The €30 Martini

It has been widely reported  that the recession has dampened the popularity of splurging on high ticket items (or at least openly boasting about such purchases) and many affluents believe that the best way to weather the global recession is to indulge in life’s little luxuries (see our earlier blog item about mini-indulgences). And so it appears that the affluent are still spending…but on what?

I make an annual sojourn to the city of lights, and while there, I love to see what’s new in retailing, food, culture – and especially the hotel scene. It can’t be helped. Over the years we have represented a number of hotels in the city, such as the Hotel Bristol, Le Grand Hotel and the InterContinental Paris – and I love to observe what has changed and how the hospitality panorama has evolved.

Years ago, my husband and I stayed at the Ritz Hotel in Paris, and it was suggested by a friend and long time resident of Paris to return. She said that the Hemingway Bar there is not to be missed for the ambiance and people watching. The bar did not disappoint: it was worthy of the great man himself– intimate, clubby wood paneling and historic photographs placed strategically around the room. And I wasn’t the only one – the bar was buzzing with leisure travelers and businessmen alike. I set about ordering my favorite drink – no need to look at the bar menu, it’s always a classic martini. It was served  in a large, perfectly chilled martini glass, complete with a white rose held in place by a toothpick on the side of the glass. A lovely touch. I savored my drink and asked for the bill – 30 Euros. It was also interesting to see that the bar menu has arrived at Paris’ traditional hotels. The bartender offered me hamburger sliders (4) for 19 Euros, a “bargain” if your usual burger is one of Kobe beef.

P.S. I also checked out Mama Shelter, the new budget hotel concept by the founders of Club Med. It’s rather out of the way in the 20th arrondissement, but for all of you hotel junkies, it’s definitely worth a visit to see its highly original, low cost design.

By: Karen Weiner Escalera