View Online


You are receiving DG Amazing Experiences as a user of private aviation. Our travel briefs are specifically designed for private aviation users, covering the best in new hotels, villas, travel adventures, and security while traveling. We have over 20,000 readers weekly in over 80 countries. If you would no longer like to receive our reports, unsubscribe here.





In This Issue:

DG Amazing Experiences
Insider Travel Briefs For Private Aviation Travelers

Special Report:

Trianon Palace, 

A Waldorf Astoria Hotel

Meet In The Room Where The Treaty Of Versailles Was Signed;

Gordon Ramsey 1-Star Michelin Restaurant And Chef’s Table; 

Extensive Guerlain Spa;

2,200 Sq. Ft. Indoor Pool;

Minutes From Versailles;

Ride Horses In Louis XIV’s Stable;

Private Access to The Palace

 

Check-out Our DGAE Library featuring:

Insider previews of top suites and villas at hotels and resorts across the USA, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brasil, China, England, France, French Polynesia, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Maldives, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Oman, Portugal, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, Switzerland, Tahiti, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, Vietnam, plus on the high seas aboard Regent Seven Seas Explorer, Seabourn Encore, Crystal Esprit and Norwegian Breakaway

Special Report: Trianon Palace, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel - December 2016



A Different View Of Paris…


Paris has plenty of terrific 5-star hotels big and small spread throughout the city (including those with superior Eiffel Tower views), each with distinctive features and some of the world's best suites. However, one of the city's main attractions is outside the city, Versailles, seat of the government and palace for King Louis XIV attracting over 7 million visitors a year.  

Less than a mile away is Trianon Palace, the hotel where the Treaty of Versailles was signed ending WWI and some believe sewing the seeds for WWII. In addition to a nice place for a romantic weekend, fine dining with its Gordon Ramsay restaurant, it is a fantastic location for meetings and events. The hotel also can provide various experiences not open to the general public at Versailles, and it is a convenient hopping off place if the palace is in your plans. Our Special Report is below.


PS — We keep all past issues on an easy to access website DG Amazing Experiences where you can find both newsletters and special reports.


I hope all your trips are amazing experiences!

 

All the best,

 

Doug Gollan

Founder/Editor-in-Chief

DG Amazing Experiences

 Please Note - DG Amazing Experiences is not commercially affiliated with any of the resorts we profile or travel advisors we reference


In This Issue:


Trianon Palace, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel


1.  Overview

2.  Accommodations

3.  Dining and Bars

4.  Spa and Fitness

5.  Meetings

6.  Getting There

7.  Key Contact

8.  DGAE Special Reports Library




Our Security Reports (Links Below):


Should you drive a car in Cuba?

How to survive a terrorism attack

Preventing A Robbery While Traveling



Living Like A King: 

Trianon Palace, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel

1. OVERVIEW

Needless to say Paris has a number of “palace hotels.” However, if you want to be next to the palace most people come to Paris to see, Versailles (#4 in the world, according to Travel + Leisure with over 7.5 million annual visitors), you will be a half hour outside the city. And the best hotel nearby Versailles is Trianon Palace, part of Waldorf Astoria, one of Hilton Worldwide’s two flags that play in the luxury market (Conrad being the other).

 

Built in Rococo style, it is located in a park about five minutes from King Louis XIV’s former abode. Grazing sheep in the park outside are supposedly descendents of those in the flock of Marie Antoinette, and the building has the historical significance of being the venue for signing the Treaty of Versailles, end to WWI. The (pictured below) Clemenceau Ballroom (named for the French Prime Minister) was the actual site where with Woodrow Wilson and others signed the documents. Since many historians consider the “winner take all” terms of the truce the seeds of WWII, it offers some deep thinking for any CEO who has to make critical decisions in both mergers and everyday deal making.

 

Like most luxury hotels these days, it’s not just about the bed, marble, white gloves and haute gastronomy. The keyword is experience, and with its close proximity to Versailles, there are numerous private visit opportunities to sections of the palace normally off limits to the public, private meetings with palace gardeners, historians, or even a private riding session at the Royal Stables, which at one time was home to over 700 of the King’s horses. They lived much better than many of the folks in Paris at the time.

While Louis XIV may have created Versailles to get away from the hubbub of Paris and keep his Nobles close enough that he could prevent them from revolting against him (another good business lesson - keep your friends close and enemies closer), Trianon Palace also makes sense if you need to stay over in Paris for a weekend, but don’t want to be in the city. It has over 14,000 sq. ft. of meeting, including catering from its Gordon Ramsey Michelin-starred restaurant, so it is good for events as well. In these troubling times, its outer walls and gates also make it a venue with good security and away from major target zones.

