Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie, Paris
“Loafing needs no explanation and is its own excuse,” the American writer Christopher Morley once said. Wise words Mr Morley, words I kept in mind when I booked a signature massage at the Spa Le Bristol…
Browsing: Paris
Southbank Sizzles: Forever Crazy
“The diamante curtain sweeps aside to open with all dazzlingly beautiful members of the 10 girl dance troupe performing the number God Save Our Bareskins.” Le Crazy Horse Paris trots into London…
Le Castille, Paris
‘Please don’t say I work hard. Nobody is forced to do this job and if they don’t like it, they should do another one.’ These words are not the bossy but ultimately modest utterance of your correspondent, but those of Karl Lagerfeld…
Le Cinq
“The first round of amuse bouche were effortlessly placed before us by the smiling and tactful waiting staff, gliding gracefully around the dining room like ballerinas on a merry-go-round.”
Hotel George V, Paris
Having fantasised about the meandering streets of Paris whilst reading French literature, and having fallen asleep listening to Peter Sarstedt singing ‘Where do you go to my lovely?’, I had arrived – and this was really arriving.
Spa Struck: Villa Majestic in Paris
It was a beautiful warm and sunny day. I had just washed my hair and…
Hôtel du Nord, Paris
“More than the rustic façade of this understated restaurant lets on, the Hôtel du Nord isn’t your average Parisian bistro, but is a rare piece of French film history.” Rooksana investigates…
Experimental Exports to New York
Whether he’s spreading the jolly spirit of Hendrick’s Gin, or popping in to say “salut” at the ECC bars in Paris and London, Xavier Padovani is always on. And now he’s on in New York, opening the new ECC on Lower East Side.
Simply the ‘Best’
I’m not interested in the best restaurant on a budget or the world’s coolest or most democratic. I’m looking at the idea of the ‘best’, something that pulls at the heart strings, shocks, delights and nurtures in equal measure.
Camélia, Paris
Camélia, the restaurant at France’s first Mandarin Oriental in Paris, is a cocoon from the commerce and costly shine alongside the hotel’s Saint-Honoré entrance. Douglas enjoys a memorable birthday lunch.
Afternoon Tea at La Galerie
It was time to give the cucumber sandwiches a break; we resolved to try the unique ‘thé complet à la française’, French-style afternoon tea, composed of savoury treats such as fois gras with apricot chutney…
Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris
“We’ll always have Paris.” But which Paris? There’s always been the awe that comes from the tower, pleasures of the Louvre and the gentle cushioning of crepes, but it’s never been anything like this…