Hilton Paris Opera is the perfect mix of Parisian classicism and modern luxury. The hotel holds prime position in the buzzing Opera arrondissement with bars, bistros and boutiques right at its doorstep, to whet your appetite for all the temptations that the City of Light has in store.
The magical scene for a glass of wine while settling in to the Hilton Paris Opera. Image © Skye Gilkeson
A grand entrance worthy of its landmark Opera address, the beauty of the Hilton Paris Opera hits immediately as you as you enter the foyer, walking between the Scottish granite columns to check in. However, the real ‘wow’ moment came for me when I caught the first glimpse of the dazzling, Grand Salon.
Nourish
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Le Grand Salon
Le Grand Salon was where I chose to settle in to the hotel. After more than 30 hours of travel from Australia via Singapore and Zurich, I sat in a fog with a glass of rose just marvelling at my surroundings. Showcasing the building’s original architectural bones, almost every inch of the 14-metre high walls had been carefully coloured in fine frescoes. I had certainly arrived in Paris. What a wonderful welcome.
Le Grand Salon at the Hilton Paris Opera. My absolute favourite room in the hotel. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Le Grand Salon typifies the Parisian experience to me. It’s beauty floors and humbles you at the same time. It’s a reminder just how much history there is in the magical city. As I sat among business meetings and guests at leisure, I was drawn to the ceiling. Soft late afternoon light filtered in through the atrium, helped by the glow coming from the two elegant and immense chandeliers hanging above. Bold, modern artworks hung above the brass bar, echoing the black and gold theme throughout. From lounge seating, to stool seating at a high central bar, the contemporary furniture sits beautifully in the space. Even if you don’t stay at the Hilton Paris Opera, I would encourage you to stop in for an aperitif or afternoon tea. Or for a more intimate lounge atmosphere, try the cosy Le Petit Bar near the hotel’s main entrance.
Exquisite chandelier in Le Grand Salon at the Hilton Paris Opera. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Breakfast with a View
Breakfast is served in the mezzanine level restaurant. As you would expect from a Hilton hotel, the buffet menu is extensive and caters or all culinary persuasions. Scrambled eggs or eggs to order with all the trimmings, muesli, cereals, cheeses and cold meats and salads and a glowing selection of golden pastries and fresh baked baguettes. There is ample choice to keep you satisfied for a full morning of Paris perusing.
Breakfast in the ultimate Paris people watching position at the Hilton Paris Opera. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Fresh pastries and home made bread like only the French produce. Hilton Paris Opera. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Picture perfect Parisian view from the Hilton Paris Opera. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Stay
I stayed in a Twin Deluxe Room with an iconic view across the rooftops of Paris, romantically framed by red geraniums hanging from the flower pots on the outer window sill. Compared to the infamously pokey hotel rooms around Paris, the room was a comfortable size. Luxury fabrics in classic greys, blacks with pops of chartreuse gave the room a modern feel while gold and mirror trims, wall frescoes and white marble bathrooms, added a little opulence to the space. All the modern conveniences you would expect at the Hilton are in place; Wifi, cable TV, plenty of outlets for charging your tech toys and a good sized desk for those blending business with pleasure.
Modern and luxurious Twin Deluxe room at Hilton Paris Opera. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Warm welcome: A bottle of wine, chocolates and magazines waiting after a long day of travel. Hilton Paris Opera. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Move
There are plenty of very pretty green spaces around Paris for those who want to run, ride or walk in the fresh air. However, I made use of the Fitness Centre. The studio is small but cleverly laid out with treadmills and other cardio machines, free weights, a cable machine. An additional room became my go-to workout space. It acted as a small, semi-private area for weights work, pilates, yoga or HITT (High Intensity Interval Training) sessions as it was stocked with a range of functional training equipment like BOSU balls, Swiss balls, mats, resistance bands and weighted body bars.
Skye Gilkeson making good use of the well equipped Fitness Centre at the Hilton Paris Opera. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Modern and well appointed Fitness Centre at the Hilton Paris Opera is a wellness haven for fitness enthusiasts. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Explore
The location of the Hilton Paris Opera is a shoppers dream, no matter have far your purse strings stretch. The boutiques of Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and famous department stores Galeries Lafayette and Le Printemps are just a walk away, as are popular chains like Zara and H&M. Opéra Garnier, the Louvre Museum, the Champs-Elysées and other must-see Paris sights are a walk or a simple metro journey away.
Paris’ iconic sights are all a short walk or metro ride from the Hilton Paris Opera. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Hilton Paris Opera
108 Rue Saint Lazare, Paris, 75008, France
+33 1 4008 4444
The Fit Traveller was a guest at Hilton Paris Opera for this stay. As always, the opinions, words and images are authentically our own.
Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller. She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health. As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.
Skye created The Fit Traveller as a beautiful online space and community where people feel inspired to escape the desk to move and explore more.
Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.
Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her insatiable appetite for adventure.
