When it comes to staying in a city, you often seem to be spoilt for choice when choosing a luxury hotel. Sometimes, though, there is a hotel that stands out from the rest through an amazing location, unique facilities, or just the quality of its service. Some of these luxury hotels are renowned as the most famous or prestigious in their respective cities, while others are not as well known but remain the accommodation of choice for discerning visitors. Here are the hotels of choice for five of the most exciting cities around the world.

The City: Marrakesh

The Hotel: La Sultana

Staying at this luxurious Moroccan Riad is like taking a step back in time, as great efforts have been made to make La Sultana a real feast for the eyes. It is laid out in traditional style around a central courtyard, and each of the lounges and bedrooms are decorated with antique furniture, marble bathrooms, sculptured ceilings, and paintings alongside the traditional features of a luxury hotel room.

This hotel has more to it than just opulent décor. It is a complete spa hotel, with an amazing hammam, sauna, and a beauty centre offering numerous luxury health treatments. Rounding off the hotel’s features are a restaurant, elegant bar and a swimming pool. For a taste of traditional Moroccan luxury, hotels don’t get any better than this.

The City: Rome

The Hotel: Portrait Suites

There are plenty of big name luxury hotels in Rome, but if you are looking for something a little different, a stay at the Portrait Suites, located on the famous Via Condotti, could be perfect for you. Elegance and class are the essential qualities at this boutique hotel, and it’s no surprise – the hotel is owned and run by the Ferragamo fashion house.

With only 14 studios and suites, this is a highly exclusive place to stay and, as you would expect from this “fashion hotel”, the décor of the suites is stylish and tasteful. Particular importance is placed on the materials used, including boar skin and marble, and each studio is furnished with a bar corner, kitchenette and other mod cons.

The City: Paris

The Hotel: The Plaza Athenee

Since it first opened its doors in 1911, this luxury hotel has provided the very best accommodation in the heart of Paris. Located between the Champs Elysees and the Eiffel Tower, the Plaza Athenee is in a perfect central location. And with members of staff outnumbering rooms by three to one at this luxury hotel, a high quality of service comes guaranteed.

As well as being perhaps the best place to stay in France’s capital, the Plaza Athenee is also one of the trendiest places to drink thanks to its famous cocktail bar. If this wasn’t enough, Alain Ducasse, the most acclaimed chef in France – with a total of 14 Michelin stars – is Head Chef, making a stay at this hotel a serious culinary delight.

The City: London

The Hotel: Charlotte Street Hotel

For those looking for the finest boutique hotel in London, they need look no further than the Charlotte Street Hotel. Perfectly located in London’s West End, this hotel is filled with Bloomsbury paintings and bronze statues – all adding to the warmth and difference of the place. Every bedroom is uniquely decorated with artworks and handmade furniture, and the décor is an elegant mixture of art-deco and contemporary. This boutique hotel also features a cinema showing black and white classics, a gym and classic cuisine is available downstairs at Oscars, the bar and restaurant of the Charlotte Street Hotel.

The City: Geneva

The Hotel: La Reserve

This luxury spa hotel is undoubtedly one of the finest places to stay for a visit to Geneva, even though it is located just outside the city itself! La Reserve is in the middle of a ten acre park on the edge of Lake Geneva and the city can be reached by a daily boat service. The décor of this spa hotel reflects its beautiful surroundings and mahogany and marble keep a classy and natural feel throughout. The magnificent spa offers a great range of health and beauty treatments and the hotel also features three outstanding restaurants. For a relaxing holiday in beautiful surroundings, it is hard to beat La Reserve.

When it comes to the elegant things of life the French have no rivals. Whether we are talking about fashion, interior design or furniture style, they have that “je ne sais quoi” that makes everything they touch desirable and glamorous.

French fashion has always been elegant, forward thinking and lavish, just like French furniture. If women have always wanted to wear the most beautiful clothes from the best French designers, now there is a craze for furnishing our homes with glamorous French furniture. In a way it’s like extending the fashion trends into our homes. If you want to dress yourself with the most elegant ensemble, why not dress your bedroom accordingly?

A smart and eclectic mix of different French styles will turn your house into a stylish and comfortable home. Create the perfect reading corner with a gorgeous Louis XV armchair, or turn your bedroom into a boudoir with a delightful French Armoire and a Rococo style bed – there aren’t any rooms that won’t benefit from a little French styling.

