Night N° 1 : London
St. Pancras Renaissance
St. Pancras International,
Euston Road, London NW1 2AR
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/lonpr-st-pancras-renaissance-london-hotel/
There’s nothing more exotic than crossing the pond for a Frenchie. When we stepped off the Eurostar, we were immediately struck by the imposing St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel. Here, luxury meets the grotesqueness of neo-Victorian gothic architecture. From the exterior to the interior, we fell in love with its singular and unique universe. You might have the urge to rock out a bit though, since it first looks like a fairytale castle from the outside. Its opulence and detail might lead to sensory overload, and why not a little bit of decadence.
The double staircase might leave you staring in awe for hours (or maybe just in my case), following the tracks of Mel B. and her crew, or even climbing up and sliding down again the way Bruce Wayne did in Batman Begins. Thought we didn’t know it before, it almost felt like a pilgrimage of sorts.
With 245 rooms and 38 stately suites, a world-class restaurant designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, the St. Pancras mixes the splendor and sophistication of 19th-century London high society with the comfort of the contemporary jetset. After a quick dinner at the hotel restaurant with all the crew, we caught a few cold ones while enjoying a “Sofar” acoustic gig, then went to a sleazy club in Dalston, reluctantly leaving behind this phantasmagoric luxury…
Night N°2 : Paris
Arc de Triomphe Renaissance
39 Avenue de Wagram
75017 Paris
http://www.marriott.fr/hotels/travel/parwg-renaissance-paris-arc-de-triomphe-hotel/
Hopping into an early train back to town, sleeping off the last night’s vodka/ tonic, we happily checked into the sleek and quiet five-star Arc de Triomphe Renaissance—one of four Renaissance hotels in Paris. The ideal place considering the night we had…
Dreamt up by Christian de Porzamparc, it’s unique and almost hard-to-believe façade is entirely made of wavy glass and has a view on the Haussmanian avenue de Wagram. This uncluttered and bright business hotel is distinguished by its extreme comfort and modern, though timeless refinement.
And still, after a quick break at the hotel room, a spectacular dinner made by a Top chef finalist on the rooftop, we let ourselves slip a little bit on this island of peace and calm with more than a few glasses of champagne…
Moderation again was the leitmotiv of the Paris by night tour in a white limo. After a jaunt at the Faust’s terrasse, under the Alexandre III bridge, the most iconic bridge of Paris, we finally made it back to crash in our beloved hotel room.
Thanks to the Marriott Renaissance team for the opportunity, we had had a blast in your hotels, and can’t wait to go back.
