I Flew 3,800 Miles For The Perfect Night’s Sleep (And Found It At The Ritz Paris) – Essence

If you’re one of those people that travels and doesn’t value where you lay your head at night because “we won’t be in the room that much,” please believe me when I say: you are not the travel partner for me.

I live for a nice hotel moment, and in my opinion, it’s one of the most essential parts of the travel experience. Because I’m going to always ask: How many stars does it have? Is it centrally located? What do the reviews say? What’s the dining like on property? And most importantly — what is the room like?

With that said, I’ve woken up in plenty of hotel rooms across five continents (with hopes of one day making it to all seven), but nothing—and I mean absolutely nothing—prepared me for how I felt opening my eyes at the Ritz Paris. 

That first morning was essentially me waking up in confusion by what I just experienced. (After the initial questions of: Where am I? What day is it?) followed by the realization that yes, I was still in Paris, and yes, I’d likely just gotten the best sleep that I had had in years. And it was well overdue and needed.

Let’s be real: when you’re dropping a pretty penny on a 5-star hotel, you expect luxury. It’s almost a given at that point. But what you don’t necessarily expect is to have your entire relationship with sleep fundamentally altered. But that’s exactly what happened during my stay at this iconic property in the heart of Paris’s 1st arrondissement. And it wasn’t just the sleep that made my visit so spectacular, it was everything the hotel had to offer.

The perfect Paris base.

The Ritz Paris is centrally located within Place Vendôme, positioning its hotel guests at the epicenter of everything that is quintessentially Paris. The Louvre? About an eight-minute walk. The boutiques of Rue Saint-Honoré? Practically at your doorstep (and sadly, my credit card was way too acquainted during this visit). The Tuileries Garden? Just across the way. This strategic location eliminates the constant back-and-forth commuting that can drain the joy from a Parisian adventure.

And I have to mention that Place Vendôme is not just convenient, it’s absolutely stunning (and Insta-worthy). Once you step outside the hotel’s famous doors, you’ll find yourself right in the middle of one of the most stunning squares in Europe. Walking through this square feels like walking through history books, except with better shopping.

Architectural excellence that tells stories.

Following a four-year, $450 million renovation completed in 2016, the Ritz Paris still manages to honor its history while also introducing modern necessities. The renovation preserved the hotel’s soul while ensuring it functions flawlessly for contemporary travelers (like myself).

The lobby still features its signature imperial gold and cream palette, featuring crystal chandeliers that have witnessed decades of history. The famous Bar Hemingway also remains largely untouched—as it should be. Etched into history forever, this is where Ernest Hemingway himself declared the bar “liberated” from Nazi occupation in 1944 (reportedly ordering 51 dry martinis for everyone present).

Culinary experiences that can’t be beat.

The Ritz Paris has multiple dining venues, each completely different from the next (and all must be experienced at some point during your visit). The Michelin star Espadon offers refined French cuisine from chef Eugénie Béziat and boy oh boy is this place a hit. After spending time growing up in Africa and Provence, the dishes are a reflection of the chef’s experiences, each dish serving as an artistic expression that still delivers great flavors.

For a different experience, Salon Proust serves an afternoon tea that completes any bougie Parisian vacay. Named after the novelist who was a hotel regular, this space transforms the British tradition into something distinctly French with madeleines (Proust’s favorite) and pastries. After 6pm, this place turns into a champagne bar, so that you can keep the vibes going well into the early evening.

But the true culinary jewel might be Bar Vendôme, where the terrace becomes one of Paris’s most sought-after spots. Here, classic bistro fare receives the Ritz treatment—simple dishes executed with exceptional ingredients and technical precision. The menu, which features a full selection of caviar options (which I delighted in), as well as classic Parisian brasserie, there’s sure to be something for every palate. 

Life-changing rest.

Like I said, the sleep experience here deserves its own recognition. So much so, that I’m considering upgrading my mattress and bedding to some of the hotel’s signature bedding (hotels typically have this as an option, if you didn’t know). The custom-made beds combine traditional craftsmanship with ergonomic design and the mattress itself was a perfect balance between feeling like I’m floating on a cloud and actually getting proper back support (for those over 30, if you know you know). Just what I need to get a blissful night’s rest.

The bedding deserves special mention: firstly, because they engrave your initials into the pillowcases, which is not only the classiest thing I’ve ever seen a hotel do, but also such a special touch that really left a remarkable impression on me. Secondly, the sheets had a thread count so high they felt like butter against my skin as I settled in each night, and the down duvets weighted perfectly to create a feeling of security without heaviness. 

Perhaps what led to the best part of the sleep is the room’s sound engineering. Despite its central location, the rooms maintain an almost supernatural silence, which we all know can make or break your experience if you’re centered near guests that tend to be on the noisier side. Here, you don’t even have to worry about it.

The price of perfection.

With rooms starting around €2,700 per night and suites that are double (or even triple) that amount, the Ritz Paris is obviously a significant investment. Is it worth it? That depends entirely on what you value, and if “Black girl luxury” is something you desire.

Like I stated above, if you see accommodations as simply a place to sleep between your Parisian itinerary, perhaps not. But if you believe the hotel should be an integral part (if not thee most important) of the travel experience, then the Ritz Paris delivers value that extends far beyond its hefty price tag.

Final thoughts.

I’m still thinking about that sleep. And the only downside of flying across the world for this experience? It sadly isn’t something I’ll get to experience every night (but this year, I’m surely going to try). I’ve researched mattress toppers and pillows, adjusted my bedroom temperature, and plan to invest in better sheets—all in hopes of recreating the Ritz sleep experience I got while in Paris.

And while I may never be able to fully recreate that perfect night’s sleep in my own bedroom, this stay serves as a perfect reminder of why we travel in the first place: to experience something extraordinary (like the perfect night’s rest), even if only temporarily.