Detailed Review
The Raphael is a unique Parisian palace’ hotel, totally independent, owned and managed by a French family. Located close to the Arc de Triomphe, the Etoile and the Champs Elysees, the Raphael is ideally situated in the City centre. The Raphael is more of a club than an Hotel. Whether you are in the intimate atmosphere of the Bar Anglais, in the comfort of La Salle à Manger, in one of the cosseted suites or in one of the vast bedrooms, you will be made to feel at home, with attentive personnel to fulfil your every need. Following the success gained after the opening of the hotels Regina in 1900 and the Majestic in 1907 (at the time, the largest European palace’ hotel with 450 bedrooms), the owners decided to respond to a specific market. The VIP clientele traditionally preferred a smaller, intimate hotel and, accordingly, the Raphael was constructed with 90 spacious and luxurious bedrooms. These privileged guests were, therefore, made to feel at home during their long stay in the Capital. The creators of the Raphael also planned that the Hotel offered its demanding clientele all that was expected from a deluxe property, whilst maintaining the need for a personalised and discreet service. These objectives were attained and this is why, today, the Raphael is unique in its style of suites and bedrooms and for the particular atmosphere prevalent throughout the Hotel. The most discreet of Parisian palace’ hotels has maintained its originality. Celebrities from the world of the arts and literature as well as diplomats combine with businessmen and women and other privileged guests in their desire to stay at the Hotel Raphael.
Press Quotes
"This 90-room hotel resembles a discreet gentleman’s club, with courteous service, a long panelled hallway, antiques, old-master paintings and English bar. Built in 1925 by the grandfather of the current owner, it has bedrooms that boast gigantic wardrobes and furnishings à la Louis XIV." Conde Nast Traveller
Independent Reviews
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"Flamboyant, rococo, clubby and traditional, two blocks from the Arc de Triomphe"
Hotel Raphael
By Jamie Dunford Wood
The Hotel Raphael is a classic grand dame of Paris, but without the palace pretensions. These hotels tend to get overlooked by newcomers, who go for the more famous names, but repeat business is strong here, and what you get for your money is loads of old world Parisian charm, impeccable service, and above all, space - a luxury all too often lacking in the standard category rooms of the palace hotels.
The tone is set by the massive oriental rugs, the quality oils (including an original Turner) and the antique wood panelling of the large reception hall, which leads to an exquisite little library bar (the English bar), and an antique elevator to take you up to the 85 rooms. This is a favourite of ministers and politicians, with its romantic rooftop terrace for summer dining.
The rooms are decorated in soft French Empire style, with old creaky herring-bone wooden floors, richly patterend rugs, more wood panelling, and 19th-century antiques. Wallpapering is ornate, and curtains swagged. Many of the rooms have large wardrobe spaces - ideal for a long stay - with mirrored panels and ornate plaster cornicing. Half of the deluxe rooms have separate boudoirs (dressing rooms to you and me), and all of them have separate showers.
All in all the Raphael has a Ritz sort of feeling, and all that prevents 4-star deluxe status is a night chef. A small price to pay, one would have thought.
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Condé Nast Traveller 2008 Gold List
