"The Concierge Recommends" is a section which reveals the personal opinions and recommendations of highly knowledgeable concierges working in the world's top hotels.
One time when staying at Le Bristol on Rue de Faubourg St. Honore in Paris I was running late for dinner and had a few questions for the concierge - the name and address of the Alain Ducasse restaurant I'd heard about, the address of the Marithe & Francois Girbaud shop in St. Germain and the performances and availability of tickets to the opera - Bastille or Garnier. I didn't have time to talk so I just left a message on my way through the lobby that I would appreciate answers to those questions when I return later tonight. I also asked for suggestions of restaurants and night clubs.
Returning shortly after midnight, the Concierge on duty, Oliver greeted me and with great pride - and excellent penmanship - proceeded to list a series of his recommendations. Such was his enthusiasm for the task - discussing the merits of one restaurant or night club over another - we talked for almost an hour.
Oliver's extensive handwritten recommendations are found at the bottom of this page.
A list of questions which were emailed to the hotel after my stay were returned by Oliver's colleague, Wolf Ganzel, Chef Concierge who has been at Le Bristol for 38 years - all but two of which have been in the position of concierge. M. Ganzel's recommendations are marked on the map in red.
What is the one thing that most people miss when visiting Paris, which they absolutely should not? The Montmartre area (1)
Two nearby restaurant recommendations with short descriptions: Market (2) and new trendy George's Restaurant (3)
Two unique/special boutiques in the area: Christian Lacroix (4), new Tod's boutique on the Faubourg (5)
One Cafe: Laduree on the Champs-Elysee (6)
One Museum: Rodin Museum (7)
Your favourite area of Paris? The Marais area (8)
What do you like to do on a day off? Art galleries and sports
Your favourite park: St Cloud (9)
Favourite walk: Left bank, Quai Voltaire (10)
Something new which many people don't know about yet: La Pinacotheque de Paris (11)
What is your favourite aspect of your hotel? The restaurant and the swimming pool
