilled to hear that my room was ready even though it was a few hours before the official check-in time. Would I like a cup of coffee or tea before heading upstairs? After a Trans-Atlantic night flight, I wasn’t going to pass up caffeine.
I waited for my café crème perched on a tasteful sofa. I soaked in the scenery, including a living wall of hanging greenery tumbling down from the top of the glass atrium.
Sipping my beverage, it was impossible not to notice that the hotel exudes French chic, fitting for a building that was formerly Maison Vuitton’s flagship and the atelier of ready-to-wear clothing designer Jenny Sacerdote.
I’m a big fan of pre-existing structures that have been re-purposed while preserving their architectural integrity. Discrete signs of the hotel’s heritage, including a façade bearing the Vuitton inscription and gold leaf details, were revealed by the time I finished my coffee.
A guest room with a view
My room was as chic as the lobby.
There are 192 contemporary rooms–58 are suites–in a variety of configurations, including suites large enough for a family of six. Décor is modern and favors soft tones that are restful without veering into flat. Black-and-white geometric area rugs allow the oak parquet floors to peek out.
All accommodations have characteristic high ceilings and sleek bathrooms with marble accents and either a walk-in shower or soaking tub. Quality bed linens atop a plush mattress and a Nespresso coffee maker were welcome perks. Decorative accents like containers shaped like hat boxes offered subtle nods to the building’s former life in fashion.
My favorite part of my room wasn’t even inside the room; it was the compact wrought-iron balcony. It had a view of the Eiffel Tower, one of the most recognizable structures in the world and the symbol of Paris (see my photo of the view from my room at the top of this article). I met a couple in the lobby who had a view of the Arc de Triomphe from their room; not too shabby either.
Dining that lives up to its location
As a person who lives to eat, Paris is my dream destination. And on this trip, I didn’t need to leave the hotel to eat well.
An impressive morning buffet is served at Jenny’s. A selection of buttery French pastries is baked in-house and offered alongside an international buffet of cheeses, charcuterie, seasonal fresh fruit, and much more. I’m a fan of breakfast but even if you’re not an early bird, this bountiful and beautifully-presented morning meal should entice you out of bed.
The lush garden setting at Cira is the perfect canvas for a flavor-packed Mediterranean meal. Located in the hotel’s tranquil internal courtyard, it transcends urban hustle and demonstrates how Parisians are creatively transforming under-utilized spaces into open-air dining venues.
I dined on slow-cooked lamb shoulder seasoned with a bouquet of fresh Provencal herbs, plus a delicate salad of baby gem lettuce. A glass of rose tasted like summer in a bottle. I enjoyed my meal surrounded by olive trees with sun umbrellas providing shade.
Stellar service
As a travel writer, I stay at dozens of hotels each year. What I’ve come to appreciate most is an exceptional staff. Every single employee I encountered, from the front desk to the Clefs d’Or Concierge to the housekeeper who did the nightly turndown service, treated me with genuine warmth and hospitality.
An enviable location close to everything
The Paris Marriott Champs Elysees puts top sites at your fingertips. I strolled over to the Jardin des Tuileries, a classic French-style garden with manicured flowerbeds and perfectly trimmed lawns. A maze and carousel are some of its whimsical diversions. And it was an easy walk to Fluctuart, a unique urban art center floating in the Seine.
I crossed the Seine and walked approximately 20 minutes to the Rodin Museum. The spring weather was so glorious, I spent my entire visit in the garden appreciating several of Rodin’s masterpieces, including The Thinker, nestled among flowers, plants, and trees.
Staying in such a central location made getting where I needed to go a breeze. On my next visit, you’ll know where to find me.