But where does this craze come from? It all definitely started in Paris, in the 17th century under Louis XIV – “le Roi Soleil” – who ruled from 1643 to 1715, the longest reign of any European monarch. The reign of the French king Louis XIV commences what experts would call the start of ‘elegant’ furniture design in France. French furniture became refined in design, with a lot of emphasis on flowing, symmetrical design. Louis XIV saw the birth of Baroque style. The Versailles Palace was decorated in a strong, dramatic and exuberant style echoing the king’s strong leadership in a period of war and colonial empire building. The French classical Baroque style was grand and impressive, a symbol of the king’s power.

The French aristocracy became obsessed with interior design, beauty, decadent living, and French furniture became desirable, and crazed for ever since.

When Louis XIV died in 1715, his five-year-old great-grandson became Louis XV. As he was too young to take the throne, his uncle Philippe, the Duke of Orleans, was appointed Regent until the king attained legal majority in 1723. The transitional period between the opulent baroque period and the less formal rococo era of Louis XV became known as French Regence.

There are as many styles in the world of furniture and design as there are tastes to desire them. From the somber dark woods of the Jacobean period to the geometric characteristics of Art Deco, there is something for everyone, and often making a choice is the hardest part. They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and it is certainly true in the furnishing world.

Let’s run through some of the more well-known styles, defining and categorizing them so that with a little understanding, we can better analyze our tastes and desires. From rustic to formal, simple to elaborate, furniture creates a mood and shows off personal taste to best effect.

17th Century Furniture – Furniture has come a long way from the heavy 17th century Jacobean influences. This mediaeval-style furniture was typically plain wood with rush seats, straight lines and characteristically dark wood. In later years Early American style evolved, with typical European influence brought by the immigrants to the New World of America. In contrast, Louis XIV was busy creating the splendours and opulence of Versailles, with ornate gold carvings, fine artwork and magnificent craftsmanship in every room.

The later William and Mary style brought trumpet turned legs, ball feet and padded upholstery to English parlours with a new look in oriental lacquer work.

18th Century Furniture – As Queen Anne ascended the English throne in 1702, furnishings became more refined, with graceful cabriole legs, rococo ornate trimmings and shell curves. Tapestry and chintz were popular and this became known as Queen Anne style.

Colonial style American furniture was more conservative than English furniture of the same period, featuring carved pillars and less ornamentation. Following Queen Anne, Georgian style appeared and was particularly identifiable in architecture. In furniture, carved cabriole legs were the fashion, along with S-shaped curves and motifs. In the latter half of the 18th century, Chippendale furniture was in vogue, especially after the publication of Chippendale’s book of designs. His furniture was graceful, delicate and cultured and was further developed by Adam and Hepplewhite who introduced tapered legs, veneers and inlay to great effect.

From 1780-1820 Sheraton style was the most reproduced style in America during the Federal period, with bow-fronted chests and cabinets. Chairs now had sloping arms and upholstered seats with central splat detail on the backs.

19th Century Furniture – Shaker furniture is still a popular style today. It is defined by the simple, utilitarian furniture approved of by the religious communities in America. It is typically plain and unadorned, as was the architecture and lifestyle of those early immigrants.

Back in England, the Victorian era heralded much heavier and darker furniture than before. It is easily recognizable by its Gothic influence, and heavy substantial proportions. It often had elaborate carving or ornamentation to offset the dark finish of the oak, mahogany and walnut woods.

20th Century Furniture, and Onwards – With the dawn of the 20th century, Art Nouveau was a refreshing change. Furniture made a tremendous departure from what had gone before. Chair backs were balloon-shaped or bentwood. Furniture had curving lines, scalloped fronts and intricate patterns. This morphed into the Art Deco period which featured abstract designs, ornamental motifs, rectilinear shapes and a certain geometric style. It took the world by storm at the Paris Exhibition of 1925 after the dreary days of World War I. The Art Deco style is clearly illustrated in the pastel-coloured architecture of South Beach, Miami and the furniture within.

In furniture the Mid-Century Modern style was progressing, particularly influenced by Charles and Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen and Gio Ponti, whose mass-produced designs in man-made materials revolutionised furniture in the mid 20th century western world.

