Home & Away with Robert Walshe
www.robertwalshe.com
Weekend Hotspot – Shangri-la Paris
In the shadow of the Eiffel Tower in one of Paris’ most beloved neighbourhoods the exquisite. Shangri-la Hotel occupies an elegant 1896 palace that was once home to Prince Roland Bonaparte the emperor Napoleon’s grandnephew. After undergoing a four-year renovation, designer Pierre-Yves Rochon and his craftsmen restored this palatial property to its former glory. Passing through original iron gates, guests arrive in a small, protected
Restaurant L’Abeille.
courtyard under a restored glass porte cochère. Two Ming Dynasty inspired vases flank the entryway and set the tone from the outset for Asia-meets Paris elegance. Bathed in natural light, the hotel lobby features high ceilings and refurbished marble while imperial insignias and ornate monograms of the Bonaparte family integrated into the architecture, are complemented with Asian influence in the decor. The grand curved staircase is a definite showstopper with a cast iron and marble stairs. A discovery took place upon
renovating the dropped ceiling of a conference room, revealing a magnificent glass and steel structure embedded in the rooftop. Most bedrooms and suites have access to a balcony or terrace offering stunning views. All rooms complimented by rich textured fabrics and velvets feature refrigerators, minibars, and espresso makers along with relaxing touches in bathrooms including rainfall showers, deep soaking tubs, designer toiletries and bathrobes. Guests can dine at three impressive Michelinstarred restaurants Shang Palace, La Bauhinia & two star “L’Abeille” where executive chef Christophe Moret offers mouth watering French Haute Cuisine with subtle & delicate flavours. Shangri-la Paris is also a magical setting to hold your dream wedding managing to blend oriental design with classic French decor. Three superb signature suites are perfect for intimate receptions. The hotel has four reception rooms that can be fully privatised to host up to 500 people for a cocktail reception, 280 people for a sit-down dinner and 150 people for a dance
(074) 9131018
www.keeshotel.ie
party. Its first-floor terrace with a magnificent view of the Eiffel Tower – possibly one of the finest in Paris – can also be made available for private functions. “Chi” the spa at Shangri-la has a 15metre-long swimming pool and treatments to pamper the bride and groom in preparation for the big day. A number of personalized options are Duplex night also available includShangri La Ho tel Paris. RIGH Shangri-La Ho ing arranging the T: Historical St tel, Paris. aircase bridal bouquet and groom’s buttonhole to bridal party beauty services (makeup, hair & mani- du Trocadero, on the Chail- Asian hospitality. For best cure). A dedicated wedding lot Hill. The Triangle d’Or, rates visit www.shangri-la. consultant and staff with a the Champs Elysées, and a com/paris Easyjet operates flair for French- Asian hos- myriad of luxury boutiques daily flights from Belfast pitality are at your service and museums are also just a International airport while throughout the event. For stone’s throw away. Art lov- Aer Lingus & Cityjet offer a your dream honeymoon ers will enjoy the treasures of number of daily services ex after the ceremony in Paris the Palais Galliera, Palais de Dublin to Paris Charles De the Shangri-la team will work Tokyo, Museum of Man, Mu- Gaulle. with you to craft every un- seum of Modern Art and the Robert Walshe is a travel forgettable detail in the most Marmottan Monet Museum. broadcaster with Q Radio romantic city in the world. Now the most luxurious pal- Network and Travel Editor The property is also centrally ace hotel in the French capi- for River Media newspalocated in the 16th arrondis- tal, Shangri-La Paris flawlessly per titles across the island sement, just minutes from combines a French “joie de of Ireland. www.robertwthe Place des Etats-Unis, the vivre” with world standard alshe.com Place d’Iéna and the Place