"The Concierge Recommends" is a section which reveals the personal opinions and recommendations of highly knowledgeable concierges working in the world's top hotels. This inaugural issue features Jean-Claude Elgaire, Chef Concierge of one of Paris' finest hotels, Hotel Plaza Athenee. M. Elgaire has spent his entire career, forty five years, as Concierge at the Plaza Athenee.
Sophisticated travellers understand the value of an expert concierge. Simply appearing in town - on business or pleasure - with an out of date travel guide (and aren't they all?) expecting to have a satisfying experience, one is liable to encounter the sort of disappointment and frustration which many people associate with all travel. Typical travel books - even if they are of the current year - tend to be written by groups of underpaid (not to mention under-travelled) researchers of varying personalities and interests, more than 12 months earlier and with a broad, general, lowest common denominator market in mind. Additionally, such unfocused, impersonal and unreliable information often comes hundreds of pages in length - leaving the chore of editing, and carrying, to you. A skilled concierge at a fine hotel, on the other hand, is like having a very good friend in town who is exceptionally well informed, and with excellent taste, who also happens to have extensive connections and can tailor recommendations to your particular needs.
M. Elgaire, whose personal recommendations are found at the bottom of this page, is a particularly suitable example of the species with whom to launch this series as he is also President of the prestigious international organization of Concierges - "Les Clefs d'Or".
Two nearby restaurant recommendations with short descriptions: Andre (Bistrot)(2), Market (Fashionable Place) (3), 6 New York (Fashionable Place) (4)
Two unique/special boutiques in the area: Prada (5), Louis Vuitton (6)
One Cafe: Deux Magots (7)
One Museum: Louvre (8)
Your favourite area of Paris? Marais (9)
What do you like to do on a day off? Discover new places (restaurants, shows, exhibitions)
Your favourite park: Luxembourg (10)
Favourite walk: Along the river bank of La Seine
Something new which many people don't know about yet : Baccarat Museum (11)
What is your favourite aspect of your hotel ? It is very representative of Paris
Hotel Plaza Athenee 25, avenue Montaigne - 75008 Paris - France
Tel : 33-1-53 67 66 65 Fax : 33-1-53 67 66 66 www.plaza-athenee-paris.com
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