The InterContinental Paris Le Grand

The InterContinental Paris Le Grand The InterContinental Paris Le Grand (http://www.paris.intercontinental.com) is a sumptuous hotel of 470 rooms, docked alongside the Opera Garnier, just steps away from some of the capital's most well-known tourist attractions, famous department stores and the luxury boutiques of the Place Vendome.

Although each room at the InterContinental Paris Le Grand is unique (various sizes, accessories, room layouts) all rooms share the same opulence and elegant details. The rooms are dressed in a delicate harmony of blue, red and deep gold, and are decorated with wall engravings evoking dance and music, paying homage to the Opera House next door. Framed sheet music can be found throughout the corridors of the Le Grand. For the best rooms, book one of four Presidential Suites, all of which offer amazing views of the Opera House. The largest suite is the first-floor Imperial. It boasts high ceilings, beautiful moldings and two bedrooms (great for kids or their nanny). The fifth-floor, one-bedroom Honeymoon Suite, though smaller in size than the Imperial, is also a favorite due to its fantastic views. Guests can peer out their window and into the Opera House, spying dancers during rehearsals. The Honeymoon Suite is also the only suite with a Jacuzzi bath and steam room.

Travel agents can contact Sales and Marketing Director Veronique Sellier ([email protected]; 33-1-40-07-3526) for VIP bookings. The most demanding guests have the Club InterContinental and its VIP lounge (think round-the-clock cuisine, cocktails, e-mail, fax and other business services) at their disposal. It is a veritable hotel within the hotel, providing services that are even more personalized and rival those of the best establishments in Paris. For guests looking to have a glass of champagne while taking in the surrounding views of Paris, those of the Opera House from the top floor of the lounge are some of the best in the city. For dinner, a must is Le Cafe de la Paix, the hotel's fine-dining restaurant and a legend in Paris. Among the decisive steps taken to make this one of the top restaurants in a city known for its cuisine was hiring talented young chef Laurent Delarbre, who was awarded the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France. More than 70 percent of diners here are locals and guests from other hotels, as the restaurant is consistently ranked among the top in Paris.

Head Concierge Gilles Harrault ([email protected]; 33-1-40-07-3232) is an expert at putting together "insider" packages of Paris; two of our favorites are a private tour of Paris via a Citroen convertible and the insider's tour of Dior, which includes an individual presentation of Dior's collection in a private salon complete with champagne. The convertible Citroen 2CV tour (http://www.4roues-sous-1parapluie.com) offers gorgeous panoramic views of the city as an expert driver maneuvers his way through the famous boulevards and tiny streets. We felt like celebrities as locals pointed at and snapped pictures of our retro convertible.