Barbie was never exactly slumming it. From the Dream House to the Corvette, to the Mattel-inspired designer clothes, shoes, jewelry and handbags, Barbie has it all. Even after 50 years, Barbie still has a hot guy who, despite her cute friends and brief stint with the The Rockers, has remained completely devoted to her (although some of us still have our suspicions of Ken, but that's not the point). And as if that wasn't enough, now Barbie has her own suite at the Hotel Plaza Athenee in Paris. *SEE PHOTOS BELOW*
The Plaza Athenee opened in 1911 and is known worldwide as one of the most decadent and divine hotels in Paris. The hotel itself is a gleaming gem with endless crystal chandeliers, tall vases of blooming flowers, and ornate artwork and furnishings. Situated on Avenue Montaigne, the hotel's neighbors include famous friends like Dior, Chloe, Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Valentino and Bulgari. Can Barbie hang with such royal crowd? And what's she doing here, anyway? Maybe she needs a break from Ken. Maybe she's finally ready to spend her millions from Mattel on some serious fashion. Or, maybe she's trying to give Carrie Bradshaw a run for her money and make Plaza Athenee well-known for something other than where the "Sex And The City" star stayed with "The Russian." Whatever the reason, this summer Barbie is back in Paris and by the looks of things, it's going to get a little wild - and very pink.
This August, Hotel Plaza Athenee is offering Barbie fanatics a chance to stay in the Barbie suite and live our their Barbie fantasies. But it's not only the girls that get to have fun. The hotel is also hosting a Hot Wheels room for boys; an entire suite is decorated in flames, cars and tracks, perfect for any car-obsessed kid (or possibly, an excuse for Ken to take off at a moment's notice when he realizes Barbie is getting a little too friendly with Bulgari). It's not the first time a hotel has dressed up for a fan favorite.
Last year, we took you inside New York's The Plaza Hotel for an exclusive look at the Eloise Suite, a throwback to the lovable and mischievous cartoon character who lived at The Plaza and consistently found herself in the way of anything and anybody. In Paris, Seven Hotel offers themed rooms for adults who wish to live out their childhood fantasies. The Alice in Wonderland Suite (starting at 485 Euro a night) comes complete with his and her toilets separated by a chess set, mushrooms growing from bed quilts, jumbo stopwatches scattered around the walls, and some serious psychedelic lighting. The 007 Room (also from 485 Euro a night) has James Bond themed furniture, a collection of 007 movies, an en-suite hammam, a gun-shaped lamp and golden padded chairs. But can Alice and James hold a candle to Barbie?
On a recent visit to Paris, I stopped into the Hotel Plaza Athenee to get a sneak peek of what's inside our favorite cover girl's room, and what lies ahead for the little girl's who one day dream of having it all... just like Barbie.
Hotel Plaza Athenee
This August, Hotel Plaza Athenee is offering Barbie fanatics a chance to stay in the Barbie suite and live our their Barbie fantasies. But it's not only the girls that get to have fun.