MY STAY
Room & hotel history
The Ritz Paris had enough character in its corridors and public rooms that the walk back to my bedroom was part of the stay. A well-kept deluxe room could be plenty, provided its view was the one booked; not every window faces Place Vendôme. I cared more about a good night's sleep there than having the most famous suite.
Bathroom & service
Practical bathroom comforts, from a hairbrush to a travel dental kit, made the room feel prepared for a real guest. Public service was not uniformly gracious, though. Having a bill placed down before a drink was finished felt like a nudge to leave, particularly odd at this price.
Martinis at Bar Hemingway
At Bar Hemingway, the bartender asked how I wanted my Martini and made it to that taste rather than hand over an automatic house version. I made time for the pool on another day and reserved dinner so the bar, restaurant and spa were not all crammed into one rushed night during a short stay in Paris.
Would I return?
The Ritz history is worth another visit when the people make it feel lived in rather than preserved. A precise room outlook and enough time to enjoy the building mattered more than choosing the Ritz name in a hurry.