The best design hotels in Paris
From grand palaces to boutique gems, these are the places to stay in the City of Light
Whether occupying an entire city block or tucked into a compact, historic building, there’s something quintessentially romantic about the hotels of Paris. The finest examples - listed below - effortlessly convey an authentic sense of place and history with a lightness of touch, bold contemporary details and all the modern comforts you could wish for.
Hôtel Wallace
The latest location to join the Orso hotel group, Hôtel Wallace is a glamorous bolthole in the buzzy 15th arrondissement. The historic building was known as ‘the hollow tooth’ because its beautiful exterior concealed emptiness inside. After a complete renovation, only the original walls were retained; now there are five floors with 48 Riviera-chic bedrooms, an atmospheric basement bar and an airy terrace. For their first hotel project, up and coming design duo Hauvette & Madani had free reign with the interiors which they infused with a retro vibe, referencing Gio Ponti to create spaces that blend French charm and Italian style. hotelwallaceparis.com
Le Pigalle
The brilliant creation of Valéry Grégo, a skateboarding hotelier, Le Pigalle hotel has brilliantly distilled the area’s spirit. ‘We didn’t want to make a hotel that simply reflected what Pigalle is becoming, but what it was and still is. It still has grit,’ he says. French architecture practice Festen oversaw the design and the team describes the result as being ‘collaborative, underworld, a neighbourhood hotel’. Newspaper vendor, beer brewer and florist Muse Montmartre and bookseller Les Arpenteurs are two of the local businesses that have been selected to collaborate with the hotel. lepigalle.paris
Hotel Madame Rêve
Making its home in the 19th century Louvre post office building, close to the newly restored Samaritaine department store, Hotel Madame Rêve is a cosy haven in the centre of Paris. Some of the spaces have a traditional feel, all swagged curtains and chandeliers, while others offer a relaxed, retro vibe with wood panelled walls, golden-brown textiles and comfy mid-century furniture. The show stopping sky garden is the ultimate spot for cocktails at sunset, while many of the 82 rooms and suites boast spectacular views from their fabulous panoramic windows. madamereve.com
Hotel Bienvenue
If you prefer a quieter retreat, Hotel Bienvenue offers an elegant hideaway amid the district’s bustle. Here, Studio Chloé Nègre has applied clean curved lines, velvet and florals to the interiors – housed over two buildings separated by a serene, plant-filled central courtyard – creating a series of tranquil Art Deco-inspired spaces. hotelbienvenue.fr
Pavillon Faubourg Saint Germain
New to the scene in Saint-Germain-des-Prés is Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain, which occupies three historic buildings and references the rich cultural history of the Left Bank throughout its interiors, designed by Didier Benderli. There are 47 rooms and suites, a beautiful subterranean spa and stylish restaurant Les Parisiens, with award-winning chef Thibault Sombardier at the helm. A century ago, James Joyce finished Ulysses while staying at the property and both the cocktail bar and the presidential suite are named in his honour. A perfectly appointed spot for soaking up the Left Bank’s bohemian, cultured spirit. pavillon-faubourg-saint-germain.com
Hotel Lutetia
Once the haunt of Parisian artists, writers and politicians, Hôtel Lutetia, in the fashionable district of Saint Germain, has been restored to its former glory. Following a four-year, £179 million renovation overseen by French architect Jean-Paul Wilmotte, the hotel reopened in 2018. The feeling of being aboard a luxury liner repeats throughout the Lutetia, thanks to its navy and cream colour scheme, mirrored surfaces, bronze finishes and, upstairs, the long, dark corridors that lead to its rooms and suites. Wilmotte has paid attention to everything, down to the Hermès cushions, Murano glass lights and the linen on the beds. Much of the furniture is from Italian brand Lema, and every bathtub is carved out of a single, two-tonne piece of Italian Calacatta marble. In the lobby, guests can sit at a table with violin-themed legs by French-born artist Arman, who once left the unique piece of furniture in lieu of payment for his room, while the glass ceiling of the Le Saint Germain restaurant is now daubed with images, from a skeleton to a person in a spacesuit, by contemporary artist Fabrice Hyber. From £750 per night. hotellutetia.com
Mama Shelter La Défense
Located in the heart of the business district of La Défense, this offering from the Mama Shelter team is a playful take on a boutique hotel, with colourful, quirky decor, affordable (yet comfy) rooms and a panoramic restaurant with views over the Seine and the Eiffel Tower. mamashelter.com
The Peninsula Paris
Situated moments from the Arc de Triomphe and the city’s ritziest shops and restaurants, the Peninsula Paris has all the grandeur that you would expect from one of the city’s prestigious Palace-classified hotels, but with a thoroughly modern spin. There’s a two Michelin-star restaurant on the roof, the largest hotel spa in Paris and 200 luxuriously appointed bedrooms and suites, all elegantly blending period features with contemporary additions. peninsula.com
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