When considering which European city to visit, Paris, famous for its art galleries, restaurants, the beauty of the local population, high fashion, scenery dripping with iconic romanticism, people watching and nightlife, is hard to go past.

As winter sets in, a romantic getaway may be just the thing to keep your fire burning and if you’re after some pampering, it is impossible to go wrong if your chosen accommodation promises to combine style, a central location, glorious views and the words Paris and Hilton. The Hilton Arc de Triomphe, Paris does just this.

Location, location, location

The hotel, which is not surprisingly positioned just minutes from the Arc de Triomphe itself and the Champs Elysees, is a chic extension of the city’s attractions. As lovely as it was to arrive in the streets of Paris for a weekend away, it felt just as satisfyingly Parisian to check in to the hotel.

The Hilton’s lush array of rooms are bedecked with Art Deco inspired interiors and views of the Eiffel tower and general splendour of Paris rooftops do little to detract from the charm. The hotel prides itself on the quality of its fabulous outdoor restaurant and bar in the Andalusian patio, the service was always friendly no matter what hour it was required, and then there’s the spa. This is perhaps the greatest luxury that the hotel has to offer. During two whirlwind days in France’s capital, it was the Spa Mosaïc Decleor & Carita which dominates a floor of the hotel that satisfied all our clichéd expectations of how indulgent it could be to stay in a great hotel in Paris.

Life of luxury

He says:
It has been altogether too long since I was treated like royalty. The last time I had help on hand to cater to my every whim 24 hours a day I was two years old. In the intervening 26 years I have felt something was missing in my life. I rediscovered that something in the basement of the Hilton Arc de Triomphe wrapped in plastic, smothered in oil and wearing a paper g-string.

At the Spa Mosaïc at the Hilton I was greeted by a gaggle of attendants, poured into a soft white robe and a paper g-string and taken first to recline in the beautiful spa (pictured above), before being ushered to my room by my masseuse. Having been called upon to select from an exhaustive menu of treatments I felt quite exhausted. What I chose was a body wrap, which involves huge sheets of plastic and about a bottle and a half of oil. Midway through my head rub, I violated the one of the primary rules of journalism and accidentally fell asleep, but only for a minute or two.

The oils used in all treatments at the Mosaïc spa come from Decléor, a Parisian company specialising in aromatherapy oils and Carita who produce massage oils. The Decléor oil used on my legs made them feel cold and buzzing - a peculiar sensation which my masseuse assured me was caused by the circulation-enhancing qualities of the oil. After I was unwrapped I showered and was given a final all-over massage before being returned to the spa to relax – a superb experience.

She says:
The spa offers a variety of treatments from facials and massages to hydro-tonic baths, each one taking you to a higher and rarer level of decadence. You may also opt to have waxing, manicures, hydrotherapy or the intriguing sounding mommy-to-be-treatment.

Your masseuse will adjust her approach and the pressure she uses to your taste. You may also request music, lighting or temperature to be changed, though I think they pitched it right with a warm, candle-lit room with chill out playing gently in the background.

My massage of choice was an aromatherapy treatment and the relaxation provided was so intense that I was barely able to focus on the Monet lilies and Cezanne landscapes that were my designated subjects of interest for the rest of the afternoon. The only problem with the Hilton spa is that you may well be tempted to focus your stay around your time at the hotel, rather than Paris itself.

In brief

Quality of experience Flawless, excellent facilities and an enormous selection of treatments available.

Ambience Indian-themed luxury. Beautiful surrounds and total attention to detail.

Food Lemon water, and a selection of teas available in the spa. The hotel restaurant offers superb French food and an extensive wine list

In crowd Corporate types, Lamborghini drivers, young couples, and middle-aged women.

Wallet watch A room for two will cost you between £275 and £600 depending on how luxurious you want your stay to be. Spa treatments start from around £25, and approach £100 for the more extensive treatments.

Need to know The Hilton Arc du Triomphe (+33 (0) 1 58 36 67 00; www.hilton-paris.com/arcdetriomphe, www.spamosaic.com)

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