From the 1960’s onwards furniture became Contemporary. Scandinavian ideas featured light natural wood, with simple lines, utilitarian design and very little ornamentation. This was later developed still more by such designers as Marc Newson into the Post Modern and Contemporary style which is popular today for modern homes.

This is the story so far, but progress does not stand still. With the advent of new materials, glass furniture and new innovations, styles continue to develop. No doubt by the end of the 21st century, several new terms will have been added to the dictionary of furniture design and style.

From contemporary modern furniture, all the way back to antique furniture – Crawleys Furniture has a wide range of items that can work with your home or office needs.

The French capital is a tried and trusted destination for meetings and events – but it is still able to surprise. John Keenan reports

Paris MICE hotels and services

Browse MICE and corporate hotels in Paris on the Great Hotels of the World website – including detailed meeting information, photos, reviews and more. 

next event please visit the Great Hotels of the World MICE page.

For more information on MICE events in Paris contact Corine Bernadou:  Tel: +33 (0) 1 49 52 53 96 / cbernadou@parisinfo.com

You must start with the Seine. The river is the reason the city exists and to this day provides a vital artery to commercial life in the French capital. The touristic Bateaux-Mouches are a familiar sight on the waterway, as inevitable as umbrellas in April, but ship-owner Didier Spade has taken a hackneyed concept and given it a postmodern twist. His Clipper Paris is decked out with sofas, banquettes and armchairs and looks more like a determinedly trendy club than a boring boat. The main and sun decks are 200 sqm each and can comfortably accommodate 100 people for a cocktail reception and 150 people for a seated dinner.

It is an example of how suppliers in Paris are bending traditional formats into decidedly up-to-date forms. Over two freezing days earlier this year, in the tutelary company of Helene Hubert from the Paris Convention Bureau, I was introduced to an array of refurbished, remodeled and restored venues which demonstrated that the French capital is capable of surprising the most proficient Paris planner. 

At Cite de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, opposite the Trocadero, Zoe Macedo, head of events, threaded us expertly through examples of French architecture from the 12th century to the modern age, explaining how the 12 reception rooms and auditorium can be put to use by events and conference organisers. The largest area, the Galerie des Moulages at 3,420 sqm, is more appropriate for a reception rather than anything formal. The Cathédrale area is more manageable at 380 sq m, while the 250 sq m auditorium is a thoroughly contemporary meeting space with all the bells and whistles one would demand.

Across the road on Avenue George Mandel, 6 Mandel is a gorgeous 19th century Parisian townhouse adapted to the needs of the 21st century events planner. The rooms comprise 95 sqm of events space plus a 130 sq m garden within sight and shadow of the Eiffel Tower. I used my imagination and pictured a perfect soiree on a warm’s summer’s eve. The house at 6 Mandel once belonged to Jacques Homberg, Christian Dior’s close companion, and one can imagine the pair shopping for presents at Café Fauchon near the Madeleine. The shop pays homage to all things tasty, tempting and ever-so-slightly transgressive from coffee, condiments and spices to biscuits, patisseries and macaroons… you can practically feel your blood sugar levels heading upwards as you navigate the immaculate aisles. Upstairs a separate terrace is available for meetings of up to 250 people.

Following our visit, Hubert and I worked off the calories with a spirited stroll from the Place de la Madeleine across the Boulevard Haussmann to Rue La Fayette, to see a 120 sqm blank canvass in the heart of the city. Whether L’Appart Lafayette looks elegant, funky or formal is completely down the taste and imagination of the client. Well-suited for product launches and press conferences, this is not the place to bring your dancing shoes – the floor won’t take it. But dancing, playing air-guitar and just about any other form of adolescent exhibitionism is positively encouraged at the ‘rock ‘n’ luxe’ Murano in the Marais area. This is not a hotel, please note: it is an ‘urban resort.’ Meeting rooms are not the top item on the agenda at this property, and if you are the kind of client who balks at the idea of presenting your pitch in a bar-lounge to the accompaniment of a track last heard in Ibiza in the late 90s, then the Murano is not for you. You don’t have to be groovy to stay here, but it probably helps.

Another hip and happening meeting space can be found in the distinctly edgy north-east tip of the city. The Centquatre, a former funeral parlour, is a huge light-filled event space and home to the largest collection of in-house artists in Europe. My visit coincided with a residency by British trip-hop big-wig Tricky and equally as impressive is the 39,000 square metre function space. The publicity material includes much worthy comment about the ‘production of living thought’, but of more practical use are the studios, showrooms and workshops which provide modern meeting and events facilities.

