The Peninsula Paris – Hotel Review

You’d be forgiven for switching on your out of office auto-reply after gliding through the revolving doors at this luxury 8th arrondissement hotel. Yet, business and pleasure carry on seamlessly at The Peninsula Paris, from the express check in and out, to the office spaces and smart technology in each of the 200 elegant rooms and suites. Read on for the full review.

A table at the French fine diner L’oiseau Blanc, with its views across the rooftops to the Eiffel Tower, will seal the trickiest deal and if history is any guide, Le Bar Kléber is an auspicious setting for negotiations: The Paris Peace Accords were signed within the oak-panelled lounge in 1973. Behind its classical Haussmanian façade, the property is contemporary and offers guests every convenience alongside the luxurious touches and exceptional service The Peninsula Hotel group is renowned for.

Where is The Peninsula Paris?

Standing proud on Avenue Kléber, one of the grand roads that fan out from the Arc de Triomphe, the hotel is about a half-hour drive from Orly and Charles du Gaulle airports. Kléber metro stop is on the same block and it’s an easy and pretty 30-minute stroll across the Seine to Tour Eiffel. 

What's near The Peninsula Paris?

There are ample bistros, bars, boulangeries and shopping spots (including along the Champs Elysees) within a few blocks. The big-ticket items of the Arc du Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower are both within walking distance, at five and 25 minutes away, respectively.

Room types

Offering hushed respite from the city, 200 generously proportioned rooms and suites are decorated in a neutral palette of creams, greys and dark wood tones. Plush beds with luxury linens, marble bathrooms, cosy sitting areas, coffee and tea facilities, workspaces and Oscar de la Renta amenities are standard across all room categories, from the smallest – Deluxe rooms are 35-50 square metres – to the Peninsula Suite, bigger than most Paris apartments at 318 square metres. Suites are more ornate than other rooms, decorated in Belle Époque splendour with chandeliers, art collections, grand pianos and unique colour palettes, and boasting the property’s best views.

Restaurants and bars

Breakfast is anything but ordinary when taken at a white-linen-clothed table at The Peninsula’s ornate Le Lobby restaurant. Resplendent with chandeliers, gilt-panelled walls, potted palms and plush armchairs, the room ensures every meal feels like a celebration. Choose from the buffet or order a la carte options such as omelettes, pastries, coffee and fresh juice; alternatively, pop in at any time you’re peckish as Le Lobby offers all-day dining and a special afternoon tea service. Lili is the hotel’s contemporary Cantonese diner and offers an exotic alternative to the sophisticated French fare served at rooftop fine diner and bar, L’Oiseau Blanc, which must be one of the most memorable places to celebrate a special occasion in the City of Light. For a nightcap or cocktails, oak-panelled Bar Kléber offers unmatched old-world elegance.   

Travel for work

From its large-scale function spaces to desks in every guest room, The Peninsula is well set up for the corporate crowd. The hotel also has a 24-hour business centre and business concierge to assist with bookings and other advice. There is also the option to hire computer and other IT equipment.

Pool, gym and spa

Use of the hotel’s swimming pool and fitness centre – equipped with cardio and weight machines, plus trainers to guide you – is complimentary for all guests and open from 6.30am until 10pm. For sublime indulgence, head to the Asian-inspired spa for a beauty treatment (we recommend the blissful 90-minute aromatherapy massage) or to unwind and recharge in the sauna or the two vitality pools. 

Sustainability

The hotel’s approach to sustainability extends from bathroom amenities (petroleum, 99.9% plastic-free goodies) through to ingredient sourcing (cage-free eggs, shark fin bans and sustainably-sourced coffee). There’s also a commitment to a 55% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, which the hotel is working towards.

Accessibility

Accessible rooms are available across a number of categories.

What you need to know

Dinner at L’Oiseau Blanc restaurant, watching the Eiffel Towel twinkling in the distance, is an extraordinary Paris experience (with two Michelin stars to its name, advance booking is crucial). 

SEE ALSO: 11 Ways to Experience Another Side of Paris