I am fond of anything classic. Classic does not disappoint you and contains a qualified simplicity within, that is reflected as a timeless beauty. Clothes, decoration, styles and hotels …

I like classic hotels. The ones with a distinctive atmosphere which you notice the moment you enter the hotel. The ones that make you feel special and where you feel yourselves comfortable. The reason of their becoming a classic and being among the world’s most exclusive hotels.

Without thinking, I can name one in Istanbul where I live: Çırağan Palace Kempinski Hotel. Çırağan has always been the best exclusive retreat in Istanbul for me. A wonderful location, calming ambiance, special staff and an excellent service. A former Ottoman palace, this five-star hotel in the Kempinski Hotels chain is located on the European shore of the Bosphorus and is the host of many important events, meetings and weddings in Istanbul. I definitely suggest its restaurants one of which is the award winning ‘Tugra‘ located in the historical palace, tea service at its elegant lobby and its fabulous brunch with the view of the Bosphorus.

Some people find exclusive hotels as chilly and dull. On the contrary, they offer you a unique experience together with their specially trained personnel showing their utmost care to make you feel comfortable. I will list here below some of the classic hotels I have come across in various publications, which are among the most exclusive hotels of the world.

Le Bristol, Paris

In the 50th Anniversary issue (August 2021) of ‘Travel + Leisure’, under the heading ‘Trips That Stood The Test of Time‘, Le Bristol Hotel in Paris is mentioned as follows:

“You’ll always have Paris-and Paris will always have Le Bristol, the Faubourg St.-Honoré palace that’s been a classic since 1925.“

Le Bristol is located in the 8th Arrondissement, a typical Parisian district with elegant patisseries, restaurants and palatial hotels. Le Bristol, referred to as “the most regal of Paris’ many grandes dames hotels” in Condé Nast Traveller (Jan./Feb. 2022 issue), is said to be the choice of the locals for the best spot in this arrondissement for an aperitif. Its fluffy white resident cat Fa-Raon, that has ruled over the lobby for eleven years is also mentioned in the same article. Le Bristol Paris received ‘Happy Guest Award 2019‘ by ‘The Leading Hotels of The World’.

During World War II, Le Bristol Paris had become the home of the American Embassy and American nationals living in Paris. The hotel had many famous clients since its opening such as Charlie Chaplin, Rita Hayworth, Kim Novak as well as the artists and top designers including Coco Chanel, Pablo Picasso, Cristóbal Balenciaga and Salvador Dali. The luxury brands such as Hermès and Lanvin had first opened their boutiques in Rue (Street) du Faubourg Saint-Honoré shortly before the opening of the hotel. (Le Bristol Paris website). The Panoramic Suite, which was added to the hotel after the renovation, had served as a backdrop for the film ‘Midnight in Paris‘ (2011), a jolly Woody Allen film set in Paris. (forbestravelguide.com)

I like hotels with history and this hotel has such a rich history. You can have an afternoon tea or a drink in Le Bristol Paris imagining Picasso or Rita Hayworth having done the same years ago.

Claridge’s, London

Like Le Bristol Paris, Claridge’s London is also listed in the 50th Anniversary issue (August 2021) of ‘Travel + Leisure’, under the heading ‘Trips That Stood The Test of Time’. The hotel is mentioned as an icon and as:

“Mayfair’s shining star, synonymous with English gentility…”

Claridge’s is a 5-star Victorian Art Deco style hotel in Mayfair, London. Opened in 1856, the hotel had soon become a favourite of heads of state and European royalty following the visits of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Many exiled heads of states had used the hotel as a refuge during the Second World War. In 1945, Winston Churchill stayed here after he lost the elections. Well-known actors and directors like Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Katharine Hepburn, Yul Brynner and Alfred Hitchcock were among the regular clients of the hotel and had adopted Claridge’s as their residence in London. (Website of ‘Claridge’s London’)

Claridge’s London is also a hotel with rich history. With its Art Deco interior, “The Fumoir” is where many have enjoyed their pre-theatre drinks or flashy cocktails since 1929.

