Best Western Premier Louvre Saint Honore

Nestled in the belly of Paris

Feeding a city like Paris, whose population is not only extremely large but also famously demanding in terms of the quality and variety of its cuisine, requires an enormous market, to supply the city's butchers, fishmongers, and grocers, as well as all of its restaurants. Up until around 1970 it was located at the heart of the French capital just a few steps from rue Saint Honoré. It was known as the "belly" of Paris. The Halles may have left the historic location they had enjoyed since 1135, but the area, which is home to the Best Western Premier Louvre Saint Honoré, has kept all its charm and unique atmosphere, as well as its traditional small restaurants. They are no longer frequented by the "tasseurs" (who created amazing displays of produce), the "soldeurs" (who specialised in unsold items), the "glaciers" (who supplied the ice used to preserve the fish), the "rouleurs" (who loaded the wagons), the "carapatins" (who drove the wagons), the "forts" (who unloaded the tons of produce, particularly the 100 kg quarters of meat), or the hawkers, delivery men, sellers and buyers from the market, but still serve simple and delicious cuisine in buildings often dating back to medieval times, whose fronts are not necessarily still straight. Buildings such as the Best Western Premier Louvre Saint Honoré, full of character and built in cut stone, displays, in its ancient balconies, moulding, and cornices, roots which date back to the 18^th century.

The interior design of the hotel not only upholds the proud elegance of its facade but offers a modern interpretation; colourful, creative and full of wonderful surprises. As such the breakfast room spectacularly leaves exposed the foundations of the building, which date back several hundred years, using them to create surroundings that are as bold as they are comfortable: Philippe Starck mesh chairs, state-of-the-art lighting, and a harmonious colour scheme are all perfectly in keeping with this. The extremely pleasant salon, around which the activity of the hotel is centred, is reminiscent of a typical Parisian town house of which it has all the features (fireplace, library, Chesterfield sofa, chandeliers, standard lamps and mirrors), but in an updated version, not lacking in humour. Furthermore, the reception is lit by two remarkable light panels created by the Argentinian designer Octavio Amado. The rooms are a little more ‘reserved', and are notable from the moment you enter for their calmness and the freshness of their design, which create an extremely restful atmosphere. They are also extremely functional and equipped with the latest multimedia technology.

The Best Western Premier Louvre Saint Honoré is located just a few steps from the Seine, the Musée du Louvre, the île de la Cité, and many other mythical places of old Paris. It is next door to the house where Molière was born in 1622 and not far from the Théâtre de la Comédie Française where the great writer died, practically on stage, fifty years later. It is an ideal location for exploring Paris on foot and, even better, for getting right to its soul which seeps out from its fountains and cobblestones, and which is evident in its cut stones, its statues and its terraces. As such the nearby crossroads of the Croix du Trahoir has long been one of the busiest in Paris, so much so that a station for sedan chairs was created here in 1639. This mode of transport, very similar to today's taxis, was the most suitable for the narrow congested streets of the time, which were often strewn with rubbish or simply muddy. Paris has of course changed a lot since then but buildings such as the Best Western Premier Louvre Saint Honoré add to the durability of its elegance, its history, and, above all, its soul.

Best Western Premier Louvre Saint Honore

141 Rue Saint Honore, Paris, France - 75001

Phone: +33 1 42 96 23 23 Fax: +33 1 42 96 21 61

Best Western Premier Pergolèse

Good taste is one of life's essentials...

In this quiet and charming street in Paris' 16th arrondissement, where F. Scott Fitzgerald spent the winter of 1930, the facade of the Best Western Premier Pergolese hotel stands out by its typically 19th-century awning. In its own way, this structure replicates the famous style introduced by Guimard to decorate Paris' metro stations, with a number of fine examples still on display at several nearby stations, like Kléber, Victor Hugo and Porte Dauphine.

The hotel is so peaceful one can easily forget that the Avenue de la Grande Armée, one of the city's most celebrated streets extending to the place de l'Etoile (Arc de Triomphe) and Champs Elysées, or the very exclusive avenue Victor Hugo and its timeless elegance are just a few steps away. All the delicacies found near the hotel (including specialty wines, gourmet chocolates and a top-rated restaurant) attest to the refinement of this chic Paris district.

Yet it's inside the hotel where the most pleasant surprises await. "Luxury is all about having the time" is a favorite line by Rena Dumas, who designed the Best Western Premier Pergolese interiors, "…the time to do things just right". And this hotel feels just right upon entering thanks to pure and simple ideas, high-quality materials, a master's touch with lighting, and the choice of aesthetic decorations and objects.

Keep in mind that Ms. Dumas build her reputation by designing the sumptuous Hermes boutiques renowned the world over. At Best Western Premier Pergolese, she chose Hilton McConnico rugs, Philippe Starck furniture, a magnificent bar with a Hermes leather cover, marble bathrooms drawn up by Andrée Putman, which contribute to a French interior decorating style that she has showcased here to better express the unique personality of this light-filled house.

The south-facing rooms are awash in light and allow, on the upper floors, for beautiful views overlooking Paris' roofs. The Suite Pergolese under the mansard roof is lit by four skylights and effuses the irresistible charm of a nest with its oak furniture and splendid bathroom separated by a glass brick wall.

The morning sunlight streaming through the ferns tastefully laid out on the Pergolese terrace, the tangy pulp of freshly-squeezed orange juice served in the leather armchair of the sitting room, the Venetian blinds gently filtering light into the breakfast room, tulips in the spring window boxes… in reality, good taste, like love, can't be defined even when all the trappings leave no doubt that we're in its sublime presence. The Best Western Premier Pergolese, without being showy or ostentatious, offers up this good taste so essential to fully savoring the Parisian lifestyle.

Best Western Premier Pergolèse

3 Rue Pergolese, Paris, France - 75116

Phone: +33 (0) 1 53 64 04 04 Fax: +33 (0) 1 53 64 04 40

Best Western Premier Hotel Opal

In the heart of Parisian fashion and luxury

Luxury and fashion are perhaps two of Paris' most alluring appeals. They developed during the 19^th century in the neighbourhood around the Madeleine Church, between Faubourg Saint Honoré and Boulevard Haussmann. The district is still home to the most emblematic shops of this unique Art de Vivre and their legendary shop windows continue to display the world's most elegant, beautiful and refined goods. It is the site of the capital's department stores - Le Printemps and Galeries Lafayette, and of Fauchon, Hédiard, Hermès and all the other luxury brand names. The founders of the department stores were visionaries who wanted to make their shops gigantic cathedrals devoted to fashion. Light years from today's profit-seeking business criteria, they never balked at harnessing, with remarkable taste and daring, the talents of the greatest architects, craftsmen, engineers and artists of their era. The dome of the Galeries Lafayette, the cupola of the Printemps, the stained-glass windows and sculpture are all monuments in their own right.

These stores were so in the midst of the most exciting current events of the era that they inspired novels (particularly by Emile Zola), made headline news and could always be depended upon to offer the best, such as Eiffel's metal structures or electric lighting far before the city actually equipped the rest of the neighbourhood. True to this tradition, they have never ceased to remain at the forefront both in terms of appeal and avant-garde trends. Every day, tens of thousands of Parisians and tourists from all over the world flock here to sample the unique pleasure of window shopping, sometimes giving into their irresistible temptation.

In the middle of Rue Tronchet that runs from La Madeleine to Le Printemps, the Best Western Premier Hotel Opal was built in 1823. Its distinguished facade was redesigned in the early 20^th century in pure Art deco style. The hotel's name, picked out in the gold lettering characteristic of the period, and the lines of the windows and balconies bear witness to this artistic movement. The rooms on the 6^th floor afford splendid views of the Garnier Opera House and its statues, the dome of the Galeries Lafayette or the facade of the Madeleine Church. The hotel is perfectly matched to the soul of this neighbourhood, as much by its timeless classical architecture and its uncompromising dedication to comfort, as by its contemporary interior design. In this district devoted to fashion, it is not a coincidence that the interior decoration of the establishment was entrusted to a woman. Valérie Manoïl has endowed the Best Western Premier Hotel Opal with a personality that is as elegant as it is sophisticated. She endeavoured in particular to make the most use of light, fitting out the suites in particular with chromatherapy bathtubs and calling upon Argentine designer Octavio Amado to design the amazing string of lights that decks the six flights of the stairwell. She also designed a striking fireplace for the lounge, which further accentuates the property's unique character, in the same manner as the Philippe Starck furniture, Murano vases, Hervé Gamb candles and exquisite wall hangings and furnishings, all of which pay playful tribute to the world of fashion.

The restaurants in the nearby streets also mirror Paris' devotion to fashion and luxury. Mollard for example, just opposite the nearby Saint Lazare railway station, and its sumptuous Belle Epoque decor, remains a stunning and quite unforgettable sight, both for the eye and the palate.

Jules Védrines, who pulled off the amazing feat of landing his plane on the rooftop of the Galeries Lafayette in 1919, just another of the many extraordinary happenings that have dotted the history of this neighbourhood, coined a charming expression to depict the parisian youth as it blossoms around the eternal Paris of the Best Western Premier Hotel Opal; he used to praise its "'âme aérienne" or "light-hearted soul".

