Inside The Ritz Paris

The place du jour to see and to be seen is the recently re-opened Ritz Paris. A symbol of luxury and elegance since it first opened in 1889, the hotel sparkles even brighter today, thanks to a renovation that saw the doors closed for nearly four years.

With a history of leading chefs including the legendary Auguste Escoffier, you will most definitely be wanting to book a table. You may choose to dine in the gastronomic L’Espadon restaurant, which has a retractable roof that turns the winter garden into a leafy patio, or perhaps, take high tea in the Salon Proust.

For a glamorous liaison, cocktails in the Bar Hemingway are a must — have head barman Colin Field whip you up the famous Ritz Sidecar, made with 1834 cognac (approximately 1500 euros [$2326] a glass). Or, you could flirt with the 50,000 wines on offer at the elegant Ritz Bar. Be sure to include a glass of Champagne Barons de Rothschild Ritz Vintage Brut 2008, created especially for the Ritz.

And, if it all gets a little heady, then there’s always the option to stay the night. Perhaps in one of the prestige suites named after illustrious guests from the past, including Coco Chanel, Chopin, Maria Callas or F. Scott Fitzgerald. Whatever you do, do not be tempted to grab a shot for Instagram. Guests here are far too fabulous to flaunt it. After all, good taste and discretion go hand-in-hand.

• 15 Place Vendome, 75001 Paris. For more info, visit ritzparis.com