If the artistic innovation at Centquatre is your thing, chances are you will also feel at home in the eccentric environment of the Mama Shelter hotel, close to the Pere Lachaise Cemetery. This property has literally got quirky designer Philippe Starck written all over it – from the ‘provocative’ graffiti in the lift to the comic-book masks and i-Macs in the rooms. Owner Serge Trigano promised me that traditional service values at the 172-room hotel have not been chucked away with the more conventional trappings of comfortable furniture and discreet decorations.

Back on more conventional ground, both literally and figuratively, the Académie Diplomatique Internationale (ADI) on Avenue Hoche, near the Arc de Triomphe and Parc Monceau, is a prestigious location, comprising five separate meeting rooms which can be privatised for up to a total 350 guests. But be warned: you must give plenty of notice as the building normally hosts diplomatic events but can be hired for a few days every month for meetings and special events.

If the accent at the ADI is on the formal, the ambiance at the Païva Restaurant at the foot of the Champs-Élysées is decidedly unceremonious. The former townhouse of a 20th-century courtesan, renovated by renowned interior decorator Jacques Garcia, is a riot of purple and red furnishings – check out the stars on the ceiling. It’s one more instance of how established venues in the French capital are discovering a contemporary twist.

Rooms for improvement

Nestled on the rue de Berri, just off the Champs-Elysees, the Hotel California has no connection with the famous Eagles tune. In fact, the atmosphere is far more Parisian chic than West Coast cool. The 18-room (plus 16 suites) property has nine meeting rooms ranging from the Pasedena 1, which at 25 sqm can hold up to 20 people to the San Francisco II, which has 120 sqm and can accommodate up to 200 people. As sales manager Sylvia Pietsch points out, the property was refurbished in 2004 preserving the comfortable ambience of the old property while installing the thoroughly modern gadgetry that today’s planners insist upon.

Contemporary equipment and spanking new rooms are the dominant themes at the Meridien Etoile. An established player in the Paris meetings market, and now part of the Starwood organisation, the hotel has added two new rooms to its meetings roster: offering 661 and 484 sqm the combined spaces can accommodate up to 1,200 people. The overall meetings offer comprises 25 conference rooms with more than 2,500 sqm of space. Bang opposite the Palais des Congrès, the hotel has 1,025 rooms – chic, it may be; boutique it definitely is not. At the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, all is luxe, calme et volupté. It’s easy to be overawed by the magnificent public areas, festooned with fine art and gorgeous furnishings, but the gracious staff (epitomised during my visit by marketing communications manager Coralie Malazdra) mix a pleasing lack of formality with a practiced professionalism which puts you entirely at ease. The meeting rooms are similarly appealing – 12 all told, from 31 sqm to the beautiful 162 sqm ballroom.

And if you can tear yourself away from the hotel, the best shops in Paris are temptingly on the doorstep – as is the charming Hotel Lotti, tucked discreetly along Rue Castiglione. The property was the brainchild of the Duke of Westminster and the eponymous M. Lotti, one time maitre d’ at the Continental Hotel. Opened in 1910, it retains its old-school atmosphere. Five years ago, the hotel opened a new wing which added 44 bedrooms along with brand new conference facilities. Today the Lotti has eight meeting rooms which can hold up to 100 people. The restaurant – a tasty slice of Italy in the heart of Paris – is also available for group hire.

For my money, the most beautiful hotel ballroom in Paris is located within the InterContinental Paris Le Grand on Rue Scribe. It is one of 21 (count them) meeting rooms ranging from the smallest which can host 10 people for a banquet to the ballroom itself which can hold 600. The hotel is a Parisian landmark – it opened amid much excitement in 1862 and remains a byword for sumptuous events. The Café de la Paix is renowned in its own right.

The Crown Plaza on the Champs-Elysees can’t boast such an illustrious history but what it lacks in heritage it makes up for quirky ambience. This is not your standard Crown Plaza – designed by Bruno Borrione (who, almost inevitably, was a student of Philippe Starck) the property is an eclectic mix of natural timbers and modern furnishings. The 300 sqm meeting room can hold up to 260 people.

