For my birthday, and thanks to my Starwood points, I had the pleasure of staying for one night at the Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection hotel that recently reopened on avenue George V, a stone’s throw from the Champs-Elysées. Even if it does not have the palace label, this hotel deserves it, with its art-deco atmosphere and its discreet service. The result: a French experience and an environment of discreet luxury. Nothing to do with its too famous neighbor (The Four Seasons George V) invaded by noisy Americans or other middle-easterners.
Booking
The reservation was simply made through the Starwood Preferred Guest website, using an Award. The Prince of Wales is one of the highest category hotels, requiring 30,000 points in the off-season, as is already the case in September.
In addition, I used aSuite Night Award: this is an award offered by Starwood for Platinum members who reach 50 nights in a year – thus, 10 guaranteed suite upgrades are offered each year.
So before the stay, I discovered on the SPG app that I had been upgraded to the Makassar Suite, one of the highest categories in the hotel.
Arrival
We arrived by Uber in the late afternoon at the hotel. The doorman immediately took care of our luggage and took us to the reception.
The welcome was warm, but discreet: a subtle blend that only the best receptionists know how to handle.
Of course, my upgrade was confirmed ,and I chose the continental breakfast as a Platinum Starwood benefit.
However, I declined the offer of accompaniment to the suite, not being a great fanatic of this practice.
The hotel proactively confirmed the Late Check-out, and told me that if I needed to leave later than 4pm, it was “obviously possible”.
We were encouraged to use and give feedback on the Let’s Chat service recently implemented in the hotel.
Finally, the general manager came to greet us and give us his personal card.
Room
The assigned suite was located on the4th floor of the property, with a superb view of the Avenue George V, and, partially, of the Champs-Elysées.
The art-deco style is present from the moment you enter, with two-tone marble on the floor.
A first dressing room is available for the visitors of the suite essentially, and accessible by the entrance.
The living room is nicely decorated, in white and beige tones, with superb art-deco furniture, including a very well designed desk.
A minibar and an espresso machine are available.
The bedroom area is also very spacious and nicely decorated. The bed is extremely comfortable and its surroundings are equipped with all modern connectivity: USB ports and electrical outlets in sufficient number to recharge all one’ s devices.
A small office is also installed so that a second person can work more discreetly.
A second personal dressing room is accessible from the room.
Finally, the bathroom, huge as well, offers separate bath and shower. We regret that the toilet is integrated into the bathroom and separated only by a glass door that does not allow privacy filter, so use it to several occupants.
When I returned to my room after dinner,the hotel had surprised me with a beautiful pistachio-praline birthday cake, a handwritten note from the general manager and a beautiful bottle ofLaurent Perrier champagne.
Hotel facilities
We only used a few of the hotel’s facilities. Due to its old design, the hotel does not have a real spa, but Spa Suites with high quality treatments, which I did not have the chance to try.
So no swimming pool for the hotel’s guests.
On the other hand, the gym, located in the basement of the hotel is very well equipped.
To finish, a virtual tour in video:
Bar
The hotel has a bar located on the first floor. This bar overlooks a patio which is very pleasant in summer.
The bar, on the other hand, has remained in its original state with a very respectful renovation of the magnificent initial decoration work. The very competent bartender was able to fulfill our somewhat special request to replicate a cocktail made at another Luxury Collection establishment, the Grande Bretagne in Athens. Request fulfilled!
And perfect service, we were pampered by the staff who brought us various hot and cold accompaniments for our superb cocktails.
Restaurants
This is one of the strong points of the hotel: its starred restaurant, La Scène, led by chef Stéphanie Le Quellec.
I had the pleasure to be invited by my partner for my birthday, for dinner.
The restaurant is located on the first floor of the hotel and has about 50 seats spread over a dozen tables.
If the restaurant was almost empty at the time of our arrival, it filled up during the evening to be finally completely full.
The table is set with sobriety.
An amuse-bouche is served: a foie gras tartlet with mint jelly, to be shared among the guests.
The menu was then presented: we opted for the 5-course menu, sharing a plate of cheese, our favorite.
Of course, we are asked for our allergies and dislikes to avoid any mistakes.
The bread is then presented: a beautiful loaf coming out of the oven, and a huge lump of salted butter are brought. The salted butter is served in front of us.
Then comes the first dish;a mackerel consommé: delicacy in the tastes but especially in the cooking of the mackerel, sublime.
The second dish, frog legs, was exquisite, we would have had more!
Then comes the turn of the fish: a snacked cod, mustard cream sauce and rice foam.
Then the meat:a rib of beef, slow-cooked potatoes: everything melts in your mouth!
As an interlude, the cheese and the Cantal department were honored with an old cantal and a sumptuous Laguiole.
Before the grand finale, a pre-dessert: pear sorbet, lace of crepe.
Then the dessert, the real one,a vanilla opaline like a Norwegian omelette: a delight. And with a little surprise, all in discretion.
To finish the meal, a watermelon post-dessert, and some sweets which made the happiness of my companion.
Finally, a word about the breakfast: the continental breakfast is offered free of charge to SPG Platinum members, although this definition varies from hotel to hotel. At the Prince de Galles, this is the entire buffet, with any hot items ordered being charged extra.
I let you make an idea by yourselves of the quality of the elements of the buffet…
Nevertheless, and because we don’t stay in a Parisian palace every day, we decided to treat ourselves… And to order scrambled eggs with truffles. A delight that you won’t regret.
Departure
The departure formalities were quick and efficient: all the staff greeted us as they should!
Conclusion
A hotel that deserves its 5 stars – Luxury and a palace appellation as its elegance and discretion make it a nugget much more beautiful than those who claim this appellation today in Paris.
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