Image courtesy of Relais Christine
I love a boutique hotel moment, especially in Paris (hidden courtyards, eclectic interior design, views of the Eiffel Tower...the works).
At these hotels, you’ll mingle with très chic locals and, dare I say, start to feel like one yourself. Read on for a few of my favorite boutique hotels in Paris, from a chic Right-Bank hideaway to a luxe gem in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
Hôtel Montalembert
Image courtesy of Hôtel Montalembert
The Left Bank’s first five-star hotel combines modern design with French sophistication. Its 50 rooms are cozy, sleek and bright, with thoughtful details like Carrara marble, designer silk curtains and handsome wood furnishings. Plus, it’s within walking distance of the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay, and serves as the perfect (and stylish) home base for exploring Paris’s unmissable attractions.
After a day of exploring, nurse a craft cocktail in front of the fireplace in the hotel library. Then, head to dinner at the refined Restaurant du Montalembert. Even better, check out Le Spa at Hôtel Bel Ami, Hôtel Montalembert’s sister property, another Left-Bank luxury hotel. And because Fora is a part of the B Signature Diamond Club, when you book with me, you'll unlock exclusive perks.
Fora Perks:
$100 food / beverage credit.
Welcome amenity.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade whenever possible.
Château Voltaire
Les Jardins des Tuileries
Thierry Gillier, the owner of the fashion brand Zadig&Voltaire, is the ultra-stylish mastermind behind this five-star retreat, tucked away on the charming Rue Saint-Roch, a short walk away from the Jardins des Tuileries. And his impeccable taste shows: the hotel's design is understated, modern, undeniably chic and just the right amount of elegant.
End your day with a locally sourced meal in a relaxed but sleek setting at Château Voltaire's Brasserie l'Emil. And don't miss a nightcap at its handsome, moody bar, La Coquille d'Or. Late night? Not to worry: in the morning, you can sweat it all out in the hotel's sauna.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit.
Welcome amenity.
Upgrade & late check-out whenever possible.
Relais Christine
Image courtesy of Relais Christine
Relais Christine’s prime location in the heart of the chic 6th arrondissement cannot be beat. From here, you can easily access the Latin Quarter, the Louvre Museum (and its Jardins des Tuileries), the Jardin de Luxembourg, Notre Dame and some of the City of Light’s best shopping.
The hotel (a member of Relais & Châteaux, no less) sits amid a gated courtyard on a quiet street, across from a local cinema club. Expect bold colors, marble fireplaces, wooden floors, more funky wallpaper (always a plus) and design surprises everywhere you turn. The gym, even, is beautiful: work up a sweat in a stone-walled room with 13th-century vaulted ceilings before hopping in the sauna. (Check out more of the best hotel gyms.)
Looking to hop the Seine and explore the Right Bank? Relais Christine’s sister property, Saint James, is a fantastic option for a château moment in the 16th arrondissement.
Fora Perks:
Special welcome.
Breakfast daily.
Hôtel Le Grand Mazarin
This design hotel, in the heart of Le Marais, is slated to open this year. And I am counting down the days. The bespoke decor is the work of the London-based designer Martin Brudnizki, who drew upon the Marais’ rich artistic and literary heritage. In keeping with the hotel’s playful eccentricity, the restaurant, Boubalé, will be helmed by the team behind some of the city’s most innovative (and fun) restaurants — namely, Shabour (a must) and Balagan, a high-energy hotspot that has since closed, to the dismay of many loyal patrons. Oh, and did I mention the hotel will have a swimming pool? I'm already packed.
In the meantime, check out more of the best hotel swimming pools.
Hôtel Amour
Hôtel Amour, in the up-and-coming 9th arrondissement, sits between Pigalle and Montmartre, two neighborhoods bustling with youthful energy and a très cool vibe. A different color animates each floor, and contemporary art can be found throughout.
Guest rooms come equipped with antiques, plant-covered walls, more art and, depending on the room, a disco ball. The hotel’s garden is a favorite among locals for a leisurely brunch. Plus, it’s a short walk away from Sacré-Coeur, where you’ll enjoy some of the best views in Paris. Hôtel Amour is, in a word, fun. I love its playful spirit, accessible pricing and undeniable local feel.