Best Western Premier Hotel Opal

19 Rue Tronchet, Paris, France - 75008

Phone: +33 (0) 1 42 65 77 97 Fax: +33 (0) 1 42 65 66 50

Best Western Premier Au Manoir Saint-Germain des Prés

In the heart of the district where Paris discovered freedom and its music

Paris abounds in countless legends. That of Saint Germain des Prés reached its apogee in post-war France, as the country euphorically discovered freedom and the music of its liberators, jazz. The nation's youth was literally bursting with life, hopes and ideas.

This vibrant, dancing, artistic and intellectual momentum blossomed in the melting pot of the Seine's Left Bank around the Church of Saint Germain des Prés and the Sorbonne University. Its emblematic landmarks were Brasserie Lipp, Café des Deux Magots, which even treated itself to the luxury of founding its own literary prize, and Café de Flore, all of which stand either opposite or next to the Best Western Premier Au Manoir Saint Germain des Prés.

Avant-garde theatre also came to the forefront in this neighbourhood that witnessed the first staging of Samuel Beckett's play, Waiting for Godot in 1953. Artists and photographers also flocked to the district (in 1937, Picasso put the finishing touches to Guernica in his studio on Rue des Grands Augustins, where his friend Man Ray often dropped by), as did many singers, of the likes of Jacques Brel, Charles Trénet, Charles Aznavour and Serge Gainsbourg, who were all regulars in the neighbourhood, when they didn't actually live here. This boisterous crowd typically met in the district's cellar bars, among which the scandalous Bar Vert and the Tabou. These music cellars were packed with night owls artists who gathered to listen to the New Orleans jazz and frenetic Bebop tempos played by Sidney Bechet, Miles Davis and Duke Ellington at the Club Saint Germain or the Blue Note, other local institutions.

During this period, Saint Germain des Prés was one of the world's most vibrant cultural nerve centres and the Manoir Saint Germain des Prés, not yet a Best Western Premier, was its hotel. The building was built in the 18^th century. The guestrooms' windows command a fine perspective of the legendary Boulevard Saint Germain and its rooftops and church, the oldest in Paris. As its name suggests, the hotel offers the impeccable comfort one would expect from a stately home, coupled with a snug ambience depicted by walls hung with Jouy fabrics, alcove beds and on the top floor, guestrooms tucked under the eaves. It is difficult to remember you are in the heart of one of the French capital's most exhilarating and enticing districts, such is the peace and quiet that reigns in the establishment. The wainscoted breakfast room hung with romantic paintings and the graceful winter garden further accentuate this sensation of seclusion and exclusivity. An authenticity that heightens the melting flavour of the hot croissant you bite into the morning.

There is absolutely nothing artificial in the delightful "village" charm of the Best Western Premier Au Manoir Saint Germain des Prés, which simply perpetuates the neighbourhood's immortal character. All the musicians and artists that regularly stayed in this microcosm after the war or who continue to sojourn here today are unanimous in their acclaim of its charm which remains that of a timeless village with its church, tiny cobbled square, café terraces, perfect to sit and watch the passers-by and maze of narrow streets whose architecture is centuries old and where one regularly catches sight of well-known faces. Saint Germain des Prés embodies an Art de Vivre that has ever been devoted to freedom and authenticity. The Best Western Premier Au Manoir Saint Germain des Prés is definitely one of the village's most genuine institutions. This is certainly one of the two reasons that so many night-loving artists and intellectuals stopped off here to recharge their batteries after dissipating their inexhaustible creative energy and thirst for life in the local cafés and cellars. The other reason is undoubtedly the matchless location of the Best Western Premier Au Manoir Saint Germain des Prés… To get any closer to the action, you would have to set up a camp bed!

Best Western Premier Au Manoir Saint-Germain des Prés

153 Boulevard Saint Germain, Paris, France - FR-75006

Phone: +33 (0) 1 42 22 21 65 Fax: +33 (0) 1 45 48 22 25

Best Western Premier Elysees Bassano

Refined elegance amidst a flood of lights...

Of all the world's major capitals, Paris is perhaps the one with the least differentiated "downtown" given the energy and vitality throbbing in each of its individual districts. Surrounded by this vibrancy, it's still the avenue des Champs Elysées that remains the special spot where the Paris flair and style is at its most dazzling and festive. How else can one explain why hundreds of thousands of folks spontaneously jam onto the avenue each time they're given something to celebrate! What continues to draw the most prestigious names in fashion, who spend colossal sums to open their flagship stores bearing a Champs Elysées address to entice between 300,000 and 500,000 passersby a day visiting from every part of the world!

Before you is the greatest concentration of movie theaters and the most lavish gallery of luxury boutiques found anywhere on the globe. Enjoy a show at the Lido, head down to the very stylish avenue Montaigne, walk to the Arc de Triomphe, take in an exhibition at the recently renovated Grand Palais museum, stroll in the Tuileries Gardens or along the banks of the River Seine…

As hard as it may seem to believe, not even fifteen families and just two hotels are actually located on the Champs Elysées! Admittedly, this is not exactly the most restful street… The miraculous part here is the possibility of lodging only a few steps from this extraordinary source of life, benefit from all the excitement, stimulation, fantastic accessibility to all Paris has to offer, and yet still be able sleep like a baby in the charming and elegant nest found in every room of the Best Western Premier Elysées Bassano.

The extraordinary privilege of this hotel's location had to be associated with the utmost care in layout and decoration, in accord with the promise of an unforgettable stay. The essential is to offer balance and serenity as refined as the surrounding hustle and bustle is intense. This mission was perfectly accomplished by a decorator, who has also been commissioned by the famous fashion designer Christian Lacroix, so keenly aware of the interplay between material and color, sensitive to the artisan's touch since time immemorial, and capable of going to unreasonable lengths in pursuit of the detail that makes the difference in sensation, comfort and pleasure.

Have you ever noticed the extent to which a high-quality experience from start through finish is really all about detail? This is where the Best Western Premier Elysées Bassano stakes its ground: an extremely well-crafted use of refinement, delicate colors, noble materials, talent that only comes along once in a great while.

The attention placed on each room's furnishings, in the choice of prestige materials, leather, velvet, wallpaper, in the subtle harmony created by a select palette of colors, is truly unique.
You'll obviously notice the ebony wood, bed upholstery, smart colors (plum, raspberry…), quality of lighting, tasty breakfast treats, plush armchairs in the sitting room, peace and quiet of the rooms… or perhaps you'll just simply acknowledge having lived a perfectly smooth and comfortable experience, of an elegance replete with discretion, that has forever imprinted in your memory the special feeling of living Paris near the Champs Elysées.

You'll never forget the one-of-a-kind beauty exuded by this avenue's perspective (permit us to make a plug for the Christmas light show in the trees lining the avenue during December or the incandescent sun that illuminates the Arc de Triomphe in spring) and you'll relish being able to say: "I've been there and I can honestly tell you it's something to see!".

Best Western Premier Elysees Bassano

24, Rue Bassano, Paris, France - 75116

Phone: +33 (0) 1 47 20 49 03 Fax: +33 (0) 1 47 23 06 72

Best Western Premier Royal Saint Michel

Where Paris feels over a 1,000 years young...

This is Paris' birthplace - between the Ile de la Cité and the left bank of the Seine River - and was already being called the Latin Quarter during the Middle Ages in reference to the world renowned schools where nothing but Latin, the sole scholarly language of the time, could be heard. The Université de la Sorbonne just next door happens to be, along with the university in Bologna, the oldest place of higher learning in the entire Western world.

The Best Western Premier Royal Saint Michel is located in the midst of this extraordinary crucible where Paris' most historical vestiges are intimately associated with its most stimulating intellectual atmosphere and a vibrant student life.

The hotel is a gorgeous bourgeois style building, a rare find due to both its site and inherent qualities, right in the heart of the Latin Quarter. The views from the hotel balconies, facing south onto the Boulevard and the pedestrian street rue Saint Séverin, or the windows opening onto Notre Dame's towers to the east remind you that tonight you're lodging somewhere special.

The Best Western Premier Royal Saint Michel experience resembles a nest of refined comfort that beckons you home after having explored, on foot or bicycle (keep in mind one of the city's Vélib bicycle rental stations has been set up in front of the hotel), the incredible wealth of resources Paris has to offer.

When crossing the Seine for example, you'll connect with the Ile de la Cité where the city's only remaining flower market is still held every weekday. Be sure not to miss the marvelous Sainte Chapelle whose spire pierces the sky above the roofs of the Palais de Justice courthouse. Take the small bridge leading to the Ile Saint Louis in back of Notre Dame and leave yourself enough time to enjoy a sorbet served at Berthillon's shop.

You can glance back at the Best Western Premier Royal Saint Michel when strolling along the riverfront and browsing through the celebrated bookstalls. It's true the day was too short, but your hotel offers such a great spot to recount the day's events, share your Paris emotions, or write a postcard or two… before heading out for a concert in one of the district's famous clubs where post-War France first discovered the jazz of Miles Davis, Sidney Bechet, Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker: some of these musical temples have names like Le Caveau de la Huchette, Le Petit Journal, Café Laurent and Club Saint Germain (where in 1948 Django Reinhardt would park his caravan before stepping inside to play).

The hotel entrance is shielded by a glass awning, so typical of Belle Epoque buildings. The architect's talents are showcased when admiring how pleasant the lobby and sitting room feel given the relatively tight space to work with. The oak paneling lends coziness and a true sense of place, just like the old photos of the streets outside that capture the soul of this Latin Quarter locale.

