A Conversation with Daniel Wilms of Kimpton St Honoré Paris

Images courtesy of Kimpton St Honoré

There’s no shortage of places to stay in Paris, but you can’t go wrong with the Kimpton St Honoré, a relative newcomer to Paris’ hotel scene — and our top-booked in the city. 

We recently sat down with the hotel’s Director of Sales, Daniel Wilms, who recalled how the hotel opened around the same time that Fora launched. Fora’s Co-Founder Henley Vazquez was among the first people to visit.  

“It has been a joint upward trajectory ever since,” he said. “The business we receive from Fora is growing every year. In 2024, we expect Fora to be our number-one luxury agency worldwide.”

But it’s no surprise why our community loves the Kimpton St Honoré. The hotel is playful and luxurious, laid-back and refined. Plus, its location on the famed Rue Saint-Honoré means it’s steps away from luxury department stores, Les Jardins des Tuileries, Le Palais Garnier and other gems in Paris’ city center. Daniel highlighted the property’s location as one of its main draws.

“Kimpton St Honoré Paris is definitely the perfect choice for those seeking to [experience] Paris as insiders,” he said, adding how it’s “ideally located to visit the city by foot.”

Daniel shared insider details about what sets the Parisian gem apart, and elaborated on the importance of agency partners like Fora.

A local haunt

Image courtesy of Kimpton St Honoré

It’s always a good sign when locals flock to a hotel, and such is the case for Kimpton St Honoré. Daniel cited the hotel’s “modern, chic and elegant aesthetic,” in addition to its happening bars and restaurants, as top reasons the property is a veritable destination for locals and travelers alike. 

Fora Advisor Sara Wilcox, our top Kimpton St Honoré booker, noted that you can see the Eiffel Tower, Opéra and Sacre Coeur from the hotel’s Sequoia Rooftop Bar, making it the perfect place to unwind from a day of touring. Fora Advisor Sam Dwinell, another top booker, agrees, adding how the bar “steals the show,” especially in the summer months. 

Travelers should also check out the hotel’s restaurant, Montecito Paris, which serves California-inspired cuisine in a leafy, airy space bedecked with a greenery-filled wall.

But the hotel’s true hidden gem, Daniel says, is its Codage spa, “a bubble of pure R&R.”

There’s an indoor heated swimming pool covered in luxury Bisazza tiles, colored a soothing gray-green or shimmering white. Relax in the steam room and sauna before retreating to your “Nordic-chic” treatment room for massage or facial. (The MyCodage products are masterful, Daniel said, and the company “perpetuates French pharmaceutical compounding savoir-faire.”)

The hotel is awash with special touches: electric bikes for exploring the city, pet-friendly services and Kimpton’s Plant Pals Program, which allows for a potted plant to be delivered directly to your room. It’s also great for families, Sara stressed, with spacious rooms (especially by Parisian standards) and apartment-sized options. But the human connection is ultimately what gives the hotel its unique, warm and fun atmosphere. 

Sara agrees, and said that the staff and service are its “shining stars.” Sam recounted how the staff have helped curate romantic escapes for her newlywed clients, put together kid snacks for her family travelers and recommended excellent restaurants for her foodie clientele.

“We aim to create ridiculously personal experiences merging French authenticity, five-star service and a more contemporary spirit,” Daniel said.

Onward & upward

Image courtesy of Kimpton St Honoré

Daniel said he loves how both his team and Fora understand that luxury can mean different things to different people. It can be a big-name hotel, or something more lifestyle-oriented and boutique, like the Kimpton St Honoré. 

“Fora Advisors have that unique understanding of recommending the right property for the right client,” Daniel said. 

And our advisors frequently recommend Kimpton St Honoré, where “travelers and habitués mingle in a relaxed yet chic atmosphere.”

“This is my go-to property in Paris for clients that want historical luxury at an accessible price,” Sam said.

Daniel added that he’s been impressed by our advisors’ use of technology and data-driven approach to recommendations. (This tech-forward approach is largely enabled by our Advisor Portal and integrated booking platform.)

“The tech-driven approach has revolutionized the way advisors educate themselves,” Daniel said, “and we can see the benefits on our end daily.”

While we certainly value technology, we value community even more, as does Daniel.

“The most impressive accolade for me is, however, the company culture of Fora,” he shared. “The agency is so great to work with and everyone is so positive and professional.”

Indeed, Kimpton St Honoré is special among our community, which can be attributed to our similar ages (we’re something like siblings), as well as to our mutually beneficial and fun partnership. 

“Their unwavering dedication to providing exceptional travel experiences has significantly enriched our journeys and created unforgettable memories,” Daniel said of Fora Advisors and their guidance. “Kimpton & Fora is a success story.”