Gina Baksa takes a look at the newly-restored Belle Etoile Suite at the iconic five-star Le Meurice hotel in the heart of Paris.

The preferred home-from-home for artists and creatives, such as Dali to Warhol, and Picasso to Jay-Z, Le Meurice hotel, a luxurious sanctuary on Rue de Rivoli in the French capital, first opened in 1835 and was soon a favourite with European Royalty.

Small wonder, considering the opulent design and incomparable service, as well as the luxury of being within walking distance to the Louvre, the Tuileries and the Place de la Concorde.

Fast forward to 2019, and Le Meurice has undergone a complete transformation, blending its 18th-century grandeur with state-of-the-art design, craftsmanship and innovation. The hotel now boasts 29 newly-restored rooms and suites, providing a sophisticated, luxurious base from which to explore its central Paris location.

The newly-restored Belle Etoile Suite at Le Meurice

The crowning glory of this year’s refurbishment is the stunning Belle Etoile Suite. This luxurious 7th-floor penthouse has a private terrace with 360-degree views of the French capital and is an entirely standalone living space: Parisian apartment living as never seen before.

Each design detail in the Belle Etoile Suite has been carefully chosen by the Lally & Berger studio to create a breath-taking setting. Combined, the garden and the three-bedroomed suite extends to an impressive 620 square metres.

Each of the rooms in the Belle Etoile Suite has large windows, giving generous light and drawing your eye to the astonishing views across the Tuileries gardens. Catch up on the latest movies in your cinema-style sitting area, where the flexible furniture setup can be configured to your own liking, making you feel instantly at home.

Lally & Berger

The Belle Etoile Suite is a dream realised for young talents Margaux Lally and Luc Berger, working with Charles Jouffre, the team who designed Le Meurice’s fabulous Pompadour Suite. The couple took Versailles as their inspiration, wanting to make the most of the outstanding views, as well as creating a modern-day ambience. Shades of bronze and gold, mixed with the subtle patina of lightly-aged oak, play out in this stunning suite. The lavish soft furnishings are equally enticing – all courtesy of the prestigious Jouffre Ateliers Creatifs.

Artisanal touches

Paris herself was the muse for the Belle Etoile Suite designers. The hand-painted clouds in the ‘boudoir’ entrance give an ethereal feeling of stepping into the clouds. Highly-skilled French craftsmanship is showcased throughout, such as the bespoke staircase inspired by the branches of the Tuileries Garden trees. Other artisanal touches include Declercq trimmings, elegant Brabbu furniture and Meljac fittings.

Colourful contemporary artworks by Carole Benzaken complete the appeal. The tactile light oak furnishings are courtesy of Ateliers Perrault, and Maison Lucien Gau created bespoke chandeliers to add to the welcoming ambience.

Another highlight is the majestic marble bathroom. This vast space is filled with natural daylight, thanks to three windowed walls, and features an inviting whirlpool bathtub and incredible views of Montmartre and the Sacre-Coeur.

The suite’s expansive outdoor space is much more than a terrace. It is a beautiful private garden inspired by the Tuileries Garden below. Landscape designer Pierre-Alexandre Risser is the man behind this oasis utilising shapes, textures and beautiful blooms to create a haven in the heart of the Parisian metropolis.

A view to rival all others

Crowning Le Meurice’s famous Mansard roof, the Belle Etoile Suite’s vast terrace garden makes you feel as if Paris were for your eyes only.

On a beautiful day, this is the only sightseeing you’ll need – taking in the Parisian rooftops and all the iconic landmarks including the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, the Sacre-Coeur, the Musee d’Orsay and the Eiffel Tower. It’s the most romantic suite in Paris from which to enjoy the city’s beautiful sunsets.

The Le Meurice Belle Etoile Suite

Le Meurice address: 228 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France. For more information, visit www.dorchestercollection.com/en/paris/le-meurice.

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