Checking in to La Fantaisie

Located on Rue de Cadet, La Fantaisie is described as a ‘garden in the heart of Paris’. It opened in 2023, but the inspiration behind the hotel goes way back. So, before I get into my hotel review, let’s time travel.

It’s the 16th century. Paris is the largest city in Europe and the Renaissance is ushering in a new age of art, culture and commerce. Parisian Master Gardeners Jean and Jacque Cadet spot a street full of rubbish and decay and have a vision. They want to revitalise it by transforming it into a market garden. The rubbish is replaced with garden beds, and they grow fruit and vegetables. Years later, the street is memorialized in Jean and Jacques name, becoming Rue de Cadet.

Today, La Fantaisie memorialises the history of this market street through the interior design. On arrival, I opened the entrance lobby doors and was immersed in a spring-time palette of vivid greens, pinks and yellows. The ceiling and columns are clad in a leafy green tapestry fabric, bringing the garden inside. Whimsical shaped furniture and Murano glass lights, characteristic of MDBS, create an atmosphere of joy. In a conversation with Martin Brudnizki he said he “introduced these natural elements into the scheme to ground the property to its location whilst providing a revitalising and restful escape to both tourists and locals using the amenities.”

Image credit: Jerome Galland / La Fantaisie

The hotel has 63 rooms and 10 suites, a café, restaurant, roof top bar and spa. Each floor is inspired by the bucolic garden and Martin notes: “is a representation of ever-growing greenery where the floral motifs become elaborate. From intricate mosaic seedling design, to a crescendo of florals at the rooftop.” The concept is expressed across the senses, from the sounds of birds chirping in the elevator lifts, to revitalising treatments in the spa, to fresh, vibrant and healthy dining options in the café and restaurant.

Image credit: Jerome Galland / La Fantaisie

I stayed at La Fantasie during Paris Design Week, in January 2025, and as an interior designer, with a busy studio of my own, my eye picks up on details. I was impressed by the level of detail and design commitment woven into the interiors — from the unique furniture shapes and careful selection of fabrics and trims, to the meticulous detailing of joinery and luscious selection of wall coverings. The hotel also has an impressive collection of original art. Being January, I appreciated how ‘bright’ the hotel felt—it was refreshing contrast to the bleak wintery weather.

Image credit: Jerome Galland / La Fantaisie

I was booked into the entry level Comfort Room, with a view to the garden. Despite being a modest 20 square metres, it felt luxurious and was comfortable for a couple of nights in the city. It had everything you would expect from a modern hotel, from wireless phone charging points built into the bedside tables, to a small writing table to work on, and enough storage to properly empty my suitcase. I also enjoyed the mini bar—with healthy snacks and useful items to boost my wellness routine like CBD lip balm and a tongue scraper.

Image credit: Jerome Galland / La Fantaisie

Suite Terrace is the top suite in the hotel. I had a tour, and it is stunning. What makes it unique is the large private terrace that runs along one side of the suite, bringing in lots of natural light. As a bath-tub enthusiast, the deep freestanding bath sitting beside a floor to ceiling window overlooking the terrace, caught my eye. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a busy day in Paris.

Shortly after checking into my room, I had a massage at the Spa. Being pregnant, I was delighted that they offered pregnancy specific treatments. The treatment was very good. And when I went back up to my hotel room, a pregnancy pillow was laid out on my bed. I found the hotel service incredibly thoughtful.

Image credit: Jerome Galland / La Fantaisie

On my second evening, I dined in the hotel restaurant, the Golden Poppy by French Chef Dominique Crenn. A painted timber lattice ceiling, bright yellow ticking wallpaper, ‘Parisian style’ café chairs and large indoor plants adorn the room. MDBS incorporated Crenn’s cooking ethos into the design: “playing to Dominique’s organic culinary exploration, whimsical and colourful wallcoverings drawn by Adam Ellis embellish the walls depicting fruit and root vegetables.” Crenn refers to herself as an artist, and the dishes certainly express this—beautifully and delicately plated, and bursting with fresh flavours.

Is La Fantaisie worth it? Yes. It’s a delightful experience full of whimsy, colour and vitality. In the winter months, the palette will brighten your mood — and in the summer, the large terrace garden and roof top patio will come alive and creating an enchanting Parisian experience.

Main image credit: Jerome Galland / La Fantaisie