 

Trip Advisor rates Trianon Palace #1 out of 26 hotels in the area giving it 4 stars. If you are traveling with a group, rooms in the new wing where the conference center is located received several comments about not being to the same standard. The hotel was nearly full when I was there, so I wasn’t able to see them. In terms of other complaints, being part of a company with a points-based loyalty program, there are complaints from Hilton HHonors members who were unhappy with their upgrades or lack of. Expedia, which provides verified reviews, rates the hotel a 4.4 of 5, with 89% of guests recommending it. Top selling luxury travel agents I talked with like the hotel for the location (if visiting Versailles) and as a near Paris venue for meetings, events and parties (taking advantage of its park setting in warmer months). There were no shortcomings I found that would make you avoid the hotel, and again, if you are looking to be near Versailles, it’s pretty much the place to go.


2. ACCOMMODATIONS:


Versailles Suite

 

This is the hotel’s version of a presidential suite, and it is on the 2nd floor at the farthest end of the main building from the reception. It takes up the entire end of the building, giving it panoramic views of the park, gardens, and courtyard. It can be expanded (from 1,614 sq. ft.) up to 3 bedrooms bringing it to about 2,475 sq. ft. 


There is a living room, dining room, with service kitchen, walk-in closet, marble and tile bathroom with deep tub and walk-in shower, plus a treadmill in a hallway and two fireplaces. Its location above the Clemenceau Ballroom, which has an outdoor terrace, is worth a discussion before you confirm your booking to ensure there are no large events taking place.

 

Terrace Suites (601 and 602)

 

There are two Terrace Suites (1,184 sq. ft.), each on the 6th floor of the historic main building, however at opposite ends. Both are single bedroom, and 602 does not have an elevator, so you walk up from the 5th floor. The payoff is you have castle views, while 601 has a keyed elevator that brings you to its 6th floor location in the opposite turret, with views of the courtyard, gardens and park. 


Both have outdoor patios big enough to relax on lounge chairs or have a romantic dinner when the weather is good. Both offer extreme privacy. They each have walk-in closets and separate walk-in shower and bathtub. They are the definition of a love nest” and also a good place for a proposal.

 

King Deluxe Suite Park View

 

There are five King Deluxe Park View Suites, while slightly different are essentially standard 1-bedroom suites, some with options to add 1 or 2 connecting rooms. With a single bedroom, they are about 730 sq. ft., and have separate walk-in showers and bathtubs, something standard rooms don’t necessarily have. The park view suites with Marie Antoinette’s sheep grazing outside your window is a much better view than the courtyard, which looks onto the new wing and conference center.


 


3. DINING AND BARS

 

The highlight is Gordon Ramsey’s 1-star Michelin restaurant on the ground floor with Parc de Versailles as the backdrop. There are only 10 tables, plus a Chef’s Table that is in a private enclosure, slightly elevated with a large viewing window into the kitchen. The Chef’s table seats eight (below), and it is charged as Euros 1,200 for six people, including a bottle of champagne, with Euros 200 per person for additions. Next door is The Gordon Ramsey Lounge which seats 60. For private dinners, you can seat up to 140 between the main dining room and the lounge. The restaurant closes in January annually.

 

La Veranda


Also by Gordon Ramsay, La Veranda has an attractive black and white décor by British decorator Fiona Thompson. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It offers a modern take on classic cuisine and in the summer months has an outdoor terrace where tables have views of Chateau de Versailles.

 

Bar Galerie

 

Terrasse du Bar Galerie during the summer adds garden armchairs and sofas. It serves a light menu of grilled fish, meat and salads. Inside, under the soft light of antique chandeliers, enjoy tea or sip cocktails. It’s open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, drinks and afternoon tea.

 

4. SPA AND FITNESS

 

Spa


The 3,100 sq. ft. Guerlain Spa is below ground level, however, it was built with a glass roof at ground level, letting the sun into its extensive 2,200 sq. ft. heated indoor pool, surrounded by two story high Roman pillars. There are 14 treatment suites, hammer and steam room and sun deck. The treatment menu is extensive ranging close to a dozen pages with sessions that can last nearly half a day. Daily from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.


Fitness Center

The fitness center features Technogym products, including leg extension, adductor, abductor, total abdominal, elliptical cross trainers, treadmills, a rower, high and low pull machines and two bikes. You can arrange personal training sessions, Polar BodyAge™ physical assessments, nutritional consultations, use two on-site asphalt tennis courts and an expansive warm-up/warm-down area. 