Last and far from least, the Westin Paris, overlooking the Tuileries gardens, is a gorgeous grand dame of a property. Rivaling the InterContinental for jaw-dropping opulence, this is an unashamedly upmarket place. The meeting rooms – festooned with frescos in the style of the second empire (that’s 1850-1870 for those whose French history is a little rusty) – the total of 1,982 sqm can hold up to 1,000 people. The Salons Castiglione, Feuillants, Mont-Thabor, Rivoli, and Saint-Honoré provide a variety of configurations for events while the Salons Tuileries and Vendome are best suited for lunch or dinners. The flamboyant is 19th-century Salon Impérial is ablaze with gilt chandeliers, red drapes and carpets while the Salon Concorde is a splendid grand ballroom. Style never goes out of fashion.

Feeding creativity

 

Any self respecting event planner has a couple of Paris-based caterers in the address book. If Butard Enescot is not one of them you really ought to do something about it. During a deeply impressive lunch, featuring (among other things) crispy scallops, crayfish mille feuille, lobster marinated in rum and a bitter chocolate truffle, Laetitia Gey outlined the company’s commitment to make each reception ‘a singular moment’. Fine words, but the genuine passion for superlative cuisine was evident in each memorable mouthful. Not exactly a new kid on the block – Butard Enescot was formed in 1997- the company is nevertheless challenging established caterers in the city with dynamism, know-how and supreme skill.

We dined at the beautiful Pavillon Royal in the Bois de Boulogne, and then took a post-prandial stroll to another magnificent events venue, the Pre Catalan. Long a favourite of aristocracy, politicians and high society, the venue is a fabulous choice even if fine dining is not on the menu – it offers 13 elegant rooms ranging from 32 sqm to 800 sqm, and can host from 20 to 1,400 guests for a reception.

In contrast to the formalism of the Pavillon Royal, the Boeuf sur le Toit is an unceremonious Art Deco gem in the heart of the city. Le Boeuf wears it brasserie heart on its sleeve and the tables crowded with local families are testament to its enduring appeal. The diners at the Chiberta are also local but likely to be more recognizable to anyone who keeps an eye on the French press. The restaurant’s Michelin-starred cuisine and seemingly bottomless wine list make it a favourite with the powerbrokers, media savvy, famous – and would-be famous.

 

A more traditional mainstay of typically French high cuisine, the Lassere is as French as foie gras – and how you react to that idea will tell you whether this establishment will strike you as inspired or insufferable – I plump for the former, won over by the polite and informative staff and the unexpected eccentricity of the sliding roof.

On my final evening in the capital Helene Hubert and I dined at La Grande Cascade on the Allee de Longchamp, once more in the Bois de Bologne. A Belle Epoque beauty, the restaurant has a number of private rooms which can be taken over exclusively for groups. We toured the rooms after a lengthy and very Gallic dinner involving game, truffles, and, bien sur, foie ras de canard poivre et sel. Paris has many different faces, but some things never change.

Case study

Toward the end of last year, Paris-based Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) was asked to produce an exceptional event for 80 of the best clients of a well-known financial institution. It was to be an all-inclusive tailormade event; assistance would be provided to each attendee; and the on-site co-ordination would take place in a sophisticated venue renowned for its cuisine.

CWT was charged with end-to-end event management, comprising venue sourcing, delegate welcome, on-site assistance, and around-the-clock service.

The chosen venue was Pavillon Ledoyen.  The Pavillon was built in 1791 by Pierre-Michel Doyen, scion child of a famous catering family. It was redesigned in 1842 and is located amid chestnut trees, beside a manicured lawn and peaceful fountains, within a graceful neo-classical facade.

CWT account director at CWT Meetings & Events in France, Christophe Colvin says: “Our objectives were to create a wonderful experience for these important clients and to introduce new products. The event had to be original and high-end. The delegates were French employees of a large US-headquartered company. For the French people, food is very important – and our presentation reflected this. The delegates were treated like stars; good food, good wine, good conversation.

“The budget was dedicated totally to the event – it was not spent on travel or accommodation. By focusing on the clients exact needs we were able to create a memorable event. For me the twin pillars of a successful event are re-invention and creativity.”

A brief word

We asked a leading Paris-based destination management company to respond to a hypothetical brief:  a pan-European company needs to retain staff and strengthen its upscale brand image internally. The programme comprises a two-day conference including break-out sessions, a keynote address by the CEO and a gala dinner on the final evening.

