The New Philippe Starck Hotel: Le Royal Monceau-Raffles

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“I never make architecture for architecture. I am not interested in stone, aluminium, glass, and concrete. I am interested in life. That is why a hotel for me is a movie. I imagine why people will come, why people will come back. What they will live, what they will feel. I hope for them to feel more creative, more intelligent, more elegant, more sparkling, more poetic, more foolish, more in love.” – Philippe Starck

My friend, a buyer from Prada, missed her flight to Milan and convinced the guys at Delta to give her a long enough layover in Paris to have “the most decadent lunch in the city.” But lunch hours are somewhat strict in Paris and we were too late. Having just heard about the newly refurbished Le Royal Monceau-Raffles by Philippe Starck and being a huge fan of the hotel Mama Shelter, I suggested we head there.

We were again, too late for lunch, but the lounge was open for food. And it was fantastic. We ordered Pierre Hermé hot chocolates, mushroom soup, a 33 euro fois gras porterhouse steak burger and a croque monsieur. The decor is eclectic yet restrained (for Starck) and books are situated in every corner, an extension of the rare bookstore in the front lobby. Pops of color from the back-lit bar, the ceilings and the courtyard contrast with the more traditional wood paneling, tall curtains and chandeliers. On a cold winter day in Paris, we felt warm and comfortable.