New York, New York – Reported by Elite Traveler, the private jet lifestyle magazine
Bound for Paris in the months ahead? There are really only two places to stay, and they’re both among the premier properties of the Dorchester Collection. Le Meurice and Hôtel Plaza Athénée have already geared up for spring and summer, introducing a host of seasonal enticements from decadent desserts to stylish street transportation and a pair of guest rooms so dolled up they’d make Barbie blush. For a peek at how the hotels are brightening the City of Light, read on:
Guilt-Free Discovery, at Le Meurice: After introducing the joys of a Parisian bicycle ride to its guests, Le Meurice is staying green and introducing its new complimentary scooter to experience the streets of Paris in style. Recently introduced by the historic address on rue de Rivoli, each of the hotel’s nine scooters is perfectly adapted to its urban environment, with sleek design, smooth steering and pistachio green paint. Adjustable columns assure a perfect fit for riders tall and small, and non-skid boards are decorated with the footprints of the hotel’s mascot, Pistache. Available to borrow from the Concierge, Le Meurice scooters are the perfect way to explore nearby cycle paths on the way to discovering Paris.
Dropping the Flowerbomb, at Le Meurice: In celebration of their partnership with fashion designers Viktor & Rolf for the fifth anniversary of their bestselling perfume, Flowerbomb, Le Meurice has fashioned a truly unique dessert. Executive Chef Yannick Alléno, Executive Pastry Chef Camille Lesecq and famed perfumer Oliver Polge present “My Sweet Flowerbomb,” the sweetly scented cake that recreates the perfume’s multi-layered experience for the palate. The dessert is presented as a pink cube stamped with an irresistible dark chocolate Viktor & Rolf seal surrounding a mille-feuille of colors and flavors in the flowery tones of the fragrance. Green tea sponge cake contrasts with chips of praline biscuit. And the surprises keep coming as you take a bite: It literally fizzes in the mouth into an explosion of sensations thanks to a secret sugar recipe.
Drink to This, at Le Meurice: Regain vitality, happiness, fitness and beauty with a Le Meurice Tonic at Bar 228, part of the hotel’s new spring green menu. The lip-smacking mocktail combines fresh pineapple juice and spirulina, an algae with a natural history dating back 3 billion years and a provenance in the Andes, where plentiful sunshine encourages photosynthesis to optimize vitamins. Created by William Oliveri, Head Barman at Bar 228, Le Meurice Tonic is 100% natural, free of additives, preservatives and coloring, and it tastes great! .
Be it Ever So Barbie, at Hôtel Plaza Athénée: For the first time in France, Hôtel Plaza Athénée on Avenue Montaigne is offering the best Barbie accessories yet — two guest rooms completely made over like a little girl’s dream in Barbie’s favorite colors with exclusively signed furniture and accessories galore. Guests ages three to 16 will feel like princesses amid enchanting décor and will receive a very special Barbie-inspired gift. Don’t dawdle: The Barbie rooms will only be available from August 6 through September 2, 2010.
Al Fresco Dining at its Best: Summer’s on its way and Plaza Athénée&rsquos garden courtyard, La Cour Jardin, now beckons guests to linger longer with extended hours. Now open midday to midnight,, guests can surround themselves with the famed Plaza red geraniums, hanging ivy and an almost 200-year-old olive tree, and forget the hustle and bustle of Paris with a quiet lunch, tea or dinner. Chef Sylvain Fouilleul, working under the supervision of Alain Ducasse, creates lunch and dinner dishes inspired by the Mediterranean such as a Cookpot of Vegetables from our Market Gardeners with a Spicy Tomato Syrup, Goujonnettes of John Dory with Didier Pil’s Baby Stuffed Vegetables and a Fragrant Stock and Lozère lamb chops with Artichokes and peas with Roast Jus. In the afternoon, La Cour Jardin serves late lunches or lovely teas to those who love this haven of peace and tranquility in the heart of Paris, with a varied menu of savory snacks and sweet delights.
Seasonally Sweet Endings, at Hôtel Plaza Athénée: We’d never suggest skipping dinner for dessert, but dedicated sweet fiends might be tempted to do just that with the new Spring/Summer Pastry Collection at Hôtel Plaza Athénée. Dreamt up by Head Pastry Chef Christophe Michalak, the seasonal dessert menu is inspired by motion, equilibrium and elegance. Cast guilt aside and live a little — or, quite a bit — with treats sized in XXL portions, including Strawberry Tart with Pistachio Cream; a Vanilla Rum Baba redesigned from a vintage recipe; Raspberry & Verbana Charlotte in ladyfinger format; Tiramisu Tart; and St. Tropez of My Dreams, newly updated from round to cylindrical.
https://www.plaza-athenee-paris.com/
https://www.lemeurice.com/
Content from our partners