Your room is sure to enchant by the serene environment and impeccable comfort it offers, with outstanding color coordination and only the best of materials (noble woods, luxurious fabrics). The bathrooms, some with windows, are especially elegant.

The breakfast room has been laid out with the same attention to good taste, in perfect harmony with the Latin Quarter aesthetic. The croissants served are delectable and a great way to start a new day of discovery, whether this be walking in the footsteps of Camus or Hemingway towards Montparnasse or making your way to the Louvre or Orsay Museum via the river bus from the quai Montebello… The Notre Dame bells are ringing. If you're lucky, you may hear as well the powerful low notes emanating from the Bourdon. It is said that, when this huge bell was created in 1685, women threw their gold jewelry into the molten metal, which explains today for that special tone in F-sharp. Just relish the thought of having so much left to see before the joyful return to the hotel.

Best Western Premier Royal Saint Michel

3, boulevard Saint Michel, Paris, France - 75005

Phone: +33 (0) 1 44 07 06 06 Fax: +33 (0) 1 44 07 36 25

Best Western Premier Amiral Hotel

Your ship in the heart of Paris...

A hotel's charm is not always found in the age of its construction, the value of its artwork or the prestige of its architects. The Best Western Premier Amiral Hotel draws its unique charm from the passion its owner shows for the sea. By offering an outstanding level of comfort plus a great location in one of Paris' southern districts, the Best Western Premier Amiral Hotel displays this noble maritime theme through its design and decoration.

The hotel architect shaped the building's volumes like the levels of a cruise ship connecting with one another via mezzanines that open quite extensively onto the hotel decks. The use of wood for both furnishings and wall paneling in many of the rooms invites comparison with a classical yacht from the first half of the 20th century.

The hotel also offers an extraordinary (and incredibly rare for Paris!) indoor swimming pool, which, despite being placed in the basement, still gets the midday sun thanks to window wells the architect had the foresight to install.

The balconies and terraces serve as gangways and feature typical gratings and handrails. On the top floor, or the "sundeck" shall we say, the hotel suite offers a magnificent deck with full southern exposure, handsomely accompanied by a selection of pretty grasses gently swaying in the breeze. This Paris district is one of the city's less dense, which allows for nice views extending over the roofline towards all compass points.

The two towers of the Saint-Anne Church rise to the east - they have been named Jules and Honorine in honor of the two wealthy benefactors who made their construction possible. The church's congregation is drawn from the area known as la Butte aux Cailles, which in present day Paris remains a real curiosity with its village atmosphere and 19th-century duplexes. These structures were built on top of underground limestone quarries that are simply unable to support heavier loads.

To the southwest, one of the city's very few clusters of tall buildings appears on the horizon; the contemporary look of these towers contrasts sharply with the more classical architectural styles surrounding their base. Paris's first actual skyscraper, containing all of 22 stories, is also located nearby; built in 1960, this edifice has been granted landmark status alongside structures dating back several centuries.

The Best Western Premier Amiral is situated at the intersection of two very distinct faces of Paris, separated by over 100 years: the tradition of a bustling village and the sturdiness of ultramodern buildings. The avenue d'Italie below is a major thoroughfare leading into the capital and out, towards southern destinations.

The Best Western Premier Amiral exudes a special flair for distant travel. Even without boarding, the attractive sailboat model in the lobby is dreamy enough to take you far away in thought.

Best Western Premier Amiral Hotel

98 avenue d'Italie, Paris, France - 75013

Phone: +33 (0) 1 45 65 12 51 Fax: +33 (0)1 45 65 13 51

Best Western Premier Opera Richepanse

Close enough to touch the soul of Paris...

In 1869, Parisian public opinion decried the unveiling of the "La Danse" sculpture, by the hand of Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, on its new opera house's right facade. Nudity, even when presented allegorically, was not easily accepted by society at the time. But this work of art has lasted the century and now winfs unanimous recognition for its power of composition and elegance to the point where the rehabilitated sculptor's name is associated with an annual award honoring a younger member of the Paris Opera troupe.

The Best Western Premier Opera Richepanse, located just down the street, also houses an original Carpeaux statue that features a typically Parisian trademark and elegance. This handsome bronze sculpture greets you in the hotel lobby on a floor made from a rare assortment of black and "Valencia yellow" marble.

Throughout Paris, this city's fabulously rich history can be read on most buildings. Despite being rebuilt in 1900, the Best Western Premier Opera Richepanse still stands on foundations that date back to the 17th century, as evidenced in the vaulted breakfast room furnished by Philippe Hurel, one of France's most stylish contemporary designers. Yet the hotel owner has opted for the art deco style to showcase the hotel's furnishings and decoration down to the finest detail. As an homage to the painter Tamara de Lempicka, celebrated for her work between the two World Wars, an extraordinary reproduction in marquetry is on display of her famous portrait of Arlette Boucard.

Pay special attention to the typical mosaic in the entrance, the door handles, bathroom tiles, the unique contours of hotel furnishings… Admire the chrome lamps, window frames, and especially the staircase… We would almost expect to see Louise Brooks in a hallway or bump into Josephine Baker in the sitting room.

The hotel environment is something truly special and moves in sync with Paris' eternal heart and soul. Step outside and you'll be face to face with the Madeleine Church, built as an Antique temple and where the people of Paris have bid final farewell to Chopin, Fauré, Trenet and Sartre, along with many other renowned artists.

A bit further along, you'll happen upon the Olympia, a proving ground for all of France's top singers, where Piaf and Brel gave their last and most memorable performances and where Beatlemania first struck France. You're at the epicenter here, just look at the street names: Saint Honoré, Royale, Boissy d'Anglas, Tronchet, and then there's boulevard Haussmann, which shape the tantalizing layout of one of the world's most exceptional shopping districts. Be sure not to miss the Hermès boutique window displays, so magnificent to have inspired entire books.

Take the time to savor a macaroon from Ladurée and when crossing the rue Royale upon leaving the shop enjoy the outstanding perspective leading you straight to the place de la Concorde and its renowned Obelisk all the way to the triangular facade of the National Assembly building.

The Alexandre III Bridge is right around the corner with its stately and timeless streetlamps, strong symbols of the romanticism still very much a part of this City of Lights, and perhaps Paris' most beautiful bridge… as well as one of the most spectacular settings in the world to appreciate a sunrise in spring.

Best Western Premier Opera Richepanse

14, rue du Chevalier de Saint-George, Paris, France - 75001

Phone: +33 (0) 1 42 60 36 00 Fax: +33 (0) 1 42 60 13 03

Best Western Premier L'Horset Opéra

Special privileges offered by a noble and stately home...

The street running along the back of the Best Western Premier L'Horset Opéra leads to the small square place Gaillon in between two of Paris' most typical and authentic restaurants: Chez Drouant and La Fontaine Gaillon. The latter establishment was opened by the famous actor Gérard Depardieu with his friend and renowned chef Laurent Audiot.

Drouant is where on the first Tuesday of every month, the 10 members of the country's most prestigious literary society, Goncourt, have eaten lunch ever since 1914 and where the jury's annual award, worth a symbolic 10 euros, is announced at the beginning of November to throngs of journalists.

Word has it that both of these restaurants serve fine food, but what patrons savor most is the unique atmosphere at each that goes with the city's history, or legend, through its most noteworthy personalities.

The Best Western Premier L'Horset Opéra emanates the same historical charm, the same sensitivity to deep-seated roots. This should come as no surprise considering that the hotel was built in the 17th century as the manor house for the Duke of Antin, son of Marquise de Montespan, one of Louis XIV's mistresses.

Besides the foundations and stonework, little still stands of the Duke's home. Yet, its noble past remains ever so present, today maintained to perfection by the quality of decoration and materials as well as by the exquisite taste shown by its current owners.

The balconies in particular, typical of 19th century bourgeois architecture, showcase finely-crafted wrought-iron balustrades ornamented by boxwood and geraniums. Don't miss the frieze on the facade and woodwork on the ground floor windows, obviously inspired by the Art Nouveau movement towards the end of the 19th century.

The light streaming through is attractively filtered by Venetian blinds. The bar and sitting room in back of these blinds make for a cozy ambiance, with a master's touch to every minute detail, where luxury abounds yet without a hint of ostentation. The bar's well-aged selection of whiskeys and ports exemplifies this pursuit of the most discreet and refined quality.

The rooms, spacious by Paris standards, effuse the same sense of well-being. The gorgeous fabrics on the walls are captivatingly original and classical at the same time.

The uppermost floors offer magnificent views of the Paris skyline, a favorite scene of local poets. Just around the corner is the Place Vendôme, whose square, sharp-angled layout would have inspired the most Parisian of perfume bottle designs: Chanel No. 5. This location also lies smack in the heart of Paris' fashion district - just cross the avenue de l'Opéra (the city's only treeless boulevard, so as to preserve the wonderful perspective on the Opera building facade) in the direction of the rue Saint Honoré or the Madeleine Church to admire the irresistible window displays.

The Best Western Premier L'Horset Opéra might not encapsulate everything Paris, but it definitely offers the guest the best of what Parisian life is all about.

