Location: The property has what is arguably one of the best locations in Paris. You’ll find the Mandarin Oriental on Rue Saint-Honoré by Place Vendôme (also home to Ritz Paris), surrounded by high-end boutiques. Balmain and Alexander McQueen are directly across the road while Chloé, Dior, Chanel and Céline are all neighbours. Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries Garden and the Louvre are a short amble away. The closest Metro stop is Madeleine.

First impressions: I’ve never stayed in a Mandarin Oriental that hasn’t impressed me from the second I step foot through the door and this experience was no different. I had schlepped across Paris with a pram and must have looked a little frazzled, but the attentive staff quickly whisked my luggage away and recommended I relax on a sumptuous velvet sofa.

A glass of champagne quickly arrived, the check-in was seamless and discreet, and before I knew it, I was in my suite tucking into a giant chocolate Eiffel Tower that had been left as a welcome treat.

The facts: The building is rooted in the city’s grand history; dating back to the 16th century, it has served as a monastery, theatre, and royal riding school in its time. One of the very few Parisian properties to be given ‘palace’ status (by Atout France), Mandarin Oriental, Paris, is a perfect base for visitors to the City of Light.

Its decor is more modern than many other high-end hotels – think Parisian haute couture: Swarovski crystal chandeliers; a colour palette of gold, magenta and plum; touchy-feely textiles; and epic bedroom amenities such as Frette bathrobes and Diptyque products.

The hotel has just shy of 140 rooms and suites, many of which overlook a luscious central courtyard and have private terraces. The garden at the centre might be the sweetest smelling corner of Paris thanks to the gorgeous white camellia, jasmine and olive trees that create intimate areas for those visiting cocktail venue Bar 8 or dining in Camélia by Thierry Marx (open for breakfast, lunch and dinner).

At the centre of the garden is a black marble fountain (adding to the serene vibes up until my one-year-old tried to jump in head first!). For something special, recommend the two-Michelin-starred gourmet option of Sur Mesure par Thierry Marx, which is open for dinner from Tuesday to Saturday. The spa is equally special with a 14-metre lap pool and signature treatments such as Oriental Harmony where two therapists work together on the ultimate four-handed massage.

Ideal for: Shoppers; after all, the hotel is located on one of the city’s oldest and best shopping streets.

Explore: Head out on foot and explore the Tuileries Garden – the perfect people-watching spot. Walk through the park to reach the banks of the Seine or the Louvre – to the east of the hotel.

Wow: The little touches made a huge impact – from providing a divine packed-lunch for a picnic under the Eiffel Tower and a pillow menu to the endless delicious treats placed in our suite. Mandarin Oriental’s staff listen to their clients and tailor their service to meet your needs. Perfection!

Book it: Rooms lead in at €1,800 a night. mandarinoriental.com