Hotel Raphael-casual or stuffy
 

Purchased at auction a suite at reasonable price. Concerned about dress at dinner in the hotel restaurant, casual or coat & tie?
Also any other info would be appreciated. Hate to pack a suit ot jacket.

Which Raphael are you talking about? The one in Rome comes to mind, but I don't recall their restaurant serving dinner.

Sorry, Raphael in Paris.

Hello jerwick,
What time of year are you planning on taking your trip? My wife and I stayed at the hotel for our honeymoon this past August. The Hotel was wonderful. Clean, beautiful, great staff and wonderful restaurants. To me, the Hotel was not stuffy at all, but it depends on your interpretation of stuffy. It is a 5 star hotel by American standards (French hotel ratings don't have 5 stars). It is more upscale then a much lower price hotel, but we were not treated any differently by the staff when we were dressed up to go out for dinner or had on jeans and a t-shirt and were just going out to explore Paris. There are two restaraunts at the Raphael (one only open during the spring and summer months). Le Salle a Manger inside the hotel is a very nice, upscale restaurant. Food was wonderful. We were dress up for dinner, suit and tie, but saw other guest of the hotel come down for dinner in Kakis and a polo shirt. The roof top restaurant Jardin Plein Ciel is a little more casual and is absolutly beautiful. The hotel sits between the Tour de Eifel and the Arc deTriomph in the 16th so the views from the roof are wonderful. If you happen to be going in the spring or summer e-mail the concierge (you can do this through the hotel web site www.raphael-hotel.com )and make a reservation on the Eifel Tower side at sunset. You won't be disappointed. Basically you will feel comfortable in this hotel as long as you are dressed nice. Have a great trip.

We are going to be in Paris April 1 to 7. Have been before in summer and in fall, so looking forward to spring. Thanks for the info. Sounds as if I have to decide on coat, tie or not. Have a reservation at the restaurant as part of my trip.

dthntny wrote
>..Le Salle a Manger inside the hotel is a very nice, upscale restaurant. Food was wonderful. ....saw other guest of the hotel come down for dinner in Kakis and a polo shirt. <

I hope that this was the only time that this was attempted, and that said guest was properly attired the next time.

Degas, that wasn't you was it?

It's been a while since I stayed there (and LOVED it) but thought you'd like to know this hotel is/was popular with the movie crowd (John Malkovich was staying there while I was last there). If that's still the case, they're used to all types of dress. The place <i>feels</i> formal (amazing antiques everywhere you look) but is not nearly as formal/fancy as other hotels I've been in (the Meurice comes to mind-very stuck up IMO &amp; not as nice). You'll love it.