Best Western Premier L'Horset Opera

18 Rue D'Antin, Paris, France - FR-75002

Phone: +33 (0) 1 44 71 87 00 Fax: +33 (0) 1 42 66 55 54

Best Western Premier La Promenade Noumea

Where the fish can aspire to be angels, clowns or butterflies...

In New Caledonia, the most widespread and certainly the most typical form of public transit would have to be the water taxi. The setting here happens to be an archipelago, with some islands being considered among the most splendid of the entire Pacific, including: the Isle of Pines, so beautiful that the Japanese have described it as "the closest place to heaven" and where recently international windsurfing champions halted their frenetic race for a few minutes to contemplate the marvel; the lush Duck Island just across from the Best Western Premier (BWP) La Promenade; and a bit further the Maître Island that lends the startling impression of floating on the lagoon's turquoise waters.

The archipelago was named by Captain James Cook, who likened the coastline here to that of his native Scotland, formerly called Caledonia. In resemblance to Scotland, New Caledonia is also a mountain, whose 1,600-meter peaks add to the exceptional contrasts offered by local landscapes.

Yet one major difference between Mr. Cook's Caledonia of his youth and this "New" Caledonia is obviously the water temperature, which never drops below 22°C and regularly reaches near 30°C. A combination of shallow waters and one of the world's largest lagoons makes for the most amazing natural aquarium anywhere on the planet, as evoked by the special names given to the myriad of fish species on display, like butterfly fish, angelfish, clownfish, damselfish, firefish, golden-spot hogfish and porcupine fish.

A patch of land amidst the wide open sea, man in symbiosis with fish and plant life, that's what New Caledonia is all about, and this is precisely the style of luxury that the BWP La Promenade is able to provide guests.

The design firm Arte Charpentier has actually shaped this project in adhering to a philosophy that has a strong following the world over (as showcased in both the Shanghai and Taiyuan opera houses), summarized as the deepest of respect for a place's identity, culture, ecology and resources.

Admire how the whole edifice drawn as a circular arc seems to be beckoning you with open arms while resembling these islands' most traditional structures, how light enters each room, how the various wood species chosen for furnishings and flooring bring you closer to the subdued and proud elegance of this "Grande Terre", at the heart of New Caledonia. You'll appreciate the refined harmony of fabrics, floors and furniture, between earthy browns and marine blues, found throughout the hotel and framed by handsome bay windows.

With such extraordinary outdoor attractions, the temptation might have been to skimp on interior comfort and quality of space. The BWP La Promenade avoided going that route and instead is pleased to offer an opulent space everywhere, and isn't that the greatest luxury of them all… You're bound to agree when strolling on the grounds, in the hanging gardens or in the gallery, making your way to the Le Café Terrace restaurant, now one of Noumea's finest dining spots.

Life in a hotel can sometimes feel a bit artificial, and even more so when the resort experience incorporates more of the superficial side of travel. In this respect, the BWP La Promenade is exceptional, through creating the conditions to enjoy a truly authentic and enriched access to the special way of life found in New Caledonia.

Best Western Premier La Promenade

109 Promenade Laroque - BP 8142, Noumea, NC, Noumea, France - 98807

Phone: +687 244600 Fax: +687 244700

Best Western Premier Bradford

Striking a magical balance between Paris up close and Paris at a distance...

History points out that the breakfast room atrium at the Best Western Premier Bradford Elysées was drawn by Gustave Eiffel, of Eiffel Tower fame. One thing's for sure: this hotel landmark lies squarely within the same architectural school that discovered the extraordinary potential offered by the incredible material called steel at the end of the 19th century. This atrium channels a sparkling quality of light into the room, highlighting the stylish parquet flooring and intricate wainscoting.

The Best Western Premier Bradford Elysées boasts its originality through the large number of well-preserved "Belle Epoque" style architectural features and furniture.

For example, the elevator dates back to the time when electric-powered elevator cars were first being squeezed into the staircases of fashionable Paris buildings whose most prestigious apartments were located on the first floor above ground level. This one is so charmingly narrow and built entirely of the lightest and most noble woods, the preferred material at the turn of the century and appreciated by the world's first airplane manufacturers (naturally, this elevator is fully compliant with the City of Paris' latest and most stringent safety codes).

Some rooms contain real marble fireplaces or elegant balconies awash in sunlight, adding to the appeal and aesthetic of this classical upscale Parisian building. Every single room has been furnished with authentic, family pieces that tell a story… which goes to show that no two rooms are alike.

The district surrounding the Bradford offers an extremely rare and special combination of the type of serenity found in a small provincial town and the dazzling luxury only the Faubourg Saint Honoré and Champs Elysées can offer.

The avenue adjacent to the hotel, pleasantly reached by passing through the Claridge gallery, is known for its majesty, glamour and irresistible selection of restaurants and shows… but above all what an incredible perspective, in the heart of France's capital, that draws the eye over several kilometers from the Louvre Palace all the way to the La Défense Grande Arche.

The Parc Monceau is also right nearby, with its hundred-year-old trees that have witnessed so many events in Paris' history like the first parachute jump by André Jacques Garnerin in 1797 (from a hot air balloon) or the pistol duel between Paris' two most beautiful ladies of the time, Liane de Pougy and Isabelle Otero ("A man with an account at Cartier can never be considered unattractive", they were known to say).

The bawdry rivalry between these two women was often stirred by gossip columnists who, for example, reported how the beauty Otero made an appearance at the theater dressed in a diamond-studded bolero… to which Liane de Pougy, once alerted, responded by showing up with her arms, neck, hands and shoulders all fully and extraordinarily uncovered!

Such were the times, the elegance, extravagance, excess and style all told at the Best Western Premier Bradford Elysees, with its crystal chandeliers, velvet couches and marble decorations…

Best Western Premier Bradford Elysees

10 rue Philippe Du Roule, Paris, France - FR-75008

Phone: +33 (0) 1 45 63 20 20 Fax: +33 (0) 1 45 63 20 07

Best Western Premier Le Mans Country Cub

A lifestyle in homage to mankind's noblest conquest: the horse

Despite untold historic upheavals, most old European countries have retained countless architectural reminders of a former aristocracy. Dukes, earls and counts owned properties one of whose purposes was to demonstrate to their neighbours the extent of the wealth of their respective dukedoms, earldoms and fiefs. While undeniably to the detriment of the rest of the population, as history has shown, this established order did at least have the merit of harnessing and awakening the talents of the best architects, decorators, landscape gardeners, artists and craftsmen of the era in a creative momentum such has never been seen since. Each architectural element was representative of some political or social statement or other: the number of towers, windows, fireplaces, the fountains, the tree-lined perspective from the entrance of the property to the facade, the design of the staircase, the size of the stables, etc., all asserted the owner's social standing in a far more visible manner than any troop of soldiers or tax could do!

The Best Western Premier Le Mans Country Club is a little gem from this bygone era. Built in 1745, it was long known as the Château de la Ragoterie. The name comes from the local dialect and means "boar", in tribute to the hunting parties so favoured by its rich owners. The hotel is set in 22 hectares of parkland, home to hundred-year-old oaks and bordered by a peaceful stream, the Parence. The property's noble and aristocratic lineage is clearly visible and the time when Comte de la Borde, its rich master in the 1920's, attended mass at Yvré l'Evèque in a four-horse drawn carriage is not so long past. Founded by ardent horse lovers, the property has never ceased to uphold its close links with the equine world and the neighbouring stud farms, among which the top-class Haras des Bouleries. However the horse-powered engines that regularly roar round the nearby 24 Hours of Le Mans racetrack should not be forgotten, all the more so as the establishment regularly welcomes the Audi team. Guests may even like to test their driving talents on the nearby Alain Prost go-kart track.

The Best Western Premier Le Mans Country Club is extraordinary and not just because it has lost nothing of its noble 18^th century elegance. The quality and distinction of the resolutely modern interior design are perfectly in keeping with the building's original stately architecture. The colour scheme employed throughout the establishment and the particularly lavishly appointed bathrooms reveal a most attractive reinterpretation of classicism. Countless details nonetheless subsist to take guests back a few centuries in time, such as the stonework, rafters and the view of the park from the guestrooms. The pleasure of entering the property along the tree-lined drive with the vision of the chateau rising in the distance is always a joy.

The hotel's restaurant, whose reputation is justly earned, is understandably popular with discerning palates who appreciate that unique Art de Vivre combining good food with fine surroundings. The atmosphere on the terrace, facing the lovely old facade of the chateau and its carvings and towers, is quite unforgettable. Extremely delicate carved bas-reliefs, including an adorable woman's face with flowing hair, adorn the first floor of the facade. Nothing ever troubles the immaculate silence that reigns throughout the establishment, as if out of respect for its privileged lifestyle. The authentic and sophisticated manner in which the Best Western Premier Le Mans Country Club is still run and maintained is a luxury in the noblest sense of the word, and one that is moreover, truly accessible.

