VERSAILLES: The Sun King

Louis XIV, aka the Sun King, is my favorite icon of European Royalty, and after a week of exploring Paris, I ventured to Versailles (about a 45 minute private car ride) to see where King Louis XIV himself once lived. Oh la la! Here is the BEST way to experience Versailles. You must stay at the Waldorf Astoria-Trianon Palace. Its' gorgeous grounds are snuggled up right next to the Versailles palace gardens. Upon arriving our room was not ready so we had a delightful lunch in the outdoor seating of the restaurant. It feels nothing other than royal! You can almost smell the money. The only miss was not being offered a purse stool for my newly purchased Chanel bag. Trust me she deserves her own seat!

But, back inside the Waldorf-Astoria, the hotel reasserted her five-star luxury self. The service is top-notch and attentive, and the rooms (rather large by European standards) were well-appointed and comfortable. Our room had a small balcony with a view of the grounds, and it was perfect for viewing the impromptu fireworks display one night. We also enjoyed dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner at La Veranda, a delightful brasserie. Don't miss breakfast for some ridiculous patisserie and sumptuous meal options. It's a perfect way to fuel up for your tour of Versailles.

The best part about staying at the Waldorf-Astoria-Trianon Palace is that your private guide picks you up at the front door of the hotel and walks you through the palace gardens, and right up to the palace. A private tour is the way to go for sure. We skipped the line (it was LONG) and were able to see private rooms that group tours or those visiting on their own do not have access to. We even stood in the palace chapel by ourselves, while other people were roped off in a queue, giving us private time to explore the chapel up close and personal. There was no rush and we felt like celebrities. Viator was the tour group we used and I highly recommend them. After our private tour, our guide took us in to town for lunch. Remember, in much of France many restaurants close between around 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm so plan time for lunch appropriately. We were a little late for lunch but our local tour guide took us to a restaurant of a friend of his who opened up his establishment just for us. We sat outside and enjoyed a relaxing long lunch before heading back to the hotel for our spa treatment. My massage at the Waldorf Astoria-Trianon Palace was one of the best of my life. (I have had a ton of massages all over the world). Then dinner at the hotel and back to Paris. Between the private tour and the stay at the Waldorf Astoria, we channeled the Sun King for a Versailles 5 Star luxury visit of a lifetime.