Guests are greeted by name and Thibault, the concierge, ensures no request remains unanswered. Ballet bar and Swiss balls, the well-equipped gym, with Technogym machines is accessible 24 hours. Spa Thala (open 7am to 9.30pm), named after the beautiful Italian pink marble underfoot, features a hammam, sauna and bubbly whirlpool.

Fifty large rooms bathe in a bewitching beauty. The white moulded ceilings from the late 19th century alone are glaring, while earthy contemporary ceramics and chintzy 1920s gold clocks sit together on decorative marble fireplaces. Modern herringbone parquet in pale Hungarian oak and floor-length drapes with a jazzy palm frond-motif by Pierre Frey set the stage for bijou Juliette balcony with romantic table-for-two or, in some suites, a sweeping terrace with Eiffel Tower views.

The bar, an elegant powder-matte pink space off the lobby with soft lighting, serves a great choice of French champagnes by small producers. Accompanying black truffle-spiced cashew nuts are irresistible.