Best Western Premier Le Mans Country Club

Yvré-l'Evêque - Chateau De La Ragotterie, Le Mans, France - 72530

Phone: +33 (0) 2 43 82 11 00 Fax: +33 (0) 2 43 82 11 22

Best Western Premier Le Morgane

An ecological, timeless approach to the Alps

Chamonix is a real capital, not of a country, of course, but of an extraordinary adventure: alpinism. It was from this village of fearless and intrepid mountain-dwellers that Jacques Balmat and Michel-Gabriel Paccard set out in August 1786 to make the first ascent of Mont Blanc. Since that time, it was in this same village that the Compagnie des Guides de Haute Montagne was created, and where so many outstanding alpine firsts, amazing feats and incredible exploits have taken place, and also, alas, the scene of the most terrible dramas, it was also here that the first Winter Olympics were held in January 1924. It was here that the world discovered a young 11-year-old ice-skater who was taking part in her first Olympics, coming a resounding last. Her name was Sonja Henje and she went on to become one of history's greatest skaters, winning a number of competitions whose record seems unbeatable today.

Chamonix also invented today's modern mountain, both from a sporting and from an ecological or scientific point of view, raising the mountain to an Art de Vivre. The statue of Doctor Paccard in the heart of the town gazes eternally on Mont Blanc and is a snapshot favourite with alpinists and tourists from all over the world come to explore this legendary mountain range (the third most visited natural site in the world!). The town, like the Best Western Premier Morgane, is entirely turned towards this gigantic mountain, as if it was a stage. Equipped with a good pair of binoculars, it is possible to observe expeditions making their way up and down the mountain from the town's terraces.

The hotel was designed to combine four-star comfort with a genuine sporting dimension. It is emblematic of a rare blend of ecological awareness and modern design that explains the use of authentic mountain materials such as untreated stone and wood, all of which faultlessly comfortable. The swimming pool, for example, is reminiscent of a natural basin in a mountain stream. The spa offers treatments based on local plants that are greatly appreciated after a hard day's skiing or hiking. The guestrooms and bathrooms feature an attractive mixture of wholesome warmth and uncluttered space. This invigorating equilibrium is enhanced by a particularly minimalist design, that is anything if rustic, but whose choice of noble materials both reassures and inspires. This demonstration of ecological sensibility makes the Best Western Premier Hotel Morgane a perfect marriage of modernity and timelessness.

The view from all the guestroom balconies and terraces is equally timeless, and one mountain lovers the world over would kill for, taking in the Mont Blanc, Aiguille du Midi, Aiguilles Rouges, etc. The hotel stands in the heart of the town, on the banks of the Arve, a few metres from the cable-car station that climbs up the Aiguille du Midi to a height of 3800 meters.

The Best Western Premier Hotel Morgane is equally renowned for its restaurant that is a destination in its own right. The Bistrot is the proud recipient of a Michelin star and boasts a sumptuous menu and a unique setting. Two of its most emblematic products are culatello (quite possibly the best Parma ham, made from a race of black-haired pigs and only from the heart of the thigh) and chocolate pizza - both as delicious as they are unforgettable.

Best Western Premier Le Morgane

145 avenue Aiguille du Midi, Chamonix Mont-Blanc, France - FR-74400

Phone: +33 (0) 4 50 53 57 15 Fax: +33 (0) 4 50 53 28 07

Best Western Premier Hotel du Vieux Port

A place to which the modern world and southern France owe so much…

The 20^th century world would have been radically different without film, in the same way as southern France's way of life would never have acquired the same flavour if it hadn't been for the game of pétanque. A perhaps unexpected preamble but one which is justified by the fact that film and pétanque were both invented at the same time and in the same little Mediterranean seaside town of La Ciotat.

It was here that the Lumière Brothers, whose name was so appropriately suited to the inventions they were to bring to the modern world (colour and 3D cinema and photography and a cinematographic production system still in use today), made the world's first film (of the arrival of a train at La Ciotat railway station) and where they organised the first private film showing. It was also at La Ciotat that a paying cinema theatre was opened in 1899, another first in the world. Called the Eden (also equally symbolic in name), it is today the world's oldest cinema theatre still in business.

La Ciotat was also where a game of boules was played that required a short three-step run. However in 1907, the champion Jules Hugues, known as "Le Noir", unable to play his sport due to severe rheumatism, drew a circle on the ground inside of which he stood feet together and still ("pieds tanqués" - feet tied together - in the local Provençal dialect, hence the current "pétanque" contraction), from where he threw the boules as close as possible to the target. This event took place on the ground of a café whose owners Ernest and Joseph Pitiot (two brothers again) formalised the rules and whose heirs carry on the tradition in the same establishment, also still in business.

This site is thus naturally endowed with a special quality that the Best Western Premier Hotel du Vieux Port, located right in the heart of the town, shares with each of its guests. La Ciotat is above all an extraordinarily sheltered and spectacular bay, le golfe d'Amour, in the Mediterranean. The cliffs of Cap Canaille are the highest in Europe and the route des Crêtes that leads to the delightful neighbouring town of Cassis commands stunning views 400 metres above this uniquely coloured sea.

The town was for many years home to prosperous ship building sites. Several cranes of great, monumental beauty continue to bear witness in the old port to this past era and one of these extraordinary industrial constructions still stands opposite the hotel.

The Best Western Premier Hotel du Vieux Port endeavours to enhance the breathtaking views of the Mediterranean, the tiny harbour and its surroundings. Each guestroom boasts immense bay windows, many of which lead onto a loggia balcony, the cool shade of which is most welcoming in summer. The view of the harbour overlooking the bay, the "pointus" (characteristic Marseilles fishing boats), the church's bell towers and small museum is quite matchless, particularly in the soft morning light. The stunning rooftop infinity pool, that seems a natural extension of the shimmering Mediterranean, commands a matchless view, in addition to the enticing appeal of refreshing water and the warmth of the sunshine. It is extended by a vast terrace on which a pre-dinner drink takes on an unforgettable quality as the sun slips below the horizon beneath the vertiginous peak of the bec d'aigle.

The hotel's interior has achieved a happy mixture that is both luxuriously pleasing to the eye and refreshingly cool, blending modernity with history. An exemplary choice of Mediterranean colours lends a unique quality to this establishment that nonetheless rises to the challenge of the international standards of its rank and whose generously proportioned guestrooms are truly worthy of note.

The hotel's restaurant, whose young chef earned a handsome reputation at Cassis, enables guests to discover the sophisticated local gastronomy in which fish and fruit take pride of place. Anchored in this characteristically Mediterranean seaside resort enhanced by light at all hours of the day, the Best Western Premier Hotel du Vieux Port is an unforgettable establishment because it enables each of its guests to make the most of this sophisticated and beautiful destination.

Best Western Premier Hôtel du Vieux Port

Vieux Port, La Ciotat, France - 13600

Phone: +33(0)4 42 04 00 02 Fax: +33(0)4 42 04 00 02

Best Western Premier Hotel Corsica

A key to the harsh yet delicate Corsican soul

Its intoxicating fragrances are without doubt one of the most authentic appeals of Corsica, known as the "island of beauty". If you arrive by boat, the heady scent of the island's flora often reaches you before you even catch sight of the island itself, carried on the breeze blowing off the land. The same scents immediately greet you as you step out of the plane and make your way across the tarmac. This sun-drenched rich and delicate perfume is quite unforgettable.

It may at first seem paradoxical that these delicate, delightful fragrances are the fruit of one of nature's most arid creations, the maquis, whose dense, impenetrable slopes are a mystery to any who were not born within its boundaries to such an extent that it has ever provided safe refuge to the island's population fleeing their enemies. Some of the bushes grow so tightly together that you can walk on them without falling in!

Such is Corsica - harsh and delicate at the same time. This apparently contradictory character is also embodied by the landscapes whose beauty and violence take one's breath away and in the whiffs of subtle scents rising up from a landscape, sadly often devastated by fire. This unique character is equally present in its charcuterie which owes its legendary savour to the fruit and plants growing in the maquis that the semi wild boar regularly feast on.

The Best Western Premier Hotel Corsica can provide you with a few keys to the island's soul. Built a few kilometres inland, it commands a priceless view of the citadel of Calvi and the Mediterranean. This inland location is emblematic of that of many Corsican strongholds and villages, for whom the seashore primarily brought invaders, hence their lofty position keeping watch on the horizon. Corsica is a mountain in the middle of the Mediterranean and as well as being islanders, its inhabitants are also mountain dwellers. The hotel, surrounded for its part by a relatively accessible maquis, commands striking views of the jagged mountain range of the island's centre. A short drive from the island's winter ski resorts, the hotel is also very close to a host of irresistible beaches. The incomparably clear water is warm enough to suit even the most sensitive "souls", all of which bathed in the delicious scent of the pine grove that lines the shoreline.

The hotel's restaurant is a treasure trove of Mediterranean fare and dining on the terrace in the evenings is sheer bliss. Regional charcuterie and cheese feature prominently on the menu, as do locally grown fruit and vegetables, all of which full of an authentic flavour quite unlike any other. The talented Egyptian chef also enjoys inviting guests to sample tasty dishes from his native country.

The Best Western Premier Hotel Corsica is voluntarily open to the surrounding countryside and its charms. The generously proportioned swimming pool is designed like a balcony overlooking the sea below and all the guestrooms enjoy extensive views of the island's beautiful landscapes. Unusually furnished in an exuberant baroque style that is reminiscent of one Gianni Versace, even down to pink marble bathrooms, the decor in fact particularly suits the hotel's exceptional location. The overall impression is one of cosy comfort and well-being, all the better to appreciate the island's phenomenal beauty and unforgettable sensations. It is surely not a coincidence that the hotel's owner called upon Genoese craftsmen to decorate her hotel when one knows that according to popular local legend, Christopher Columbus was born within the walls of Calvi. However those that know better claim this cannot be true, because a man as wise as Christopher Columbus would never have left such a beautiful place to search for unlikely treasure so far from home! experience.

