Greg From United Kingdom, joined May 2005, 0 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 764 times:
I'm was mixed about it, but largely, I thought it was much ado about nothing for all the hype. But glad you had a good experience.
They ran out of ice when we were having mixed drinks..which, for an American, is tantamount to treason! And the orders were fairly mixed up as well (but hey, it was a party of eight).
The restaurant itself is very imposing--you simply can not feel insignificant in those surroundings. And the hotel itself is a phenomonal piece of French design.
And, it's reasonably priced for Paris.
Like all establishments, it's when you go, and who waited on you......
VSLover From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2004, 1886 posts, RR: 24 Reply 3, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 747 times:
well, i found both the ritz club and l'espadon quite good. not great. just good. it is more of the experience, and the luxurious surroundings make the experience unique. maybe i was expecting more from the meals, but they werent all that much more impressive than the room service meals--of course the level of attention, detail, and service was vastly improved.
i mean the ritz is more for lodging than dining. i'd give it a 9.5/10 for rooms and 8/10 for dining.
Greg From United Kingdom, joined May 2005, 0 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 712 times:
I didn't know that about Princess Diana....kinda creepy.
And I didn't think the food was all that expensive for Paris (at least for fine dining). At any rate...it was on the company..not me!
We stayed at the George V (it's a Four Seasons) when in Paris...not sure of the roomrates for the Ritz...but I'm sure they are stratospheric for the nicer apartments....
Iflyatldl From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 1936 posts, RR: 4 Reply 9, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 697 times:
I'll be in Paris in mid Sept and had considered trying it out myself. If nothing else, at least having a look and perhaps a cocktail.. Last time I was in Paris, it was just before Princess Diana's death.
Ah, Summer, Fenway Park, Boston Red Sox and Beer.....
DesertJets From United States of America, joined Feb 2000, 7673 posts, RR: 18 Reply 10, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 692 times:
The Ritz has its room rates on its website. A standard room, ~320 sq. ft runs between 610 and 680 Euros a night. The bigger standard rooms upwards of 750 Euros. Suites start from 880 Euros to 2870 Euros for a two bedroom suite. Top floor suites from 1800 to 3100 Euros. Prestige suites starting from 1050 Euros to 8500 Euros..... so in other words, EXPENSIVE. But I am sure it is quite nice.
VSLover From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2004, 1886 posts, RR: 24 Reply 12, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 679 times:
i'm with you UA.
i LOVE foie gras! though it is possible to be served too much in one entree. it is just so rich, that too much is just--ugh.
the hotel is actually barely 100 years old. weird though, since it seems and feels so steeped in history, which it is. but 100 years in french history is a speck on the timeline.
i have been fortunate to stay there three times, twice with parents who footed the bill in the coco chanel suite, and again in the elton john suite (kind of plain in comparison to the coco chanel), the third time on my own for one night only in a normal run of the mill room with a friend i had gone to school with. i'd go back in a second had i the time and if i didnt see a problem with paying thousands to stay in a room each night i mean when i travel i use the room very little, mostly just to sleep. i cannot see much justification for that honestly.
Greg From United Kingdom, joined May 2005, 0 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 661 times:
VSLover...do your parents which to adopt an attractive, if not egomanical lawyer by chance???
Lucky you.
When I travelled with my parents (studio execs) it was for weeks and/or months at a time...we usually ended up in apartments (I wanted the five start hotels!).
Dl021 From United States of America, joined exactly 9 years ago today! , 11433 posts, RR: 81 Reply 20, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 4 days ago) and read 637 times:
The Ritz in PAris is certainly nice, but the Bristol, Crillon, and Plaza Athenee have been more consistently pleasurable and luxurious. The Ritz seems to be trading on it's name more than living up to it on occasion, whereas the others have to work harder. My personal favorite is the Bristol. The best piano bar in Paris (too bad Louis died a few years ago, I do not know who replaced him at the piano).
BTW Does anyone know if CHez Fred's, near Place de l'Etoile is still open?
BOAC From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2003, 77 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 3 days 11 hours ago) and read 599 times:
In 1686 the construction of the Place Vendome began under the direction of Jules Hardouin-Mansart, the architect of Versailles. A mansion is built at 15 Place Vendome, in 1705, which in turn became the home of the Duchesse de Gramont, Marshal de Lautrec and the Marquis de Villette.
In 1896 the Hotel de Gramont is purchased by Ritz Hotel Syndicate Ltd, on the initiative of Cesar Ritz. Officially opening of the Ritz Hotel was on June 1st 1898.
In 1910 the hotel was extended as far as 38 rue Cambon and 17 Place Vendome, with the Long Gallery linking Place Vendome and Rue Cambon opening in 1912 (it is 110 metre long). In 1915 the Cambon wing is used as a military hospital for the allies.
In 1918 Cesar Ritz died.
In 1930 The hotels facades are listed as national monuments and in 1934 Coco Chanel moved into the Ritz, which became her home for 30 years. In 1935 Auguste Escoffier, the founder of the Ritz kitchens died and ladies were admitted to all the Ritz bars for the first time. In 1936 "Quadrille" was filmed at the Ritz by Sacha Guitry.
In 1940 the Ritz was occupied by high ranking officials of the German government but was "liberated" by Ernest Hemingway in 1944.
In 1956 the Espadon restaurant was created by Charles Ritz and in 1957 Love in the Afternoon was made by Billy Wilder and starred Audrey Hepburn, Gary Cooper and Maurice Chevalier, at the hotel.
In 1961 Marie-Louise, widow of Cesar Ritz died and the Vendome Bar was constructed.
In 1979 the Hotel was bought by Mohamed Al Fayed and his family and a renovation programme started which lasted until 1988, when the Ritz health club, Ritz club and the Ritz Escoffier school opened.
In 1998 the Hotel celebrated it's 100th Anniversary and was named "Best Hotel in the World" by Travel & Leisure.
1999 saw the centenary of Ernest Hemingway's birth celebrated by the Hemingway Bar and the Hotel is voted "Best Hotel of the Century" by The Hideaway Report.
Hope this helps - it is from the Ritz Hotel site - paraphrased somewhat by me.
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Last time I was in Paris, it was just before Princess Diana's death. 
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