Review: Hotel Plaza Athénée embodies what Paris is all about
By Shivani Dubey | 30 June 2026 | Food & Drink, Travel
A luxury hotel where history is immortalised and attention to detail is paramount – nothing is more quintessentially Paris than Hotel Plaza Athénée
Since it opened in 1913, Hotel Plaza Athénée has witnessed rich history in its every crevice. It is one of those rare hotels that is more than just a place to rest your head at the end of the day – it is a cultural and historical institution, where fashion, art and culture are immortalised in its hallways. Dubbed the haute couture address of Paris, Hotel Plaza Athénée is ideally located on the Montaigne Avenue, just a few steps from the banks of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower.
When it first opened, there was no way to know that it would become one of the most sought after addresses in Paris. But then the Roaring Twenties arrived, and soon the hotel turned into the place to be. Today, it embodies the legend of Parisian couture. It has played host to many celebrities and notable figures like Grace Kelly, Jackie Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor, and has most recently been immortalised in a Taylor Swift song, who has also been a guest at the property.
J’ADORE DIOR
When we arrive at avenue Montaigne, the hotel’s unmistakable red awning is eye-catching, beautifully backdropped by the glittering Eiffel Tower just a stone’s throw away. Once settled in, we are given a tour, where we’re told about the hotel’s biggest connection to haute couture: its history with the house of Christian Dior. As we walk through the hotel’s historic hallways, we learn about how Dior set up his fashion house just across the hotel and kickstarted one of the greatest creative relationships in fashion history.
Dior loved Hotel Plaza Athénée, the hotel’s very knowledgeable staff tell us. He often lunched at the hotel’s Le Relais Plaza and paid homage to the hotel in his first collection by naming two of his creations Plaza and Athénée. In fact, Dior’s legendary Bar suit was named after Plaza Athénée’s chic bar and was considered the perfect outfit for enjoying cocktails. As we continue the tour, we reach the hotel’s Haute Couture Eiffel suite, which is a tribute to Dior and to couture – complete with a couturier’s mannequin, fabrics and other designer touches. The hotel’s relationship with Dior continues today with the Dior Spa, which opened in 2008, decorated with Christian Dior sketches and vintage photos of his models at the hotel.
One consistent theme throughout the hotel is the staff’s incredible attention to detail, which we discovered not even an hour into our stay. Towards the end of the tour, we mentioned how we’d been meaning to visit the Dior Gallery (which is right next to the hotel), but the tickets were completely sold out. Within five minutes, the hotel had arranged for us to have VIP tickets to the gallery for that very evening, allowing us to continue our exploration of the history of Dior. Such a simple gesture, but it stayed with us throughout our trip.
A FEW MIDNIGHTS IN PARIS
While the hotel has an incredibly impressive history, its suites, interiors and the staff help elevate this classic French haven to another level. The 154 bedrooms and 54 suites of the hotel are real Parisian apartments in classic or art deco style, offering the latest comfort in terms of technology. Upon arrival at our breathtaking suite, we were greeted with a bottle of Moët & Chandon champagne as well as some beautiful tangerines and chocolates to share. One thing that immediately caught my friend’s attention was the scentsory element of the hotel. Later when we’d be back in London, she would remark how she had attached her memory of the hotel to the scent, and will always remember it long after she’d left the hotel.
Beyond the breathtaking suites and rooms, there are plenty of places to dine, lounge and relax in. From the chandelier adorned La Galerie (where we had probably the greatest breakfasts of our lives) and the seasonally changing La Cour Jardin to the La Terrasse Montaigne, the Bar and of course, Le Relais Plaza, at Plaza Athénée, you are truly spoilt for choice.
At Jean Imbert au the Plaza Athénée, we enjoyed a classic French breakfast, complete with the most beautiful croissants and pastries I’d ever seen, as well as fruit bowls (with all the mangoes we could ever ask for), smoked salmon, eggs benedicts, mini pancakes and more. It was truly a breakfast of champions that fuelled us for a day of exploring Paris and Versailles.
Our favourite meal, however, was at Le Relais Plaza. A restaurant that is so iconic, it literally birthed Dior’s Bar suit. Each table has a history to it. The restaurant’s manager pointed out everything, from the table that Jackie Kennedy preferred to dine in to the spots Christian Dior and Grace Kelly would sit at. Dior would regularly send his models wearing his latest designs to this restaurant, which has also served as an inspiration for many of his creations. 
On par with the restaurant’s history is its food, which is the brain child of chef Jean Imbert. The langoustines with mayonnaise and thermidor are a stand-out, as well as the sea bream and the lobster spaghetti. Do not leave the restaurant without indulging in its Madagascar vanilla crème brûlée – it is one of the most indulgent desserts I’ve ever had the pleasure of sampling.
Our stay at Hotel Plaza Athénée was nothing short of extraordinary. When it came time to check out, we simply did not want to leave. Staying here feels like you’re part of history; part of a legacy that stretches beyond time into something truly immortal. There is something truly romantic about this place. Something that is just so quintessentially Paris, you can only understand it once you’ve walked through its storied halls. From its grand suites and its haute couture history to the impeccable cuisine and unmatched hospitality, Hotel Plaza Athénée embodies everything that Paris is all about. It is a place you simply cannot get enough of, and I cannot wait to come back for more.
