InterContinental Paris Le Grand Hotel Review
InterContinental Paris Le Grand Hotel
Location: Opera
Address: 2 Rue Scribe, 75009 Paris
Tel: +33 1 40 07 32 32
Reservations: +33 1 40 07 30 30
Fax: +33 1 42 66 12 51
E-mail: legrand@ichotelsgroup.com
InterContinental Paris Le Grand Hotel Overview
One of the historic five-star "grand hotels" of Paris. Built at Napeleon's request in 1862 as part of Baron Headsman's urban transformation of Paris, Le Grand Hotel has been the host of royalty from around the world, as well as the most illustrious artists, writers, and politicians in history.
Recently renovated, Le Grand Hotel overlooks the Paris Opera House and is across the street from the famous Paris department store, Galleries Lafayette. The hotel sits on an entire city block, and each one of its 470 rooms is designed in 19th century French style with all modern conveniences, and exceptional service. If you are a fan of five star hotels, Le Grand Hotel will not disappoint.
We stayed at the Le Grand Hotel in a room on the second floor. The street-side room contained a queen size bed. We cashed in frequent hotel miles to stay for free. The room rate quoted at the time was 300 euros/night. We booked directly with the hotel via their reservation phone line.
InterContinental Paris Le Grand Hotel Ratings
Classified as a five star hotel. Our ratings (1 -5 stars):
Overall: 4 stars - Le Grand Hotel is indeed grand. Similar to most 5 star hotels, the property is opulent and luxurious, the service is beyond reproach, and the rooms are up-to-date with modern conveniences and stylish decor. Le Grand Hotel is a good choice if you're wish to stay in the central Paris shopping district in 5 star surroundings.
Location: 5 stars - Located in central Paris at the Place de l'Opera and steps from Paris' famous department stores (The Grand Magasins), Galleries Lafayette and Printemps. Also a short walk to designer shopping heaven, Rue du Faubourg St-Honoré, which include designers such as Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Valentino, Lanvin, and Hermès.
If you've come to Paris to "shop until you drop", and crave luxurious surroundings when you are on vacation, the Opera area is for you. It has a great mix of fabulous shopping, starred restaurants and "grand" hotels. At night, Le Grand Hotel and the Ritz have elegant surroundings for cocktails after an evening out at the belle-epoque landmark, the Opera Garnier.
Style and Decor: 5 stars - Le Grand Hotel, has the "WOW" factor - you will be in awe at the style, decor and opulence of the hotel lobby and common areas. No expense was spared in the furnishings, artwork and fresh-flowers (there are even fresh blooms suspended next to the elevator buttons) that give the impression of entering a Parisian palace during the rein of Napoleon.
The guest rooms are outfitted with every modern convenience - mini bars, flat panel tv's with an array of international stations, thick bathrobes, great lighting, internet access, multiple phone lines, 24 hour room service, turn-down service - everything that you would expect from a modern five star property. The rooms are on the small side (not uncommon in Paris), but capture the feeling of a French residence with elaborate bedding, patterned wall paper, and period furnishings. The 467 rooms are decorated in four distinct styles - see the photo section of Le Grand Hotel's web site for pictures.
Staff - 5 stars - From the desk clerks, concierge, waiters, maids, and doormen, the service was exceptionally courteous and professional. If you like having doors opened for you and twice a day maid service, you'll enjoy the level of service at Le Grand Hotel.
The following anecdote may help explain the level of service at Le Grand Hotel. Upon checkout, it was raining, so the doorman opened an umbrella over us, and carried our luggage a block from the hotel property to the Roissy bus. He entered the bus, carefully placed our luggage, made sure we knew what terminal to exit at the airport. This exemplifies the outstanding service at this 5 star hotel.
Amenities: 5 stars - Le Grand Hotel's amneties are too numerous to list. A few on-site highlights are the I-Spa by Algotherm for pampering, and one of the most famous cafés in Paris, the regal Café de la Paix. A concierge is available to arrange tours, restaurant reservations and opéra/theater tickets.
Value for Money: 3 stars - When booking a 5 star hotel in Paris, value for the money usually doesn't factor in the calculation. WhÎle 300 euros for a room here in the off-season is good deal for a hotel of this caliber, the extras add-up. A continental breakfast for one via room service will set you back 30 euros. A cocktail at the bar is approximately 15 euros. There is even a 18 euro charge to empty the mini-bar, so that you can store your own food/drinks in it (a charge we never heard of before, and frankly don't understand - if they catch you with a bottle of your own water in the fridge, do they charge you for it?).
If you're aware that you'll pay a great deal for extras during your stay and budget accordingly, Le Grand Hotel is a not a bad value for your money.
InterContinental Paris Le Grand Room Details
Room - We stayed in a room on the second floor - a street side double with a queen size bed. The room was on the small side - walking space in the bedroom seemed to be limited. The room's regal comforter and high-end linens, furnishings and design elements were modeled after the French Napoleonic period.
The room also included ample closets and drawer space to store your belongings. Our room also included table with two chairs and fresh flowers (large enough for eating), a mirrored vanity, a mini-bar fridge, and a flat screen tv. You entered the room via large entryway with separate door to the bedroom.
Bathroom - The spacious marble bathroom seemed to be as large as the bedroom. The bathroom was dominated by a separate, deep pedestal tub with a shower attachment, and large french windows with elegant draperies. The natural lighting in the room was a plus. The large marble vanity contained a separate vanity mirror, hair dryer, and an assortment of luxury brand toiletries. Slippers were complimentary, and fluffy white bathrobes were hanging behind the door.
Le Grand Hotel's web site contains photos that accurately depict the room that we stayed in.
Author: Cheryl Montgomery
