Hotel Fouquet’s Barriere Review

BELMOND HOTEL CARUSO

When it comes to five star hotels, Paris can certainly lay claim to an abundant supply of famous, opulent properties, many of which have been operating for decades. For a hotel to open in this market and compete amongst the quality on offer, it needs to be something special, something with a certain ‘x-factor’. Hotel Fouquet’s Barriere may not be a name you’ve heard of, but it has certainly caused a stir since its much-anticipated opening in 2006. In a very short space of time, this unique hotel has earned a reputation for being one of the finest options in the city.

Location wise, the hotel is perfectly positioned on the corner of the Champs-Élysées and Avenue George V, right in the heart of the designer shopping district. Watch as crowds queue across the street every morning, just to say they purchased their Louis Vuitton handbag from the Paris flagship store. Or for a spot of people-watching, stroll along to one of the many upmarket cafés lining the famous stretch of real estate for a strongly brewed coffee and a freshly baked pastry. Five minutes walk will have you at the Arc De Triomphe, another fifteen, the Eiffel tower.

Hotel Fouquet’s Barriere is billed as a 21st century Parisian palace and in that respect, it certainly delivers. A classic Haussmann era building that has been cleverly restored and combined with modern structures, shapes and artistic flourishes. The interiors, by the renowned Jacques Garcia are innovative and clever. Sophisticated and elegant, with splashes of colour and bold design elements that give a refined retro touch. The spaces are all complemented by mood lighting that creates a very chic, cool ambience. The overall look and feel is refreshing in a time where too many hotels play it safe, creating properties that seem to have a ‘sameness’ quality to them. If this hotel wanted to make a statement on the stage that is high-end Paris, it has certainly succeeded.

Hotel Fouquet’s Barriere is relatively modest in size, with just 107 rooms and suites all tastefully furnished in a similar feel to the hotel common areas. Nice fusion of empire style and art deco, decorated with leather, Italian marble, shark skin, gold leaf and heavy velvets. The overall room fit out quality is excellent, with the lead-in rooms measuring a modest 37m2, far better than most in this price category. On the food and beverage offerings, the hotel is home to Le Diane, an intimate fine-dining restaurant serving innovative combinations presented with typical French flair. Fouquet’s Brasserie, one of the most famous of all Paris brasseries, located right on the Champs-Élysées, is the centre piece of the property and since it’s opening in 1899 has attracted the greats of the film industry. An experience not to be missed.

Aesthetically different to many of its competitors, another pleasant surprise is the service quality. It starts from when you make the initial booking, where you are sent a questionnaire asking about your likes and dislikes so they can best prepare for your arrival. What type of pillows you would prefer, what choice of complimentary drinks (just non alcoholic unfortunately) you would like your fridge stocked with, what music you would like playing in your room on arrival, type of flowers and whether you would like your butler to unpack your bags… the level of detail is astounding. It’s no surprise that with this winning combination, Hotel Fouquet’s Barriere is taking on the best of the best and succeeding

One of the other highlights of Hotel Caruso was the overall quality of the cuisine and the outstanding front of house service. Guests can choose between two restaurants, both affording peerless vistas of the Amalfi Coast: the Belvedere on the terrace is perfect for sunny days and warm evenings and the Caruso Restaurant, which boasts both a beautiful outdoor terrace and an elegant indoor dining room. The cuisine here is Mediterranean, the accent on time-honoured recipes from Naples and Southern Italy, revitalised with a contemporary twist by outstanding Executive Chef Mimmo di, who is spoilt for choice with the outstanding quality of local produce on offer. Featuring magnificent frescoes from the 18th century, the hotel bar is a perfect spot for a pre dinner drink. The Poolside Bar & Restaurant located beside the hotel’s world famous and much photographed infinity pool, was a personal favourite and where I enjoyed the best pizza I have ever had. Italians certainly know and appreciate great pizza and it’s not surprising that many rate this one of the finest in the land – honestly, worth a visit for this alone!