Best Western Premier Hotel Corsica

Route de Pietra-Maggiore, Calvi, France - FR-20260

Phone: +33 (0) 4 95 65 03 64 Fax: +33 (0) 4 95 65 00 54

France Luxury Vacations

Experience France
France embodies the romantic notions of fine dining, exquisite wines, Parisian rendezvous, and country chateaus. France has much to offer vacation planners, no matter what time of year. Winter offers skiers exciting challenges in the Alps, while the South of France reigns as a chic summer playground. Paris is at its best during the spring, and the wine regions of France are unforgettable during fall harvest.

France Attractions
From historic sites such as Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower in Paris, to famous works of art on display at the Musee du Louvre in Paris or Museum of Modern Art in Nice, there is much to see and do when you vacation in France.

Premier France Hotels
Best Western Premier hotels in France offer guests authentic French vacation experiences. Our beautiful hotels are marked by ornate architecture, elegant furnishings, modern amenities, and services to accommodate family members of all ages. Best Western Premier hotels in France offer luxury hotel rooms and vacation packages in Paris, the South of France, and other popular vacation destinations. Our distinguished hotels are also located near famous attractions including Chapelle de Notre Dame de la Serra in Calvi; Paris favorites such as the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffle Tower and the Seine; and the Promenade des Anglais, designer boutiques, and scenic beaches of Nice.

Best Western Premier Hotel Dolce Vita

In a natural setting whose beauty inspired the birth of Matisse as a painter

"Ce sont des fauves!" (They are wild beasts!), was how, in 1905, a journalist, struck by the canvases shown in room VII at the Salon d'Automne in Paris, described the artists who created them: Vlaminck, Derain, and above all Matisse with his "Woman with a Hat". He had just coined the name "Fauvism" of which Henri Matisse would become the leader and which would profoundly influence art in the 20^th century. Suddenly painters started to use blocks of colour, hardly blended at all on the palette or the canvas, so pure and bright that the subjects and dimensions took second place. Shortly before the Salon in 1905, Matisse went to Ajaccio on honeymoon. The artist confided in the collector Pierre Lévy that the first fires of Fauvism were started during that initial stay in Corsica: "I was blown away, over there everything is so bright: everything is colour, everything is light". The Iles Sanguinaires reflected in the water left a deep impression on the young painter, as did the green of the olive trees, the unmatched blue of the Mediterranean, and the pink of its porphyry rocks.

Art historians believe that Matisse the painter was born in Ajaccio. The bay, whose crystal waters bathe the cove in which the Best Western Premier Dolce Vita sits, is a true wonder of nature which offers unforgettable sensations: the purity of the light, the power of the scents, the vividness of the colours, and the beauty of the Mediterranean. The Ajaccians never grow weary of the walk along the path that leads to the Pointe de la Parata leading out to the archipelago of the Sanguinaires. No one knows if the name of this captivating site comes from the sombre red porphyry of which its 4 islets are made, from the fiery vegetation that covers them in autumn, from the burning sunsets over their craggy coasts, or from the "sanguinari" (which literally means "black-blooded men"), the coral fishermen returning from Africa who were kept in quarantine on the islands long enough to rid their blood of any possible infectious illnesses. The Best Western Premier Dolce Vita is just a few steps from the archipelago.

Its swimming pool, its small beach, and the majority of its rooms encompass this unrivalled sight which so resembles a fauvist painting. The restaurant opens out onto a terrace designed around the deck of a boat. The wild image of the Sanguinaires from this privileged viewpoint is truly captivating. As in a work by Matisse, whose clarity of subject, without areas of shade, and with no ulterior motive, creates an extremely relaxing vision of freshness and innocence, the Best Western Premier Dolce Vita is the type of place where one feels reborn. "One should look at everything in life through the eyes of a child" said Matisse. The life offered by this elegant and aptly named hotel in this unique setting is an extremely gentle one. There is no need for pretentiousness or false sophistication when nature is so evidently beautiful and harmonious. There is nothing to add to the views from the balconies looking over the bay, or the garden full of palm, bay and olive trees; nor to the flavours of the seafood cuisine, in which the fish was caught the very same day and the fruit picked the very same morning. Make no mistake about it: the Best Western Premier Dolce Vita doesn't use the exceptional quality of its location as an excuse for even the slightest lapse in the standards of comfort of a 4 star hotel, expected by the international clientele, and on which its reputation on the island is built. The well-being of each guest is of the utmost priority, beginning with the discreet attentiveness of the staff, which has struck a rare balance between "class" and "relaxation".

Far from being the ferocious rebel implied by the expression "fauve" (‘wild beast'), Matisse was searching all his life for a sort of paradise, "an art of balance, purity, tranquillity, free from troubling subject matter", he added. This quest guided him until his final days, spent painting with collage and exploring the Mediterranean on stationary travels in his workshop where, restricted by immobility, he worked his brushes fixed to the end of canes. It also took him along the Route des Sanguinaires to Ajaccio, which the Best Western Premier Dolce Vita magnificently depicts today.

Best Western Premier Hotel Dolce Vita

Route des Sanguinaires, Ajaccio, France - 20000

Phone: 33 49 55 24 242 Fax: 33 49 55 20 715

Finland Luxury Vacations

Experience Finland
Finland is a vacation paradise for nature lovers. With 180,000 islands, 35 national parks, and 188,000 lakes, Finland offers myriad things to do outdoors no matter what the season. And best of all, a Finland vacation can be easy on the budget. Many of Finland's top attractions, including spectacular Northern Lights shows, are free! Finland is also a nation of wonderful cultural attractions and historic landmarks that celebrate the Finns' Nordic heritage.

Finland Attractions
From outdoor recreation to museums and monuments, to family festivals and Santa Claus sightings (the real Santa claims Finland as his home), Finland offers exciting things to do and see. Helsinki, the capital of Finland and the country's busiest port, is a progressive city that offers many attractions worth incorporating into your vacation. Museums such as the Museum of Contemporary Art, National Museum of Finland, and the Ateneum Art Museum feature thought provoking exhibits. The Cathedral of Helsinki is one of the most recognized and photographed buildings in Finland. The Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress off the coast of Helsinki comprises six islands and is open year-round to visitors. Helsinki also offers delicious restaurants, vibrant cafes, shopping, and live entertainment.

Premier Finland Hotels
Best Western Premier Hotel Katajanokka in Helsinki offers a truly unique twist to your Finland vacation. Housed in a 170-year-old former prison, our premium hotel features deluxe accommodations, exquisite dining in a prison-themed restaurant, and top-rated amenities such as Internet access and flat screen televisions. Best Western Premier Hotel Katajanokka is located minutes from famous Finland attractions including Sibelius Park and Monument, Temple Square Church, Linnanmaki Amusement Park and the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum.

Best Western Premier Hotel Katajanokka

Incarcerate yourself in luxury...

It may be hard to believe, but the Best Western Premier Hotel Katajanokka used to welcome a very different kind of guest. From 1837 to 2002, the property was the main prison of the "big village," as the locals like to call Helsinki. Then in the space of just 12 months in 2005, the penitentiary underwent a fabulous metamorphosis into a super-stylish hotel.

There is no mistaking the hotel's past life. The imposing entrance is set in high red brick walls. What is today a beautifully landscaped garden with a terrace bar was once the prison yard. The leafy garden wraps around the cross-shaped main building, its high walls dotted with strangely small windows. In the shade of one of the prison's wings sits the prison chapel, the second oldest in Helsinki, which has been preserved in its original state (and is available for weddings and other gatherings).The prison buildings, including the chapel, are protected by the National Board of Antiquities.

Inside, elements of the hotel's historical identity have been preserved and the architects have turned the prison's American penitentiary-style layout to the hotel's advantage. The spacious landings are bathed in warm daylight that pours in through the high windows at the end of each block. Rough concrete stairs and iron walkways make it easy to access the different levels, from the top floor to the basement.

The softly lit Jailbird restaurant is situated in the central corridor of the basement. The wooden tables bear scratches that evoke the coarseness of prison life. Meals and beverages are served in tin plates and cups. The function rooms, which are also located in the basement, have been fashioned from interrogation and interview rooms. They have kept their prison-era names, and one of the cells has been preserved in its original condition.

There's nothing coarse or frugal about the guest rooms, however. Each of the 106 spacious, luxury rooms has been created from two or three cells. Upon entering through the original cell door opening you are treated to thoroughly Finnish interior design complete with orange, cream and black furnishings, clean lines and stylish functionality. The beds are incredibly comfortable, and in keeping with Finland's high tech image, the rooms are equipped with flat screen televisions.

If you dare "escape" from the hotel, you will find yourself on the lamb in the art nouveau splendour of the surrounding neighbourhood. The hotel takes its name from the island on which it is located. Katajanokka is just one in a string of small isles draped around the city of Helsinki like a necklace.

A short walk or tram ride from the heart of capital, the Best Western Premier Hotel Katajanokka is an oasis of calm. It sits near some of the city's main sights, including the Russian Byzantine-style Uspenski Cathedral and the colourful Kauppatori open-air harbour market. The city's multi-cultural past and modern history have made fascinating architecture the hallmark of Helsinki. And the Hotel Katajanokka is no exception, thanks to its rich past and eye-catching design. So what better place to "do your time," no matter how long your sentence?

