A designer’s guide to boutique hotels in Paris

While some city breaks are about soaring skyline views where the bigger-the-hotel-the-better philosophy might apply, Paris is most definitely the city of the bijoux and the boutique. With no shortage of the proverbial hidden gem, it is worth doing a little designer research to find the right place in the right quartier that has that magic combination of location and interior inspiration.

Le Grand Mazarin

Image credit: Maisons Pariente / Le Grand Mazarin

Kicking off this boutique bucket list is the latest addition to the Maisons Pariente portfolio, Le Grand Mazarin, perfectly located just a stone’s throw from the Hôtel de Ville and the Seine. The hotel is both unexpected and endearing, a place that reflects the values of Maisons Pariente, through an original hotel story with an exceptional location. Le Marais is a lively and avant-garde district, sparkling with creativity, vibrant by day and by night, the district represents the art of living joyfully. Taking its lead from the location, inspired and elegant, the décor and interior design is by the Swedish designer Martin Brudnizki. Le Grand Mazarin is all about traditional French classicism with a breath of fresh and refined modernity.

Hôtel Rochechouart

A boutique brand that is as Parisian as the Eiffel tower, is Orso, which, despite opening its first property five days before lockdown in 2020, has gone from strength to strength and now has an impressive seven boutique hotels under its belt. The first property in the portfolio, Hôtel Rochechouart, remains the flagship, but each additional hotel is unique and clearly rooted in its location. Husband and wife team Anouk and Louis Solanet are the founders of Orso Hôtels who have built the brand on the mission to ‘return to the lost art of hospitality and bring back the often forgotten values and welcoming spirit of the hotel industry that are the essence of true travel experiences’. Each property is approached as a unique project, bringing different designers and teams on board to ensure creativity is kept alive – the only cookie-cutter thread in this story is its considered style of hospitality and hosting. We stepped inside Hotel Ami earlier this year, and now look forward to exploring Paris through the eyes of Orso Hôtels.

Hôtel Dame des Arts

Image credit: Hôtel Dame des Arts

A relatively new kid on the block as featured in our most recent VIP openings list and located in the historic Latin Quarter, is Hôtel Dame des Arts. The hotel has opened its doors as a contemporary retreat embodying the spirit of freedom, culture, and creativity of the city’s Left Bank. The hotel offers a choice of 109 guestrooms and suites, all with bespoke and unique art pieces and many featuring outdoor balconies with views of iconic landmarks including of course, the Eiffel Towel and Notre Dame Cathedral.

Hotel Les Bains

Image credit: Hotel Les Bains

Taking a more maximalist approach to boutique design in Paris is Hotel Les Bains. Designed by architect Vincent Bastie with interiors by designers Tristan Auer and Denis Montel (think Hermes boutique design), the façade and architecture nods clearly to Parisian history, while the design details are a daring play on light and dark which is amplified throughout. Design moods shift as quickly as the light in this hotel as you move from tranquil guestroom space to atmospheric salons and bijoux bars. With curated art events, its own boutique concept store along with other hip happenings and events, this is a contemporary destination that always has something unique on its agenda.

Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain

Inspired by notable guests from the past and the vibrant Left Bank culture of the present, interior designer Didier Benderli offers a contemporary take on the quintessential Parisian experience at the Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain which opened earlier this year. Primely positioned, the picturesque café-lined streets that surround the hotel were once the meeting places and inspiration for some of the world’s most cherished artistic and literary greats, including Simone de Beauvoir, Albert Camus and even Pablo Picasso. Set across three traditional buildings and brought to life by interior designer Didier Benderli, the hotel is the most recent addition to boutique group, Chevalier Paris, and features 47 individually appointed guestrooms and suites, a tranquil spa, a bar and new restaurant, Les Parisiens.

Fauchon L’Hotel Paris

Image credit: Fauchon L’Hotel Paris

Since opening in the summer of 2019 Fauchon L’Hotel Paris has cemented its reputation as a house of innovation and excellence. The hotel’s natural playfulness and signature hot-pink touches are boldly and sensitively injected alongside the original design by renowned architect Richard Martinet who worked together with Atelier Paluel-Marmont. The juxtaposition of ‘new design meets old architecture’ feels intentional, and is further heightened when guests walk through the doors to experience celebrated French artist commissions that are hung throughout the public spaces, by names such as Aristide Najean and Monica Nowan. Each of the hotel’s immaculately designed and decorated 54 rooms and suites frame the classic Parisian city view, with some extending to include a balcony view of the Eiffel Tower.

J.K. Place Paris

Image credit: J.K. Place Paris

Finally, staying in Paris a mere few steps from the Seine and the Musée d’Orsay while adding a few notes of Italian designer chic (is there such a thing as over-chicced?), is J.K. Place Paris. Paris was the next logical step for this brand, and its first outside Italy. Every detail of the hotel is carefully considered and curated from the sweeping marble staircase to the subterranean spa and swimming pool. References to both French and Italian design make this a uniquely European statement encapsulating the best of Parisian boutique style with a substantial dose of la dolce vita…

Main image credit: Hotel Rochechouart