10 boutique hotels in Paris for a stylish stay in the fashion capital
Packed with personality and their own unique stories, these hotels are perfect for a charming stay in the City of Lights
Paris is a trailblazing city when it comes to good looks ─ it’s the fashion capital of the world, and with such a melting pot of cultures every corner has its own distinct character. This is a place where art, literature, science, romance, music and politics collide to create a mish-mash of styles and there’s simply no space for the bland and the boring. This extends to its boutique hotel offering.
On the Left Bank, Maison Colbert and Hotel Bel Ami both boast literary connections that are recognised in artworks and books at every turn. Hotel Rochechouart epitomises a bohemian in spirit and attracts a local crowd looking for somewhere hip to kick off the weekend. Villa M is particularly interesting. The Philippe Starck-designed interiors pay homage to the neighbourhood’s association with medicine through antique curiosities and vintage laboratory equipment.
Hôtel du Petit Moulin, a former bakery in the upper Marais, has a listed boulangerie shopfront that dates from the 1900s and houses 17 rooms designed by Christian Lacroix. Whether you’re visiting with friends, family or a loved one, there are plenty of boutique hotels in Paris that offer something unique. Here are some of our favourites.
Hotel Les Deux Gares
Hotel Les Deux Gares is set in a part of Paris historically associated with railways ─ between Gare du Nord (Eurostar) and the Gare de l'Est ─ hence the name which translates as ‘two stations’. Inside, the interiors are joyfully maximalist owing to a look created by British interior designer Luke Edward Hall.
Anticipate audaciously bright-green walls, electric-blue velvet sofas and leopard-print tub chairs combined with pinks, forest greens and canary yellows ─ even in the gym.
There’s also a sauna for a post-workout purge and a simple counter area where breakfast can be found (or pop over to the sister cafe across the road). Rooms on the fifth floor have balconies.
Hotel de Sers
Discerning guests, especially those from the world of fashion and finance, will love this smart, quiet and sophisticated base in the 8th arrondissement.
Once the private mansion of the Marquis de Sers with stables and a courtyard dating back to 1880, the Hotel de Sers now offers 52 rooms, an inviting lounge dripping with colour, a low-key bar, lovely spa, and an outside terrace for when the weather is warm.
The restful rooms promise a good night’s sleep with squishy beds dressed in luxury linens; most come with views over the courtyard. It’s close to the Champs-Elysées and River Seine and within walking distance of the Arc de Triomphe, Trocadéro Gardens and Eiffel Tower.
Hotel du Petit Moulin
Set in a former bakery in the upper Marais, one of the oldest parts of Paris, Hôtel du Petit Moulin is where lovers of haute couture, design and fashion come to bed down. Strings to its unique bow include 17 rooms designed by Christian Lacroix and the now-listed original Boulangerie shopfront (from 1900) with its original ornate decoration.
Expect lots of colour and drama throughout, from the Miro-esque wall panelling in the bar to the zebra-striped fabrics and murals in boudoir-like rooms. Staff are enthusiastic, and breakfast can be delivered to your room for that extra home-from-home feeling.
Maison Colbert
A wonderful boutique sanctuary in the heart of Paris that lures fans of art, literature and history looking to get under the skin of the Left Bank. The look is predominantly Art Deco elegance interestingly mixed with reproductions of high society portraits and impressionist art by Joaquín Sorolla at every turn.
While there’s no spa, gym or restaurant (Maison Colbert is a boutique hotel after all) guests can expect a pretty courtyard cafe, relaxed breakfasts with a complimentary glass of cava, and 39 comfortable rooms in a setting that boasts connections to the French author and feminist pioneer Simone de Beauvoir (1908-86) who penned two books when she lived here.
Villa M
You can’t miss design-hotel Villa M’s striking plant-festooned glass facade on leafy Boulevard Pasteur. The hotel lives and breathes health and wellness but with a scientific edge.
Interiors by Philippe Starck feature shelves stuffed with medical curiosities and books while walls are lined with photos of French physicians next to displays of vintage laboratory equipment.
The neighbourhood has a long association with medicine and it’s this character that has been drawn upon. Rooms are welcoming, with warm tones, natural woods and colourful rugs. There’s a fitness centre with boxing, and a pretty rooftop bar and restaurant serving French food.
Hotel Rochechouart
Not too far from sights like the Basilica Sacré-Cœur and Square Louise Michel, Hotel Rochechouart attracts the trend-conscious set looking for a more authentic side to the city.
The look and feel of this Montmartre marvel is bohemian in spirit with elegant Art Deco influences ─ evident in the brasserie with its Roaring Twenties-style design and well-appointed rooms which combine greens, browns and terracottas with wood, brass and marble features.
A fun crowd magnetises towards this Parisian enclave ─ join them by kicking your evening off at the restaurant before heading down to the nightclub (during winter) or up to the small rooftop bar (in summer).
Chouchou Hotel
Everything you need to know about Chouchou Hotel is in its name: ‘little darling’. In the 9th arrondissement, the Chouchou enjoys an elegant location just off Boulevard Haussmann and its arrangement of designer boutiques and brasseries. The thing that sets this boutique bolthole apart is the handful of three private baths in the basement which are a romantic win for couples.
Regular events are held on the small stage at Guinguette which features a bar and plenty of space for socialising and working, while the restaurant is the spot for authentic French fare. There are 60 rooms with plump beds.
Hotel Bel Ami
On the Left Bank between the River Seine and boulevard Saint-Germain, the elegant Hotel Bel Ami is a smart option for those who love a literary connection: it was named after an 1885 novel by Guy de Maupassant and has a collection point for donated books in the lobby ─ which is suitably dressed up with art, fashion and travel books (also visible in the lounges and breakfast room).
There’s a small spa for post-sightseeing massages, a little cafe serving French cuisine along the lines of foie gras and beef bourguignon, and a bar for creative cocktails. Rooms are stylish; go for a street-facing option in the deluxe category.
Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain
In the heart of Saint Germain, an arty district full of galleries, antique shops and cafés to tick off, Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain is ideal for couples seeking an authentic romantic break in Paris.
Highlights include a spa with plunge pool and hammam, a chic brasserie serving creatively presented French fare, and contemporary rooms with beds you want to dive into after a busy day on foot.
Stylistic details that linger in the memory include silk patterned walls, floors adorned in geometric tiling or plush carpet, lots of marble and wood, and bold coloured walls offset with gold accents. The Louvre is 10 minutes on foot; Notre Dame, 20 minutes.
Hotel Montalembert
An intimate hotel with a prestigious Left Bank postcode that instantly makes you feel at home. Since 1926 Hotel Montalembert has been welcoming well-heeled guests from all over the world who come for the 50 well-appointed rooms, calm atmosphere, attentive service and location.
It’s in the 7th arrondissement meaning all the main sights like the Louvre, Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame are within 25 minutes’ walk, and the surrounding streets bustle with moneyed shoppers weaving in and out of high end stores and antique shops. Inside, original period features that make the hotel stand-out include tiny lifts and a marble staircase.
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