Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel - Paris, France

Four years, 17,600 gold scales, forty different types of marble, minerals, feathers, mirrors, glass and gilding – lots of it – are just some of what it took to create the newly buffed and polished Hôtel de Crillon on Paris’ grand Place de la Concorde. Despite its impressive history, which dates back to 1758, the property wears its heritage lightly, layered with 21st century Parisian chic and a real sense of place – a pillar of the philosophy Rosewood Hotels & Resorts. 

The 124 rooms and suites (two of the latter come designed by Karl Lagerfeld) are in muted colours with elegant grey marble bathrooms and beautiful retro soaps and suds from Buly 1803. Nespresso machines are clad in leather, beds in the softest of linens; books on Paris are stacked on the desk and at your bedside.

L’Ecrin fine dining is not to be missed, for the signature dish of Champignon de Paris alone but try too the Ile Callot oysters in Brasserie d’Aumont, and the Paris Mule cocktails in the glitteringly-gilded, yet edgily cool, Les Ambassadeurs Bar. Revive in the pool and at the sensational spa with products that pamper Parisian style.