Travel
Perfect Paris :: A Few Wonderful Days in the City of Light by Jason Salzenstein
EDGE National Style & Travel EditorWednesday Nov 12, 2008
Most people think of Europe as a "big" destination- somewhere you go when you have a 10-day or two-week vacation. Living on the East Coast however, getting to Paris is fairly easy; get on a flight at night, pop a sleeping pill, and wake up in the "city of light." If you’ve got an extra-long weekend or a short week, Paris is the perfect pick.
Before You Go
Even more so than with other cities, I’ve found that one way to make a trip to Paris much easier is to plan ahead. You don’t have to be completely OCD and map-out every hour of every day (although I do... and my traveling companions hate me for it), but having a general roadmap definitely helps things run a bit more smoothly. Obviously you’ll book your hotel well before you get there, and I also recommend arranging your airport transfers before leaving as well. I also recommend making reservations for any restaurants that you know you’d like to eat at before leaving as well; in Paris, top restaurants are often booked weeks in advance and unless you speak excellent French and can impress the maitre d’, you won’t get in.
When researching hotels and restaurants, pick up a copy of the classic go-to guide, Michelin’s Main Cities of Europe 2006. The guide lists thousands of restaurants and hotels; all rated using their famous star system. You can pretty much be assured that any Michelin-rated hotel or restaurant is going to be gay-friendly, but if you want to be absolutely certain, once you’ve found something in the Michelin guide, cross-reference it by Googling the name of the hotel and "gay friendly;" you’ll easily have your answer.
It’s often said that "The Devil’s in the details," and there are very few times when this is more evident than when planning travel. This is especially true for Paris. Taking care of air and hotel is only the first- and usually the easiest- step. Getting from the airport to the hotel- and then planning the rest of your trip- can be quite a task. For those looking to make things much easier, Discover France can set you up with airport transports (in everything from a standard 4-door sedan to a stretch limo), museum and metro passes, tickets to shows (including Lido and the Moulin Rouge), and much more. You simply tell them what you want to do and they work with you to plan everything. You receive a package well before you leave with everything you need to enjoy the "City of Light’" in style and stress-free.
Where to Stay
The "City of Light" has two Paris Hiltons, both of which are fabulous, neither of which are trampy blondes. For Americans, the Hilton hotels offer the ability to return home each night to the familiarity of an American-style hotel with services and conveniences we’re used to. Unlike smaller boutique hotels- that certainly have their own advantages and charm- the rooms at the Hiltons are large (by European standards) and air-conditioned, and have a mini-fridge, room service, gym, etc. Having said that, don’t expect a boring "American" hotel; both Paris Hiltons are located in the heart of the city and as such, are full of Parisian style.
Hilton Arc de Triomphe
If you’re looking for the glitz, glamour and style that Paris is known for, the four-star Hilton Arc de Triomphe is the way to go. Just a few blocks from the famed Champs Elys�es, the Art Deco d�cor, fabulous service, and beautiful, spacious rooms are accentuated by a fabulous restaurant- Le Safron- and the Purple Bar, as well as a fitness center and every other amenity you’d expect from a four-star property. Sip a glass of Champagne in the spacious lobby, meet friends at the bar, or just relax on the terrace. One thing I highly recommend is taking an afternoon to enjoy a treatment at the Spa Mosaic, a full-service spa located on premises.
Hilton Paris, Eiffel Tower
Just across the river on the left bank lies the Hilton Paris Eiffel Tower. Slightly less expensive and more like a classic American Hilton, the rooms here aren’t quite as "French" but they’re a tad larger, and a stone’s throw from Paris’ most famous landmark. Here, you’ll get the same great Hilton service, with a touch less luxury. There’s no spa, but other services and amenities are just as good. If you’re looking to save a bit of cash and don’t plan on spending much time in your hotel, this is a very comfortable, familiar-feeling option, and one I recommend highly.
Next :: What to do... and where to shop!
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