Michele Hensley, Allied France

The arrival and departure transfers can be arranged via different types of vehicles, from de luxe motor coach, van or private car to motorbike transfer. A two-day conference can be enhanced with activities during the morning and afternoon coffee breaks such as distribution of baby trees, massages, caricaturists, cooking activities or a Paris quiz. The activities will be selected according to the demographic of attendees. For the farewell evening dinner, depending on attendees demographic and budget we suggest one of the following: themed dinner in one of the Paris’ pavilions, or a dinner cruise with entertainment to allow the participants to discover the City while dining, or a fun and interactive dinner in the Funfair Museum or lastly the best in terms of classical dinner an evening in the Palace of Versailles, starting with the visit of the state apartments on a private basis for the participants, followed by a dinner in the gallery of battles along with music and period entertainment and costumes.

Vital indicators: Paris

Value for money – 3

Paris ranks with London and New York as a world-class capital – with world-class prices. You don’t have to have a behemoth budget to get the best out of the city – but it certainly wouldn’t hurt.

Infrastructure – 4

The French capital has been drawing crowds ever since Napoleon Bonaparte launched his first European tour. It knows how to cope with groups of all scale and size.

The X-factor -4

Some clients might claim to have seen it, done it and bought the Eiffel Tower t-shirt – but Paris has ways of reinventing itself which should not tax the imagination of the enthusiastic organiser.

Access – 4

Charles de Gaulle is the busiest airport in Europe bar Heathrow – with all that implies. Not the most centrally located hub, which means transfers demand plenty of aforethought. Brits-based in southern England have the option of the Eurostar – a convenient and speedy, if not cheap, alternative.

Luxury Investment – 3

It’s been two year since the Marriott Rive Gauche shook things up with its 60s-style revival. The five-star hotel sector has been pretty quiet since then.

Conclusion

Paris regularly tops the short-haul league tables for most European event planners. It remains well-placed to capitalise on its strengths when its neighbours, and its own, economic fortunes are revived.

Hotel de Sers is one luxury hotel in the heart of Paris that you’ll want to give high five for. Its impressive exterior and cozy interiors beckon to the traveler into its warm fold. If your garrulous cab driver drops you off at Champs Élysées there is no need to curse and fret. You can wheel your luggage all the way down to the hotel which – did you know by the way – is only two minutes away?

This modern luxury five star hotel rising proud and discreet in the bejeweled realms of Avenue des Champs Élysées was thrown open to the public in 1994. The chateau-like edifice housing an impressive array of French paintings by distinguished artists, and its open restaurant in an emerald garden are just some of the hotel’s highlights.

The guestrooms and suites – all fifty-two of them – are imbued with soft lights and shades offering lovely, panoramic views of the city, the magnificent Eiffel Tower included.

The guest rooms on the third floor of the hotel are well-decorated with rosewood furniture and fine fabrics. The mauve shade of the wall-to-wall carpet sets off the imaginatively accessorized artwork and furniture to the best advantage. Modern techno touches like the B&O TV set, ADSL high-speed internet, mini-bar et al are not to be missed.

Simply magnificent are the two Panoramic Suites of the hotel’s top floor. As the name itself suggests, they offer a sweeping view of the city’s magnificent skyline. Well-lighted and set off in brilliant colors of mauve, white, and deep red the panoramic suites come replete with a living room, bedroom, bathroom (with separate showers) and a scenic terrace.

But if you wish to feel completely independent, don’t forget to check out the apartments of the seventh floor which too, offer lovely, panoramic views of Paris and all the facilities of a five star luxury hotel.

You can dine in your room or go down to The Restaurant with stylish minimalist furnishings with cherry-colored drapes and white lamps giving the place a delicious red and gold appearance. Or, you might want to sip piping hot tea at the Patio in the open air, taking in the manicured jardins and the deep blue Parisian sky under a vast canopied space.

You may spend your evenings at the bar lounge which is avant-garde yet not forward with rosewood and ivory paneling in subtle mauve shades highlighting the luxury of the place. The bar offers a range of cocktails and champagne that you can always enjoy before preparing for dinner.

For those interested in knowing about the history of the place, Hotel de Sers was actually a mansion built around 1880 by a country gentleman who used it like a second home. In the 100 odd years that it has been around, it has undergone quite a few dramatic changes. The latest are for all to see. Livable yet stylish, contemporary but not overly modernist- that is what this 19th century sensible piece stands for.

