French Hotel Puts the 'Ooh!' in Ooh La La

Since opening in early 2007, Paris' Hotel Fouquet's Barriere has become a darling of the French media, and it even hosted President Nicolas Sarkozy on his election night. Here's what to expect if you're lucky enough to score a room here.
 

First Impression

Guests enter a curved lobby lounge arranged in gold and pewter tones decorated with pleated drapery, sculpted-glass chandeliers and plush couches. A center passageway with embroidered silk wallpaper and a spiral staircase leads to the main check-in area with a reception desk emblazoned with beveled rococo mirrors. Black-and-white photographs of France's favorite film stars adorn the walls.
 

In-Room Amenities

The 107-room hotel is contained within three interconnected buildings surrounding a courtyard. Jacques Garcia, who made a name for himself at the Hotel Costes, Miami's Hotel Victor and New York's Spice Market, designed the interiors.

We expect big things from our room. A cherry-wood door opens to a hallway that connects to the superior guest room intersected by two closet-size alcoves containing a wood-paneled wardrobe and marble-tiled toilet room separate from the main bedroom and bathroom. 

The beauty is in the details. We overlook the lack of imagination in placing a long desk directly in front of the bed and marvel at the oversize mirror concealing an inlaid flatscreen TV, intricate leather-tufted headboard and on-call butler available 24 hours a day.
 

Bathroom and Details

A double entryway of wood-and-glass doors frames a meticulous bathroom with soaking tub, large, enclosed shower and a recessed television. A small spritzer bottle of Hermes perfume compliments two arrangements of private-label toiletries.