The Hotel Raphael is a charming 90-room hotel built in 1925, and is located near the Avenue Champs-Elysées, Arc de Triomphe and the Tour Eiffel. This hotel evokes another era with its décor and service.
Our large Junior Suite had a foyer with coat tree, a large living room with a fireplace, with two sets of French doors that opened onto a large terrace where we had exhilarating views of the Tour Eiffel, which were especially intriguing at night. There was a beautiful chandelier, and antique furniture with teal blue brocade fabrics set on an oriental carpet. The walls had painted murals and gold sconces. A velvet settee and small tables and chairs gave the room the appeal of a by-gone era of an elegant salon. I must admit that my laptop looked a little out of place on the antique roll-top desk, but with the help of an Internet card available from the hotel, it worked just fine. There was an artful floral arrangement of pink roses, ranunculus, berries and lemon leaves in a square crystal vase on the mantel, which was reflected in the large mirror over the fireplace. Guests could relax on a comfortable chaise in the corner of the room while watching television.
Our large bedroom was reached through an arched doorway, draped with rich brocade fabrics. There was a ladies dressing table in the middle of the room, and a large wrap-around antique wood armoire with mirrors, which also had a safe. The bathroom had a separate enclosed toilet and bidet, a walk-in shower and a separate tub, as well as robes, slippers, Roger Gallet amenities, a stool, hairdryer, scale, heated towel rack and a window, which could be opened.
Breakfast buffets were delightful with their large assortment of choices including freshly baked breads and pastries. Breakfast, as well as lunch and dinner, is served in their restaurant, La Salle à Manger. Guests could also enjoy a more private breakfast at one of the small tables in the English Bar. La Salle à Manger is an intimate, beautiful room with high ceilings and ornate moldings, floor to ceiling windows draped with elegant fabrics, the graceful tables were draped with white linens and set with Limoges china and had fresh flower arrangements, creamy walls with hand-painted murals, and gold sconces that basked the room in reflected light completed the ambience. We also had a delicious dinner at the hotel, which you can read about in the Restaurants section.
Read our other articles on Paris in Destinations, Restaurants and Music Scene.
Hotel Raphael
17, Avenue Kleber
75116 Paris, France
Telephone: +33 01 53 64 32 00
Fax: +33 01 53 64 32 01
Email: management@raphael-hotel.com
www.raphael-hotel.com
© February 2005. Luxury Experience. www.luxuryexperience.com All rights reserved.