Best Western Premier Hotel Katajanokka

Vyokatu 1, Helsinki, FI, Helsinki, Finland - 00160

Phone: +358 (0) 9 686 450 Fax: +358 (0) 9 670 290

Best Western Premier Blunsdon House Hotel

A four-star hotel with singularly unpretentious style...

A sense of authentic friendliness permeates the Best Western Premier Blunsdon House Hotel, located near Swindon, deep in the Cotswolds region of England. Its roots can be traced back to the hotel's singular origins.

Before being a hotel, Blunsdon House was a hunting lodge and then a farm, which was bought by the Clifford family in the 1940s. In 1957, a major regional agricultural show was held in nearby Swindon. The show brought many people to the town, and a local hotelier asked the Cliffords if they could provide bed and breakfast accommodation in their 10-bedroom house. One thing led to another, and lodging eventually took over from farming at Blunsdon house. In the 1980s it became the first four-star hotel in the county.

The unpretentious, family-friendly charm that characterised the early years of Blunsdon House is still present to this day. This has to do with the fact that the Clifford family still owns and runs the hotel, and that the staff are locals. They are house-proud and know the region like the back of their hand. Many of them have been with the hotel since it first opened. They treat everyone that comes through the doors as part of their extended family.

The hotel's facilities, however, have come a long way since the early bed-and-breakfast days, where rooms only had washbasins and there was only one channel on the TV. Today it boasts over one hundred rooms discreetly housed in two buildings on the grounds. As a family friendly hotel, Blunsdon House caters for large and small families with a mix of family rooms and inter-connected rooms. Individually decorated and tastefully furnished, the rooms are spacious and comfortable. But they are never run of the mill; each room features a different dog puppet, a reminder of the hotel's bed-and-breakfast era, when guestrooms were decorated with family heirlooms and other memorabilia.

The grounds are a self-contained oasis, with two restaurants which attract many, connoisseurs of the county, two warm comfortable bars, a magnificent swimming pool with huge window cases on the countryside scenery, fitness centre, golf course and tennis and squash courts. The Georgian façade of the mansion is still visible, and the grounds are dotted with fine old trees that date from the Victoria era. Mulberry, Sequoia and Weeping ash trees all flourish. Keep an eye out for some California Redwoods, which were planted by Peter Clifford as a reminder of the birth of his first grandchild, after a trip to Yosemite National Park in the 1970s.

As if the hotel and grounds were not beautiful enough, Blunsdon house sits at the footsteps of the bucolic Cotswolds, a pastoral region made up of deep ravines (Cots), rolling high ground (wolds) and grassy limestone hills. Explore the steep-sided Malvern Hills with their wineries and cideries and the hilly North Cotswolds with their enchanting honey-hued villages with improbable names like Broadway and Chipping Campden.

No matter where the narrow lanes lined with drystone walls and thick daffodil verges lead you, a warm welcome awaits you at the Best Western Premier Blunsdon House Hotel.

Best Western Premier Blunsdon House Hotel

Blunsdon, Swindon, England, GB, Swindon, England - SN26 7AS

Phone: +44 (0) 1793 721701 Fax: +44 (0) 1793 721056

Best Western Premier Shaftesbury Kensington Hotel

In the heart of Princess Diana's neighbourhood...

London is one of the world's cities where there are the most hotels. Here, more than elsewhere perhaps, the differences between establishments are comprised of those infinitesimal details to which discerning travellers are sensitive: the day-fresh fruit and flowers provided in your room, the maitre d'hôtel who greets you in the breakfast room extends a true welcome in the noblest sense of the term, leading you graciously to your table before showing you the buffet of which he is justly proud, or the high-quality newspaper delivered to your door at dawn. The management and staff of the Best Western Premier Shaftesbury Kensington Hotel are all fervently committed to upholding this attention to detail, convinced that it is essential to truly top quality hospitality.

The hotel is moreover exceptionally well located on Hogarth Road, a few minutes' walk from Hyde Park. Hogarth Road is one of those distinctive curved streets that form a crescent shape and which are characteristic of many English towns, adding a unique touch to the urban landscape in the same way the grand old Victorian houses, trees and varying expanses of manicured lawns also do. On the subject of grass and gardens, one of London's authentic hidden treasures, the Roof Gardens, lies just a stone's throw from the Best Western Premier Shaftesbury Kensington Hotel, behind the very ordinary-looking front door of 99 Kensington High Street. The rooftop gardens cover some 2000m² and were originally located on the roof of a famous London store, since disappeared, Derry and Toms. Once over the threshold, you will be confronted with the amazing sight of gardens laid out on different themes: Spanish, Tudor, English, suspended some 30 metres above street level and made up of a hundred or so trees, fountains and pink flamingos who even have their very own river and pond.

The hotel is very near another of London's emblematic symbols, Earls Court Arena. The venue of the largest exhibitions and concerts held in the capital for the last 70 years, it was also the scene of the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show in the 19th century and will host the volleyball competition during the 2012 Games.

The hotel's guestrooms, equipped with characteristic sash windows, make it eminently clear to guests that they are in the land that coined the expression "Home Sweet Home". Cosy, welcoming, thoughtfully laid out and, of course, well stocked in all those little comforts that make daily life more pleasant and that will ensure that you make the most of your stay, whatever the purpose.

Before her wedding to Prince Charles, Diana lived not far from the Best Western Premier Shaftesbury Kensington Hotel in a modest flat, moving afterwards to nearby Kensington Palace when she became Princess. The name Kensington comes from the old Saxon word "Censiginga tun" which literally means "village or enclosure of Keen-Victory's people". The district is dotted with places that the Princess was particularly fond of and which Londoners have not forgotten: the gym on Earls Court Road, the Sticky Fingers restaurant that belongs to former Rolling Stone, Bill Wyman, and just opposite, the Patisserie Parisienne and, of course, her former flat on the corner of Old Brompton Road and Redcliffe Gardens. For many locals, this memorable past is now part and parcel of the neighbourhood's soul.

Best Western Premier Shaftesbury Kensington Hotel

33/37 Hogarth Road, Kensington, England, GB, London, England - SW5 0QQ

Phone: +44 (0) 207 370 6831 Fax: +44 (0) 207 745 1242

Best Western Premier Leyland Hotel

At the heart of the most popular holiday destinations for the English in their own country.

Lancashire hotpot is one of the most emblematic dishes of Great Britain. It takes from its place of origin a simplicity and subtlety, which is what makes it the favourite destination for English holidaymakers in their own country. The dish is so popular that it was apparently enjoyed as much by miners, who took it deep under the ground with them, as it was by the mill workers, farming families, and even the aristocrats who took it to the races as sustenance. Its simple preparation requires mutton, as would come from the sheep on Preston's coat of arms, the freshest ingredients, patience, since oven cooking could take up to a full day over a low heat, and a healthy appetite to savour this recipe, whose origin has been lost but goes at least as far back as the 18^th century.

The prestigious restaurant at the Best Western Premier Leyland Hotel offers a menu that pays homage to Lancashire cuisine and particularly to its hotpot, making a point of selecting ingredients from no further than 50 kilometres from the hotel. The hotel is very keen to promote the wonderful authenticity of Lancashire, in which it lies.

The building, which has a discreet elegance, delights its guests with an excellent setting and luxurious facilities. The classic furnishing and decor also gives way to some more quirky elements, which suit this distinctive hotel, such as the extravagant armchairs whose backs reach up to 3 metres high, the exposed beams of the luxurious restaurant, and the sumptuous four poster beds in the rooms, which one literally has to climb into to enjoy an unforgettable night's sleep. The aim of the Best Western Premier Leyland Hotel is to offer each of its guests a sophisticated and comfortable experience thus creating an unforgettable stay in Lancashire. The quality of the facilities in each room exceeds the usual standards expected, equally so in its bar, the J28 (named after Junction 28 of the M62 near to where the hotel is pleasantly located), and in the indoor swimming pool complete with sumptuous health club, where everything has been carefully thought out. The interior design of the hotel includes some beautiful photographs, which highlight the numerous attractions in the area, and a number of statues, rarely seen in a hotel but which add to its classic style.

All these details contribute to the privileged position of being able to enjoy all the charms the region has to offer as well as the sensation of being nestled in a relaxing and cosy setting. It is for this simple reason that the Best Western Premier Leyland Hotel has quickly and quietly become an incontestable example to hotels in the area.

Best Western Premier Leyland Hotel

Leyland Way, Preston, England - PR25 4JX

Phone: +44 (0) 1772 422922 Fax: +44 (0) 1772 622282

Best Western Premier Shaftesbury Piccadilly Hotel

"British Home Sweet British Home"

The Best Western Premier Shaftesbury Piccadilly Hotel stands just a few yards from Piccadilly Circus, a spot the British long held to be the centre of their Empire, and Leicester Square. Like all mythical places, both abound in larger than life legends and reveal the quintessence of the nation's art de vivre.

