Fabulous In ..... Paris

Having spent a lot of time in Paris for work, there is nothing I love more than being in the city for pleasure & for anyone who has been you will know there is a lot of pleasure to be had !!

From the hours spent wandering the quaint side streets, lost in your own thoughts of living as a modern day Oscar Wilde , to taking champagne on the terrace of ‘Le Bristol’ …… Paris is a city that has earned it's reputation and it’s stripes as being one of the most chic destinations on the planet. Regardless of what may be said about the French attitude it is undeniable that their sense of style and ‘je ne sais quoi’ is unrivalled.

My absolute favourite place to stay whilst in the city would have to be Hotel Costes situated on Rue St Honoré – the hotel is famous for not only signature scent which envelops your senses from the moment you walk through the door, a mixture of heady sensuality and sumptuous subtlety. As you unwind on the outdoor terrace, the sunken lounge bar or on a day bed around the pool you’ll find yourself listening to sounds mixed by Stéphane Pompougnac a sound which is now instantly recognizable through ongoing collaborations with the hotel.

Also as it happens turning right or left out of Hotel Costes will put you right into one of the most desirable shopping districts in all of Paris – with every international designer name you could pluck out of the Parisian air right on your doorstep. Although the store has become some what of a tourist attraction in the past few years, I would still always recommend a visit to Colette which is a hybrid of several stores/designers and design items under one roof – perfect for picking up unique items, it is truly ‘destination’ shopping.

Once you have recreated your ‘Pretty Woman’ moment, with bag carriers in tow, and your tired Prada protected feet can take no more, head a few streets over to Angelinas’ which is the best place in all of Paris to indulge in the most exquisite hot chocolate to ever pass your lips, coupled with a mouth watering croque monsieur you will be all set for an early evening disco nap before slipping on your finest dinner suit for a late evening supper.

If there is only one place that you must dine whilst in Paris it is Le Georges, on the top of the Pompidou Centre. With views of Paris second to none you will be sat amongst the design masterpiece of Dominique Jacob and Brendan McFarlane, every table decorated with a single red rose. Even if you are dining alone it probably wouldn’t be for long, as you are carried away by a sense of elegance and romance that would melt even the most cynical heart.

Although I could recommend a million other divine suggestions of how to spend your time in Paris, discovering your very own special places in a city is a must – so slip on the Dolce, turn on your Grinder and hit the streets to go on an adventure all of your own returning home with stories hopefully not suitable for the grandchildren !!