You can also enjoy your cocktails or champagne in “Claridge’s Bar” or “The Painter’s Room” of the hotel. The traditional English Afternoon Tea is served in “The Foyer & Reading Room” of the hotel where you can enjoy sandwiches, English scones and pastries with selected tea varieties. The hotel is owned by Maybourne Hotel Group, which also owns and manages ‘The Berkeley’ and ‘The Connaught’ hotels in London. (maybourne.com)

Other Timeless Hotels Listed in the 50th Anniversary issue (August 2021) of ‘Travel + Leisure‘
(Undern’Trips That Stood The Test of Time’) along with ‘Le Bristol Paris’ and ‘Claridge’s London’ are the following:

• Royal Hawaiian, Honolulu as ‘continuing to define luxury in Waikiki, Hawaii’ since completed in 1927,
  (royal-hawaiian.com)
• Raffles Singapore as ‘134-year legacy of unmatched service and unimpeachable style‘ where the Singapore Sling– a gin-based sling cocktail from Singapore- was developed, (raffles.com)
• Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok as a hotel which is ‘linked to the city like its monuments‘ since opened in 1876 with its Authors’ Lounge and canal-side spots, (mandarinoriental.com)
• Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai as ‘having changed the game with high-tech luxuries like electric fans, elevators, and ice machines when it first opened in 1903 and that as having been a trail-blazer ever since‘. (tajhotels.com)

The Connaught, London

The friendly looking smiling doorman of The Connaught, Carl Holness, drew my attention in Condé Nast Traveller (January-February 2022 issue) who is said to have welcomed most of the royal family to the hotel. He indicates that everyone gets the same greeting and attentiveness regardless of wealth or status and says:
“I never get tired of uttering the words, ‘Welcome to The Connaught’. It makes me very proud.“

The Connaught is a historical elegant hotel in Mayfair, London nearby Claridge’s hotel. You can have a drink in its 1920s Art Deco Connaught Bar (voted the ‘World’s Best Bar‘ in ‘The World’s 50 Best Bars’ in years 2020 and 2021) or its secret Champagne Room. You can also try Hélène Darroze’s three-Michelin-starred restaurant in the hotel.

Cheval Blanc Paris

I am quite sure you uttered a wow when you have seen the lead image of this post (photo under the title of this post) as I also did. It is a magnificent view of Paris from one of the many terraces at Cheval Blanc Paris, LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton) group’s latest hotel which has opened in September 2021.

Kasia Dietz, the author of the article I have read in Condé Nast Traveller (December 2021 issue), defines the view from a suite of Cheval Blanc as follows:

“It feels like I can reach out and touch Paris. The skyline is dotted with souvenirs. the Eiffel Tower, the grand dome of Les Invalides and Notre Dame …“

This boutique hotel is within La Samaritaine (also owned by LVMH), the iconic department store of Paris since 1869, which has reopened to public in July 2021 after more than 15 years of renovation period. It is in the first arrondissement of Paris close to Louvre Museum and overlooks ‘Pont Neuf‘, the oldest bridge in Paris across the river Seine. The article in Condé Nast Traveller states that Cheval Blanc succeeds in shifting the hotel focus east along the Seine. (chevalblanc.com)

The peers of the hotel are counted as Le Bristol, La Réserve and the Hôtel Plaza Athénée in the 8th arrondissement. I also found the hotels “La Réserve Paris” and “Hôtel Plaza Athénée” very chic.

Cheval Blanc Paris was designed by Peter Marino and is the first hotel project of the renowned New York architect. Marino says:
“I wanted everything to be new and unexpected. Looking like it could have never been seen before. Elegant, austere, unique” (cntraveller.com)
The photos of the hotel I have seen, like below, justify this elegant and unique style. The 30 meters swimming pool at the hotel’s Spa (Dior Spa) is stated to be the longest hotel pool in the city.

‘Langosteria‘, the Milanese Italian restaurant on the seventh-floor of the hotel together with ‘Le Tout-Paris (All Paris)’, a brasserie with cocktail bar, offer nice views of Paris. Three Michelin starred Chef Arnaud Donckele of “Cheval Blanc St Tropez” welcomes you in the first-floor gastronomic restaurant, ‘Plénitude‘. The is also ‘Limbar‘, an upscale bistro by Pastry Chef Maxime Frédéric, who has received ‘Pastry Chef of The Year‘ in 2021.

Cheval Blanc Paris is the first city hotel of LVMH group. The former hotels of the group are in Courchevel (the French Alps), St Tropez (the French Riviera), St Barths (the French West Indies) and Randheli (the Maldives). I have read that after Cheval Blanc, Peter Marino is designing the first American hotel of LVMH group in Beverly Hills.

I will continue with classic hotels in another post soon.