Arrival/Check-in: The Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome (shown above and below) is located in a former bank building on the Rue de la Paix, minutes from the Place Vendome, the Opera House and the chic shops on the Faubourg Saint-Honore. Unlike Paris’ formal grand dame luxury hotels, with their fin de siecle décor, the interior of Park Hyatt is warm, elegant and modern, with rich structural elements that include golden limestone and mahogany with gilt bronze accents plus an impressive collection of contemporary art.

The bellhop who met me at the entrance led me to the reception desk overlooking the interior courtyard. Check-in was flawless and quick. I was escorted to my room and familiarized with its features. My luggage arrived in my room just after I did, so I did not have to wait forever to hook up my laptop and recharge my BlackBerry. (19/20)

Guest Quarters: My standard room had a king-size bed and a desk with desk-level electrical outlets for recharging cell phones and laptops. (No crawling around on knees looking for outlets.) All rooms come with Bang & Olufsen entertainment systems, satellite television and high-speed Internet access (about $28 per day). The feature I liked the best was the spacious dressing-room/bathroom, with its heated floor, deep soaking tub and stone-enclosed rain shower with a sink for in-shower shaving. The dressing area had a second sink, a very generous closet and a built-in dresser with large drawers topped off by a big luggage rack. The room did not have a coffeemaker, but that was no surprise in a luxury hotel in which room service is speedy.

The hotel’s suites, with views over the rooftops of Paris, include en suite spas for those who have the wherewithal to be rejuvenated in private. Blaise Mautin, an up-and-coming Paris perfumer, created the hotel toiletries. (14/15)

Services/Amenities: The hotel spa includes a small gym, steam rooms, saunas and three treatment rooms. Les Orchidees, the restaurant-lounge that overlooks the courtyard, provides food service throughout the day. Le Bar, which also faces the courtyard, is a great place to meet colleagues for drinks. Le Pur’Grill is an innovative fine dining restaurant open for dinner. (42/45)

The Experience: The Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome is five years old, an infant by Paris hotel standards. Yet when you mix a great location with a unique, elegant building and a very friendly, accommodating staff, you have a real winner in the City of Light. (19/20)

Total Score: (94/100)

Park Hyatt Paris -Vendome

3 Rue de la Paix
75002 Paris
tel 33 1 5871 1234
http://paris.vendome.hyatt.com