Paris

Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme

5 Rue de la Paix, 75002 Paris, France

As much as I enjoy a nice hotel, the Park Hyatt is traditionally a little on the spendy side for me. However, if you happen to have travel points, check whether or not your credit card's value system is higher or lower than the hotel chain's. In the case of this hotel, Chase points was somewhere along the lines of 110,000 pts per night to stay here. Using Hyatt Points only cost us 40,000 points. So let this serve as the STANDARD H/Points Guy hack: if you transfer your Chase (AMEX, etc) over to Hyatt points, you'll save 70,000 points for the stay and you get to treat yourself! This hotel was so wonderful. The location is epic, especially if you're looking to do some shopping at the nicer boutiques - Place Vendôme is world renowned. It's also a short walk to the Galeries Lafayette Mall (keep in mind there are two: one for women, and one for men). We dined out every meal, so I can't speak for the food on offer, at the Park Hyatt, but having the Nespresso machine in the room was incredibly convenient while getting ready each morning.

 

Harry's New York Bar

5 Rue Daunou, 75002 Paris, France

While we were in Paris, it just so happened Matt Hranek was in town for an event launching his book, "A Man & His Kitchen." The bar is narrow and dimly lit, however, the event happened to be down a very narrow staircase that opens up to a full basement-sized space with a low ceiling and its own bar. It was a blast. Negronis were had, and I can't wait to go back.

 

Bar Hemingway

15 Pl. Vendôme, 75001 Paris, France

Inside the rear entrance to the Ritz Hotel in Place Vendôme is Bar Hemingway. It was around 5:10-5:15pm when we arrived thinking it would be open only to realize it actually opens at 5:30pm. There were already 3 people standing outside the door - all American - and they said we should wait as we may not otherwise get in later. We made quick friends with a couple while waiting, sat down alongside them just as the bar opened, and we proceeded to drink and chat for around 3 hours. We each only had two drinks during that time - martinis of course - and they were amazing. It was such a great experience I almost don't want to return just because it was so perfect. I doubt I'll obstain, however.

 

Brasserie Flottes

2 Rue Cambon, 75001 Paris, France

We ended up here fairly late after Bar Hemingway, followed by dropping our shopping bags off at the hotel. It seems very few locals make reservations in Paris, and Brasserie Flottes has a fairly local-feeling energy - especially late on a weeknight. The food was great and the service was equally as good. The manager working the front was extremely hospitable, seated us right away (even though the kitchen was about to close) and we had a great experience.

 

Chez André

12 Rue Marbeuf, 75008 Paris, France

I actually have a friend from high school who lives in Paris, and we went to dinner here. This was a fun room...tables close together and a ton of energy. A great spot for dinner with friends, family, or a group dinner of some kind. It wouldn't be my choice for a date spot, but if you order the steak au poivre, you may just enter your own zone. Magnifique.