It’s always interesting to follow the trends worldwide in fashion and design, but if you really want to know what the newest styles and ideas are, you should track the developments in Paris. The French are always fashion forward, and Paris is the fashion capital of the world, whether you are talking about clothes or furniture. To be in the know and ahead of the general public, you have to follow the market in France. One of the more popular trends in French bedroom furniture right now is to install a mini bar in the bedroom, complete with all the accessories and barstools.

In France, most people are laid back and unconcerned with many aspects of life, with the except of style and fashion. Being as hip and trendy as they are, the French are quite fond of contemporary bedroom furniture, which is less ornate than many of the more classic styles of old. In fact, there is little if any detail work directly applied to the furniture of choice, and all details are typically added through the d?r and theme design in the room. In fact, this works out better for them because they can be fickle and change their style frequently with aspirations of instant gratification, one thing they do have in common with Americans.

This is important because it leads to the decision to use contemporary bar stools and counters for the bar they are going to build. After all, it would look a bit ridiculous to have a simple platform bed with no intricacies matched up with an ornate 18th century English bar. Instead, the French are quite careful to make sure their styles match from top to bottom of a room. If they are going for shabby sheik, every last detail is refined to give this impression, for example.

While you can find some ultramodern styles in metal, most French people prefer wood bar stools for their bar, as it looks more elegant, is sturdier, and often matches the rest of their bedroom d?r better. Interestingly, it is often also cheaper, despite its superior quality to most of the metal products on the market. Of course, this is all based on personal taste, and even in France, many will look to be different from the crowd or seek out that perfect metal setup that is trustworthy and high quality design.

Perhaps making sure the home bar matches the master bedroom furniture is the number one concern of the Frenchmen as they built their little watering hole. Luckily, that’s easy to do, since barstools come in pretty much all the same wood types as the beds and accessory furniture on the market. In fact, those who are especially excited about the mini bar will design the entire bedroom around this part of the room rather than vice versa. Watching the French advance in their designs can definitely provide tips and ideas for your own home that will be entirely fashion forward just like the fashion capital of the world!

Your bedroom is an oasis, a sanctuary, a hidden space where you can relax and get away from the world after a long hard day. Your bedroom and bedroom furniture need to fit in with this oasis theme, not to mean you need to have pictures of palm trees on the wall and your bed should be a hammock, but whatever idea you have in your own mind of what a safe haven is, your bedroom needs to be it.

Decorating your bedroom is a little different than decorating any other room in your house, it is your hidden treasure, its not on show like the living room or the kitchen. People aren’t going to see your bedroom; none of your guests are going to socialize in your bedroom, and so you can paint it, decorate it, furnish it, exactly to your taste.

What bedroom themes are available? Here are some styles that you may want to consider, do any of these relate a relaxing and tranquil atmosphere to you?

French Bedroom Furniture – French up your bedroom with this gorgeous and extravagant theme. The bed frame and the furniture are filled with intricate designs and lavish style, bold colours of deep reds and flowing black drapes. Everything about this style says romance and love. Bring the romantic charm of Paris to you and turn your bedroom into a stunning antique French suite… oo la la!

Retro Bedroom Furnishings – What is retro? It’s funny that retro is associated to modern and new funky furniture and cool themes and yet it has been this way since the 60′s! Retro is all about less is more, clean straight lines, plain block colours, and funny different designs. Very different designs infact, retro take the simplest style of furniture such as a bedside table and turn what a normal box design would be into the shape of a Cola bottle for example, but it is this difference that makes retro stand out from the crowd. Retro says now, in the moment, abstract art and peculiar shapes, its clean and interesting.

A Country Bedroom Theme – the country style is warm, loving, and family orientated. It takes style and mixes it with the love of a big family and you get this amazing shabby chic theme that you cannot help but love. It’s full of oak wooden furniture, distressed floor boards, big comfy sofas that you can fall into, white walls, and homemade knitted bed quilts. The theme to this style is family, organic, goodness, and a big heart.

These are just a few themes for your bedroom and bedroom furniture you may want to consider and remember you don’t have to stick to just one theme, try incorporating a bit of retro to your country bedroom, mix and match and be playful, your bedroom your rules.