 

Tennis and Golf

 

The hotel has asphalt tennis courts and can arrange access to Golf de Feucherolles or Golf de Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche.

 

5. MEETINGS

 

Offering 14,500 sq. ft. of conference facilities, high-speed wireless internet access and audio-visual equipment throughout the hotel plus full-service business center, the hotel is a good venue for meetings. There are two grand ballrooms, including the aforementioned Clemenceau (with its dance floor), and 19 smaller, contemporary meeting salons. The hotel’s regal environment also makes it a good location for board meetings, product launches, weddings and other personal celebrations, including full takeovers.

 

6. GETTING THERE

Orly (ORY) is the closest major international port, about 15 miles from the hotel although there are sometimes customs delays. Le Bourget (LBG), the major private aviation airport serving Paris with multiple FBOs, is about 22 miles and is the port that is recommended as it is set up to handle private aviation. With traffic plan on 40 minutes to an hour for either. Both are restricted 24 hours operations. ORY has a longer runway 11,975 ft. vs. 9,813 ft. at LBG. Villacoublay-Vilizy Air Force Base is 5 miles away (5,948 ft. runway) but Adam Twidell of charter broker PrivateFly tells me you will need to get clearance from the French government to use it. Toussus Le Noble (TNF) is six miles to the south and has a 3,609 ft. runway with limited hours of operation, and sells fuel but does not have an FBO.


7. KEY CONTACT

Gregoire Salamin, General Manager:  +33 (0) 30 84 50 10 or gregoire.salamin@waldorfastoria.com

Trianon Palace, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel

 


Check Out Our Most Popular Special Reports:


Special Report:  Crystal Cruises is taking to the skies with luxury Air Cruises aboard a customized Boeing 777-200LR. You can also charter the plane for your own group.

Four Seasons Maui Maile Presidential Suite 
Special Report:  Perfect for families or honeymooners, Four Seasons Maui unveils two new Presidential Suites.


Special Report:  Villa One and Villa Cortez at One&Only Palmilla in Los Cabos offer two oversize villas at the legendary 5-star resort.


Special Report:  The Peninsula Shanghai offers a wide choice of suites and amazing views.


Special Report:  The Ritz-Carlton Vienna on the Ringstrasse features top suites and a nice rooftop with a bar and also for your private events.





Special Report:  Zurich's Baur au Lac offers a lakeside location and a grand dame experience that has been meticulously maintained.

 

Special Report:  A look at the most spectacular residences and villas at Six Senses’ nine resorts across Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

 

Special Report:  The Brando - See how the famous actor's vision has led to an award-winning private island resort in French Polynesia.

 

Special Report:  Mukul Beach Golf & Spa - A new playground for adventure travel, sport fishing, golf and a unique spa on Nicaragua’s Pacific Coast.



Special Report:  Regent Seven Seas Explorer - Is this the most luxurious ship ever built? Luxury travel advisor Mary Jean Tully gives you an insider tour of the ship and its suites, including the $10,000 per night Master Suite pictured above.

  

Special Report:  The Haven aboard the Norwegian Breakaway - Is it possible to have a luxury experience on one of the world's largest cruise ships?

 

Special Report:  Nihiwatu on Sumba Island in Indonesia offers spa safaris, horseback riding, surfing, diving, fishing and luxury villas in an unspoiled corner of paradise.


Visit our library of previous news and reports from DG Amazing Experiences.


DG Amazing Experiences 
is by luxury expert Doug Gollan

My name is Doug Gollan. I am a strong advocate of the private aviation industry.  You can read my frequent coverage of private jets and luxury travel at  Forbes.com.
 
I've chosen you to receive  DG Amazing Experiences  because I believe you share my passion for both business aviation and the best travel and luxury experiences in the world.
  
DG Amazing Experiences  is your e-newsletter guide to the best places and experiences for private jet travelers like yourself.  Each recommendation is personally selected by me with the help of some of the smartest and best travel advisors in the world.  

My goal is to give you a look ahead at what's new, what's hot, and the best of the best. To make it easy for you, the stories are short, but detailed, and I provide plentiful links to additional, relevant information.

You will know links because they are underlined in red. Where relevant, I provide  email contacts of top travel professionals who will personally answer any questions you might have.  Key contact email addresses are underlined in blue.





If you want to leave us, we are sorry to see you go, but click to Unsubscribe 

Share your feedback to me at douggollan@aol.com

Doug Gollan, LLC
650 West 42nd Street #2212
New York, NY 10036

Direct Mail for Mac This email is powered by Direct Mail for Mac. Learn MoreReport Spam