If mingling amongst Paris's most fashionable and sophisticated residents strikes you as the ideal getaway, the Mandarin Oriental, Paris is the perfect choice. The newly opened hotel is located in the desirable first arrondissement and boasts exclusive boutiques and high-end fashion houses as its neighbours.
Flinging open its doors in a celeb-filled grand opening ceremony last month, this 138-room, Sybille de Margerie- designed paean to easy luxury, has fast become the ultimate see-and-be-seen venue for the city's fash pack. And if you can tear yourself away from supping on champagne in the gorgeous Camélia restaurant, the Louvre is just a short romantic stroll away.
After a long day of sightseeing, don your favourite Breton tee and head down to the painfully stylish Bar 8 to enjoy an aperitif - and we recommend the Je t'aime Paris, a refreshing mix of raspberries, St Germain and champagne - with the chic city crowd. And in a country famed for its cuisine, the lavish restaurant, Sur Mesure par Thierry Marx, will not disappoint; there you can rub shoulders with the likes of Liam Neeson, who was recently spotted there, and enjoy the gastro experiments created by the Michelin-starred chef.
But if the excesses of Parisian life becomes too much, check yourself into the minimalist spa and choose from a menu of luxurious treatments and holistic therapies guaranteed to have you rejuvenated for a well-earned return trip to Hermes.
Inside info
No stay at the Mandarin Oriental, Paris would be complete without a visit to the in-house Cake Shop. Make like Marie Antoinette and pick the gorgeously decadent L'Armorique for total chocolate indulgence.
Details
251 Rue Saint-Honoré, Paris. Call +331 709 8888 or visit mandarinoriental.com/paris
England: Public, London
This exclusive club attracts the likes of Kate and Will, Holly Branson and the rest of the Burberry brigade, looking to let their blow-dries down after a hard day's shopping. Prince Harry's best friend, Guy Pelly, has triumphed in turning this former antiques shop into one of the most talked about locations in the city, resulting in a very glamorous playground for the rich and famous.
Call +44 207 751 4400 or visit public.uk.com
Denmark: Noma, Copenhagen
Winning the title of the ‘World's best restaurant' last year, Copenhagen's Noma has forged a totally unique approach to cooking. Head chef, Rene Redzepi, adopts a forager's philosophy to food, strictly sourcing all ingredients locally. If sampling original (and wacky) grub with a haute cuisine twist is right up your street, this highly acclaimed eaterie is a must-visit.
Call +612 9360 4558
