Indulge in Palatial Opulence at The Peninsula Paris

When I first learned about Peninsula Time — the flexible check-in and check-out program that allows guests of all Peninsula Hotels to request their room as early as 6 am and keep it until 10 pm on departure day — I thought it sounded like a lovely convenience, but not necessarily transformative. That changed when I experienced it firsthand at The Peninsula Paris. As I came to realize, Peninsula Time is more than a scheduling perk; it blossoms into a frame of mind that slows your stay to the rhythm you dictate. The effect is simple but powerful … you can settle in and let each day unfold at your own pace, cocooned within this sumptuous retreat from Paris‘ urban rush outside the doors.

Review and Highlights of The Peninsula Paris

A Monument to the Past

A stay at The Peninsula Paris means sleeping inside a piece of history, and a remarkable one at that. The grand mansion on Avenue Kléber in the 16th arrondissement was constructed as a small-scale Versailles by one Count Basilewski of Russia, housed exiled Spanish Queen Isabella II from 1868 to 1906 and was reopened as the Hotel Majestic in 1908. It soon became one of the city’s most celebrated addresses — cultural giants of the early 20th century, like Pablo Picasso, Igor Stravinsky and James Joyce, frequented its halls, and George Gershwin composed “An American in Paris” while onsite. During WWI, that Belle Époque glamour gave way to wartime necessity as the hotel became a field hospital for wounded officers. The French government purchased the property in 1936 to serve as offices; in WWII, it was the home base of the German military high command in France.

Afterward, it housed the first headquarters of UNESCO before being repurposed as an international conference center for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 1973, in the space now known as Le Bar Kléber, it witnessed the signing of the Paris Peace Accords that ended American involvement in the Vietnam War. The government sold it decades later, and following a years-long, top-to-tail makeover, it reopened to much fanfare as The Peninsula Paris in 2014.

Since then, The Peninsula Paris has earned the elite Distinction Palace designation, a title reserved for the most exceptional properties in France — the 5-stars of the 5-stars, if you will. Not all are literal palaces, but they represent the pinnacle of luxury accommodations, with lofty service standards, outstanding gastronomy, fine amenities, exquisite style and craftsmanship, and significant heritage in a prime location.

The Peninsula’s opulent vibe is palpable the moment you enter the soaring, softly lit lobby, with the Dancing Leaves sculptural installation at its heart (an impressive piece with hundreds of hand-blown glass and crystal leaves suspended at various lengths to evoke a falling effect). Although you might imagine that such a posh property wouldn’t feel especially kid-friendly, luxury travel and family travel combine seamlessly here. The staff rolls out the red carpet for children as much as their parents, welcoming young guests with thoughtful touches, and the Peninsula Academy programming includes family-friendly activities like a culinary lesson with the hotel’s pastry chef and a family portrait session at the renowned Studio Harcourt nearby.

Rooms Fit for Royalty

The Peninsula Paris houses 200 rooms (including 93 suites from the Junior Suite category up), each one a sanctuary of comfort and sophisticated style. Our Grand Premier Room was an oasis amid the traffic and bustle below; as soon as we closed the French doors that led to a petite balcony overlooking Avenue Kléber, all traces of street noise dropped away. A cozy sitting area provided the perfect spot for morning coffee or an evening glass of wine, and the calming neutral palette made it easy to unwind after a day en flânant along the boulevards with pauses to shop and sightsee.

It’s not often that a bathroom makes my list of highlights, but this one was a curving, marble-clad showstopper. I spent a full hour luxuriating in the soaking tub, which is so deep it feels like you could swim in it. My favorite touch: a button next to the tub labeled Spa Mode, which, when pressed, dims the lighting, turns on soothing music and illuminates the “do not disturb” panel at the entry. Now that is pampering.

I also appreciated the walk-in dressing room, complete with a built-in nail dryer (a Peninsula signature) and a valet door that allows staff to return clothes from cleaning or hang shopping purchases without disturbing guests. Thoughtful extras like these are part of what elevates The Peninsula from luxe to extraordinary.

For families, the hotel offers connecting rooms that provide space and flexibility; Superior Suites feature a separate living room and bedroom, another configuration that works well when traveling with children. If you’re up for true indulgence, the five Signature Suites represent the ultimate in luxury. Each one is vast, with a majestic foyer and a full living and dining area plus a separate king bedroom. What makes them special, though, is that each also offers something unique. The Rooftop Garden Suite, for instance, has an open-air courtyard at its heart, while the Historic Suite is decorated to evoke vintage Paris with intricate millwork, shimmering top notes and dashes of Art Deco.

Extra bedrooms can be connected to transform the Historic Suite and others into multi-bedroom units, making it perfect for multigenerational families or groups of friends.

