The spa area also has a steam room, plus a larger locker room, where guests can change. The pool has complimentary tea and fruit, which guests can help themselves to. La Reserve Paris has its wellness area on level minus one, and it’s an expansive setup for such a small hotel. Speaking of amenities, a sweet 1win app treat was brought to the room the second evening, which I imagine is a standard feature of the property, and it’s a nice touch. Past the bedroom was a huge closet space, which was the size of some other Paris hotel rooms… heh.
I’m a sucker for avocado toast in Paris, with the thinly sliced avocado, and crisp bread, and this one didn’t disappoint. There’s also La Veranda, which is open seasonally with pop-up concepts, in the hotel courtyard. It was raining during most of our visit, so it wasn’t in use.
For hotel guests with breakfast included, you have the option of enjoying breakfast in La Pagode de Cos, Duc de Morny Library, or via in-room dining, all with the same menu. As far as booking stays at La Reserve Paris goes, Paris is of course one of the world’s most expensive hotel markets, especially at the high end. Rates vary significantly based on the time of year and day of week you’re staying. Want to take advantage of Virtuoso benefits at no extra cost, including a room upgrade, free breakfast, a hotel credit, and more?
La Reserve Paris is located at 42 Avenue Gabriel, midway between Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore and Avenue Montaigne. The area immediately around the hotel is pretty quiet, which I like. However, you’re very close to the action, as the property is a short walk from the Champs-Elysees. The hotel is also a block from Elysee Palace (the home of the president), so it’s a safe neighborhood, given the police presence.
We were assigned a prestige suite, marketed as being 80 square meters (860 square feet). Obviously this was quite a premium room category, though keep in mind that nearly 40% of the keys at this property are suites. That being said, opinions expressed are my own, and the hotel didn’t have a clue I was coming, and didn’t know I’d be publishing a review. When most people think of the top five-star hotels in Paris, perhaps Cheval Blanc Paris, Four Seasons Paris George V, Hotel de Crillon Paris, Le Bristol Paris, or Ritz Paris, come to mind.
Everything feels historic, without compromising on modern comforts. Our spacious Suite, measuring 50 sq m, provide a luxurious retreat with ample room for relaxation, featuring 5 elegantly designed suites that prioritize comfort over views. Enjoy premium amenities such as complimentary Wi-Fi, a Flat-Screen TV, a Minibar, a separate living area, and 24-hour room service for an indulgent stay. For one, service seemed to be a bit more personalized than at other properties, perhaps due to the small size. Staff got to know guests better, which can be harder to do at a hotel with 200 rooms. I also thought the staff had a lot of personality, and that really came across in how they communicated with guests.
Also on this level is a 24/7 gym, which is small, but has modern equipment. My only gripe is that I wish there were heavier weights available, as I found the free weight selection to be limited. The suite faced a narrow side street in one direction, and a larger street in the other direction, though there was virtually no noise from outside. Toiletries were in individual containers, with La Reserve’s branding.
Hotel guests can choose to have breakfast here rather than in La Pagode de Cos, and then it’s open for lunch and dinner as well. The walls here are lined with over 3,000 books, so it’s a ridiculously cool design. La Reserve Paris has dining concepts by Chef Jerome Banctel, who is behind everything from the fine dining restaurant to the all-day dining restaurant. Obviously all “Palace” properties in Paris are super pricey, though this one is often priced a bit lower than the other top properties, if that’s a consideration. A stay will still cost you an arm and a leg, but that’s the standard in Paris. Next up, La Reserve Paris has La Pagode de Cos, which is the all-day dining restaurant, with a contemporary French concept.
He doesn’t charge booking fees, and may even be able to help if you already have a stay booked. Perhaps the only caution I’d add is that this hotel isn’t quite as much of a “scene” as some of the other top Paris hotels. Personally I think that’s a significant advantage, but if you’re looking to see and be seen, you’ll find wilder people watching at some other properties. Lastly, La Reserve Paris has Duc de Morny Library, which is also open all day.
The property’s signature restaurant is Le Gabriel, and it’s a French cuisine-focused Michelin three-star restaurant, open for lunch and dinner. I didn’t have a chance to eat here, but it’s a beautiful and intimate restaurant, and you can find the menu here. Next, the hotel has a 16-meter (53-foot) indoor pool, which is a lovely place to hang out, as it also has plenty of seating for lounging around. I don’t know why, but while outdoor pools do nothing for me, I kind of like indoor pools, especially at historic properties like this. To start, the hotel has a full service spa with three treatment rooms, with services in partnership with Clinique Nescens Switzerland.