Gaze at the Eiffel Tower from the Eiffel Suite at the Shangri-La Paris

Paris is a city worth splurging in. When it comes to luxury hotel rooms, of any city in the world, your Paris luxury hotel room should come with an amazing view. If you want a great view of the Eiffel Tower from your room, even from your bed, you need to stay in the Suite Gustave Eiffel at the Shangri-La Paris. Yes, Gustave Eiffel, the builder (and namesake) of the Eiffel Tower.

The Shangri-La Paris

Consistently ranked as the best hotel in Paris, the Shangri-La Paris sits along the Seine in the 16th, right next to the Trocodero museum buildings. Its slight hilltop location gives most of its rooms and suites some incredible views of the city and its landmarks.

This palace hotel, protected as a national historic monument, started out life as a real palace. The Shangri-La Paris was formerly the mansion home of Prince Roland Bonaparte. Bonaparte as in Napoleon Bonaparte, Prince Roland was his grand-nephew. The magnificent mansion retains many architectural details and historic elements from its famous history. You will see royal crowns, bees (a symbol of the Bonaparte family) and the letter B’s in moldings, stair railings and other places.

Le Suite Gustave Eiffel

Named for the builder of Paris’ most iconic monument, the suite’s highlight is a wrap-around terrace with direct views of the Eiffel Tower. You’re treated to a 200-degree view of the whole city skyline from La Defense on one side all the way to the Sacre Coeur on the hill on the other side. With tables and chairs on the terrace, guests can live outside, and have meals and drinks in the shadow of the great Tower.

Inside there’s a large living room, bathed in light and tower views from large French doors that can be opened. Move through the hallway, where you’ll find a powder room and then go into the big bedroom. Have a lie-down and admire those Eiffel Tower views from the bed! The suite has a walk-in closet / dressing area and a spa-like marble bathroom replete with a huge soaking tub.

In a more real sense, although expensive, the suite is very livable and feels like an exclusive Parisian pied a terre. The style retains those strong Second Empire elements in the details and furniture but has a modern sense and feel to it. Of course you also have the Shangri-La’s typical Asian influences (Shangri-La is Hong Kong-based and owned) in the artwork and art pieces.

The View

Although the mansion and hotel face away from the Eiffel Tower, the rooms and suites on the rear side have spectacular, full-length views of the tower. Many of the luxury accommodations at the Shangri-La Paris have terraces and outdoor spaces allowing you to sit and dine or enjoy some wine as you simply gaze out at the Eiffel Tower. Of course you also get the benefit of seeing the nightly light show where the tower is illuminated and seems to sparkle with a computer-generated lighting display.

The Hotel

Aside from all the history and ornate style, this is a modern luxury hotel with warm, deeply personal service and every amenity you could want. There’s a beautiful indoor pool, lit by a wall of glass, located where Prince Roland once had his stables. The Shangri-La Paris is home to Chi, The Spa, a opulent haven for beauty, skin and body treatments.

The Food

You can’t mention the Shangri-La Paris without also mentioning its wonderful food. Whether you dine at La Bauhinia, led by Chef Christopher Moret or Shang Palace, led by Chef Samuel Lee, it’s a gastronomic adventure. Shang Palace, with its Cantonese menu, is the only Chinese restaurant in France to hold a Michelin Star.

Read more of Freddy Sherman’s take on travel on his Go World Travel Blog. You can also follow more of his adventures at luxuryfred.com, on his @luxuryfred Instagram feed and on his YouTube channel.