Piccadilly Circus takes its name from the word "piccadils" that referred to the high cut-work lace collars that made the fortune of Robert Baker, a tailor who was one of the first landowners in West London in the 17th century. In the Greek Pantheon, Eros, the god of sensual love, had a twin brother, Anteros, the god of requited love. It is the way of the world that Eros has always had the people's favour to the detriment of Anteros, to such an extent that the statue that stands in the centre of the fountain on Piccadilly Circus has mistakenly become one of the universal symbols of London. It is in fact a statue of Anteros in a far more suitable metaphor of the philanthropic personality of the 7th Earl of Shaftesbury to whom it is a memorial. The statue moreover stands at the entrance to Shaftesbury Avenue and the bow originally pointed towards Winborne Saint Giles in Dorset where the Earl's estate was located. In echo of this popular misconception, the Best Western Premier Shaftesbury Piccadilly Hotel was at one point called the Eros Hotel. This is however understandable, given that the neighbourhood itself was something of a red-light district up until the early 20th century.

The West End, where the Best Western Premier Shaftesbury Piccadilly Hotel is located, is as closely associated today as ever it was with London's night-life. The Criterion Theatre, for example, was the home of the Reduced Shakespeare Company that rose to fame staging The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) in an irreverent and hilarious fast-paced romp through the bard's 37 plays in just 97 minutes. Other notable neighbours of the hotel include the Apollo Theatre, the Lyric Theatre and the Gielgud Theatre, among many others, all of whose shows can be booked by the hotel. The centrepiece of Leicester Square, home for its part to some of London's finest cinemas, is a statue of Charlie Chaplin, in a tribute to the humble beginnings of the starving actor when he played pantomime in the local theatres, before hopping on a ship to New York.

The hotel itself is a stylish example of English tradition, combining as it does the character of a Victorian red brick and stone facade with an often daring modern interior design. The rooms and communal areas of the hotel also feature this distinctive alchemy of tradition, humour, elegance and comfort, in a living portrait of the inimitable charm of London's population, where one is as just as likely to see a City golden boy complete with bowler hat strolling down the same street as a flamboyantly dressed young woman. It is impossible to resist the appeal of the comfortable dark wood four-poster beds or the daring and refreshing colour scheme of the breakfast room. Admire the quality of the carefully chosen curtain fabrics and the virtuosity of the hi-tech multimedia installations (most of the bathrooms are equipped with televisions positioned in such a way that they can be seen while relaxing in a soothing bath). Savour the fine sheets of Egyptian cotton and the complimentary basket of fresh fruit in your room, before testing the state-of-the-art sports equipment in the fitness centre. Don't hesitate to treat yourself to a cup of top-quality tea in your room and indulge in a spot of unadulterated tradition. The hotel abounds in tiny details that reveal its devotion to its guests' comfort: fresh flowers changed daily in the rooms, heated mirrors that don't steam up in the bathrooms, mood lighting, etc. England is that unique land that invented both tourism and the legendary concept of home comfort, symbolised by the expression "Home Sweet Home". And as the Best Western Premier Shaftesbury Piccadilly Hotel brilliantly illustrates, this apparent paradox is simply enhanced and offset by touches of tongue-in-cheek humour.

Best Western Premier Shaftesbury Piccadilly Hotel

65-73 Shaftesbury Avenue, Piccadilly, England, GB, London, England - W1D 6EX

Phone: +44 (0) 207 871 6000 Fax: +44 (0) 207 745 1207

Best Western Premier Yew Lodge Hotel

A noble family abode that has lost nothing of its soul

At the outset, the Best Western Premier Yew Lodge was the home of an aristocratic family. Even though this was two centuries ago, the rank and nobility of the house remain undeniable. Built on a hillside, it continues to command a sweeping view of the green countryside around Nottingham, whose famous forest is not far away. Nowadays the town of Kegworth has of course crept closer to the house, but it is still surrounded by ample grounds, even if it has had to sacrifice a few lawns here and there and a splendid trellis in the winter garden. Both are however depicted on an old painting of the property, which hangs in the hotel. At the time the house was called the Laurels, but its current name comes from the yews that were planted around the park, some of which still remain.

Before becoming the Best Western Premier Yew Lodge, the property was successively occupied by a minister, a distinguished entomologist and was even for a time a private school, most probably because of the lovely peaceful garden. When Mr and Mrs Andrews bought the property nearly 50 years ago, they intended to live in it with their family and open a tearoom. The establishment is now run by the Andrews' nephews, who have handpicked a stunningly cosmopolitan team that bends over backwards to welcome the large numbers of returning, satisfied guests. As for the tearoom project, it is now a 4-star hotel doubled with an award-winning restaurant.

What is perhaps the most amazing is that the Best Western Premier Yew Lodge has lost nothing of its original vocation as an English country house. It is English down to the bone from the fringes of the rugs to the ornate painting frames. The sitting room-cum-library and the bar are particularly representative of this inimitable Art de Vivre with their cosy club chairs and dark wooden wainscoting. The large lattice windows, ruffled curtains, Victorian grandfather clock and freshly cut flowers all embody the quintessence of England. The guestrooms are accordingly appointed in a sophisticated style that combines good taste with flawless comfort.

The justly earned AA star-rated restaurant is equally English in flavour. Like all the best chefs, the Orchard's makes it a point of honour to serve only the freshest natural local produce.

The pool and health and spa club also deserve special mention, both by the quality of their facilities as for the standard of the treatments available.

Guests at the Best Western Premier Yew Lodge are treated to a standard of service that offers all the comforts of home without the bother. The hotel's team comes from all over the world (America, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Germany, Greece, New Zealand, Poland, Rumania and Turkey), without forgetting a sprinkling of born and bred locals as well! This cultural melting pot represents an enviable asset in the hotel business and all the more so in an establishment such as the Best Western Premier Yew Lodge, whose dedication to hospitality and customer care are second to none.

Best Western Premier Yew Lodge Hotel

Packington Hill, Kegworth, England, GB, Kegworth, England - DE74 2DF

Phone: +44 (0) 1509 672518 Fax: +44 (0) 1509 674730

Best Western Premier Queen Hotel

Roots and Wings

The world in 1860 was experiencing profound change and progress, marvelling at exciting new discoveries, and still pondering vast unknown territories. In 1860 Abraham Lincoln is campaigning for election as President of the United States of America, the British stationed in India are inventing Badminton, in Scotland the first British Golf Open is taking place, Eduard Douwes Dekker is already writing his novel Max Havelaar, denouncing the exploitation of the indigenous people in Indonesia by the colonial governors, the expedition of the British Burke and Willis leaves Melbourne in August heading for the northern tip on a year-long adventure which will allow them to complete the first south-north crossing of Australia. Inextricably linked to these adventures the emergence of the middle class is one of the most lasting phenomena of the era. These people were extremely lucky to be able to work, travel, enjoy leisure time, and earn money.It is in this world and for these men, and sometimes women, who took the train and were learning new words such as "dinosaur" and "tourism" that in July 1860 in Chester, opposite its remarkable train station which is now classed as a historic monument, the Best Western Premier Queen Hotel was unveiled.

This world also had its traditions that the hotel honours and to which it has contributed to right up to the present day. It is an Art de Vivre which has a much more refined and surer sense of home and comfort when its subjects travel further and further, in an empire on which the sun never sets. It is precisely for this reason that the Best Western Premier Queen Hotel has always been the choice of great travellers such as Charles Dickens, who did reading tours across the country, or Cecil Rhodes who would have developed in the hotel gardens the plans which would lead to the birth of Rhodesia. Each savouring their tea, today as they did in those early days, in the leather sofas of the Albert Lounge with its fireplace and Victorian paintings. Each losing themselves in the luxurious warmth of the bar, with whiskies almost as old as the wood panelling, and brasses as bright as the lights are soft. Adjoining the bar, the Bacchus restaurant, which opens onto a superb shaded terrace in fine weather, completely deserves its rosette with an enticing menu and top class service.

Another great traveller, the actress Lillie Langtry, whose adventures and great beauty were the talk of the town on both sides of the Atlantic towards the end of the 19^th century, occupies a special place amongst the distinguished guests who have stayed at the hotel. The suite that takes her name today is emblematic of the authenticity and comfort offered by the Best Western Premier Queen Hotel to each of its visitors. It is unlike any other room in the hotel, each having their own style and character. Yet it enjoys the same generosity of facilities and design: four-poster bed, original paintings on the walls, antique furniture, impeccable bed and bath linens, digitally controlled lighting...

The actress liked to say "Anyone who limits her vision to memories of yesterday is already dead". The Best Western Premier Queen Hotel could make this quote its own as it has always known how to grow, without turning its back on its prestigious history, but rather by moving with the times and embracing progress: it takes talent to accept both roots and wings. It is to this approach that the hotel owes its ultra-modern gym, the latest multimedia equipment (particularly in the huge conference room), the perfect soundproofing and air-conditioning, and its unique character, enhanced by the many original 19^th century canvases it displays. One of the most celebrated painters of the time, Frederic Leighton, perfectly expressed the Victorian nostalgia for the "golden age" of ancient Greece and Rome. "The Idyll", one of his best known paintings, would earn a place of honour at the heart of the hotel because it features Lillie Langtry as a Nymph and, even more so, because it expresses the sophistication of this unique Art de Vivre, whose flame the hotel faithfully keeps alive.

Best Western Premier Queen Hotel

City Road, Chester, England - CH1 3AH

Phone: +44 1244 305 000 Fax: +44 1244 305 000