A toast in Paris at the start of our tasting menu & wine pairing at O’Chateau set up by MrAristotle. Pictured: Aude Martouzet (right), Lindsey Ueberroth (center) and Michaela Guzy (left).

Paris is a city that I never get sick of visiting. I spend a disproportionate amount of my life in hotels, so staying somewhere that has a design element, a lively lobby scene, non-fussy service, great food and possibly a notable chef, are all important factors in my hotel decision-making process. Admittedly, during my most recent visit to the city of lights, I was presented with options that I had never taken in consideration before: indoor pools, outdoor spaces, seasonal menus, great retail outlets (or proximity to), heated toilets (oh yes, TOTO only) and concierges who truly know insider spots outside of the hotel to eat and spend the night on the town (recommendations below).

While we had dinner on the heated patio of the ever popular Hotel Costes, I find the rooms too dark to actually apply makeup in. My two favorites this visit were Le Royal Monceau by Raffles and the Mandarin Oriental Paris.

The indoor pool at Le Royal Monceau’s spa by Clarins.

Trinkets at Le Royal Monceau’s gift shop.

Kristina Cook modeling the Japanese TOTO toilets en-suite at Le Royal Monceau.

L’Eclaireur, shop at Le Royal Monceau.

Kristina Cook admiring the jewelry case at L’Eclaireur, Le Royal Monceau.

Le Royal Monceau boasts a lively lobby bar, heated TOTO toilets, a deliciously unique Michelin star French restaurant, La Cuisine with a seasonal menu and a Michelin star Italian restaurant, Il Carpaccio that resembles a greenhouse. Their concierge staff not only had all the hottest tips of where to dance and eat, but also has a resident art concierge. The gift shop boasts creative trinkets and L’Eclaireur, features all the top designers, including Celine to more up-and-coming, Philippe Airaud (I had to buy one of his rose gold bracelets).

The view from the bathroom of a suite at the Mandarin Oriental, Paris. Photo compliments of Mandarin Oriental.

A view from the terrace at the Mandarin Oriental. Photo compliments of Mandarin Oriental.

The lobby garden at the Mandarin Oriental, Paris. Photo compliments of Mandarin Oriental.

The indoor pool at the Mandarin Oriental. Photo compliments of Mandarin Oriental.

The Mandarin Oriental boasts one of the BEST addresses in all of Paris, right on the rue Saint-Honore. Every designer, from the French classics such as Chanel, to the younger funky brands, like Tara Jarmon, have a shop on this street. The hotel has a labyrith combination of a spa, pool and gym below the hotel. But other than the proximity to serious impending credit card damage, my favorite part of the hotel is the interior courtyard garden and views of the city from their suite terraces.

WHERE TO EAT:

1) O’Chateau, Wine Tasting & Wine Bar. Contact Mr. Aristotle for the private guided tasting menu and wine pairing. Mr.Aristotle, the experience site, also offer stellar private stylist packages.

Our waiter at O’Chateau, Wine Tasting & Wine Bar. A feast for all your senses.

2) Ferdi: Quaint and full of locals, as Zagat touted, “…everything from Venezuelan tapas to the best cheeseburger in Paris”.

Ferdi for a a casual albeit delicious meal. Make a reservation because it’s popular with the locals and small.

3) La Cuisine, the Michelin star French restaurant at Le Royal Monceau.

La Cuisine. Photo compliments of Le Royal Monceau.

Canard-a-L’Orange, La Cuisine, Le Royal Monceau. Photo compliments of Le Royal Monceau.

4) Il Carpaccio, the Michelin star French restaurant at Le Royal Monceau.

Il Carpaccio, the Italian restaurant at Le Royal Monceau. Photo compliments of Le Royal Monceau.

5) Chez Boris, for the best hang over steak frites.

Chez Boris for hangover steak frites.

A NIGHT ON THE TOWN (reservations suggested for all):

1)  Club Silencio: A movie theatre and a night club with a reflective dance floor, is modeled after David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive,  just make sure you are on the list.

2) Experimental Cocktail Club: Being on the list is essential at this modern-day speak easy. Fun music and always packed. If you are into less of a fuss, the owners of ECC have opened Curio Parlor on the Left Bank.

3) Le Ballroom du Beef Club: Also by the owners of ECC, also a downstairs speakeasy vibe. When you think you’ve successfully found the address: 58, rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, look for the black door to the left. Suggest arriving just before midnight to secure your spot, afterwards good luck.

4) Hotel Costes: always chic, always full and always a scene. Decent food on the heated patio. Also recommend getting a cocktail at the bar or drinking a bottle of rose on the patio. Great music, the soundtrack is also for sale.

The Louvre, Paris. C’mon, I had to add something touristy to a piece on Paris!