Dining that Delights

With seven different food and beverage venues onsite, The Peninsula Paris offers a culinary experience to suit every mood and moment. Our mornings began at LiLi, where a beautifully arranged stand of freshly baked breads and pastries awaited at our table amid the lavish Asian-inspired decor. You can opt to stick with a Continental breakfast or choose from a full list of American, Chinese and other dishes. LiLi also serves Cantonese cuisine at lunch and dinner as well as a Saturday brunch that includes traditional dim sum.

For guests seeking more of a classically European atmosphere, Le Lobby is a stunner — the gilt-bedecked space, flooded with natural light and crowned with ornate crystal chandeliers, serves from early morning to late night. The menu weaves together French classics and flavors from around the globe, and whether you’re stopping in for Sunday brunch, afternoon tea or evening small plates, the experience feels both grand and relaxed.

The enclosed patio of La Terrasse Kléber, which also serves throughout the day, echoes Paris’ legendary café culture. This is an excellent spot for sipping coffee or a glass of something stronger while you watch passersby along the street. When evening arrives, Le Bar Kléber beckons with its handsome, masculine aesthetic, the ideal setting for a perfectly crafted cocktail, and Le Lounge Kléber embodies the refined pleasure of a cigar lounge, complete with a frescoed ceiling that will draw your gaze upward as you nurse a snifter of cognac.

But the jewel of The Peninsula’s dining scene is L’Oiseau Blanc, perched on the rooftop with wraparound city views that will take your breath. This two-Michelin-star restaurant offers both a tasting menu and à la carte options showcasing wonderfully inventive flavors that honor French tradition while pushing the culinary envelope. The space itself strikes a delightful balance between elegant and playful, with an aviation theme that pays homage to legendary French pilots Charles Nungesser and François Coli, who disappeared in 1927 while attempting the first nonstop transatlantic flight from Paris to New York. The restaurant takes its name from their plane (L’Oiseau Blanc translates to “The White Bird”) and a small replica hangs from the ceiling.

The view of the Eiffel Tower from L’Oiseau Blanc is simply spectacular, and the adjacent rooftop terrace, open seasonally, ranks among the best vantage points in all of Paris to watch the tower come alive with its sparkling lights every hour on the hour after sunset. No matter how many times you see it, the light show never gets old — click here for a video I captured from the rooftop.

Spa, Wellness and Experiences to Savor

Deep within the hotel lies The Peninsula Spa, a serene escape accessible only to hotel guests and spa members. For parents craving a bit of adult time, the spa menu offers rejuvenation in the form of facials, massages, therapies such as meditation and breathwork, and comprehensive body and beauty treatments. The Peninsula Journeys are particularly special; these multi-hour, head-to-toe sessions approach wellness from both an aesthetic and a holistic standpoint.

At the spa’s core is a beautiful pool that maintains the tranquil atmosphere while still welcoming children (provided they’re accompanied by an adult and behave respectfully). You’ll also find whirlpool tubs, a sauna and a hammam, as well as a fitness center that offers weekly yoga and personal training for those who want to maintain their workout routine even while traveling.

Beyond the spa, The Peninsula Academy arranges experiences that immerse guests in the insider highlights of Paris. Book a private cruise down the Seine with caviar and Champagne, embark on a wine-tasting session with a certified sommelier or learn the art of dim sum preparation alongside LiLi’s talented chef. The options are all designed to help you connect with the city and its culture in a meaningful, memorable way.

For local excursions, guests can book chauffeur service via the hotel’s customized luxury car fleet: a 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II, a Rolls-Royce EWB Phantom, two MINI Clubmans and 10 BMW 7 Series limousines.

Local Charm

The 16th arrondissement is quiet and largely residential, and I love that it feels local yet is just a few minutes’ walk from the Arc de Triomphe (and a slightly longer but still easy stroll from the Eiffel Tower). Avenue Kléber itself is a stately Hausmannian boulevard lined with boutiques and classic cafés. The area also attracts museum-lovers — explore the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris and the avant-garde Palais de Tokyo, or venture slightly farther to the Musée Marmottan Monet (one of my favorites), which holds the largest collection of Monet paintings in the world.

A 10-minute taxi ride or a half hour’s walk will bring you to the Bois de Boulogne and Jardin d’Acclimatation, which offer green space, boating ponds and a sweet amusement park for kids. And if you’re in town for the French Open tennis tournament, Roland-Garros is less than 15 minutes away by car.

Relevant Links:

Browse all destinations and accommodations in France on Ciao Bambino

52 tips for traveling in France with kids

Paris with kids: Guide to the 8 central arrondissements

72 hours in Paris with kids

Insider guide to visiting the Eiffel Tower with kids

Guide to visiting Paris with toddlers

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Ciao Bambino received a media package in order to review The Peninsula Paris. As always, our opinions are our own. Photos by Lisa Frederick except where noted.

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.