PARIS JE T’AIME

The City of Light offers a range of hotels few other destinations can match. We round up the latest developments

Over the past decade, the Parisian luxury hotel segment has gone through a radical transformation. A number of traditional palace hotels – names like the Ritz Paris, Hôtel de Crillon and Le Royal Monceau, long part of the city’s fabric – closed their doors for renovation projects. Other brands made their debut, including three of the major high-end Asian hotel groups: Mandarin Oriental on Rue St Honoré, Shangri-La on Avenue d’Iéna and The Peninsula on Avenue Kléber. A nightly budget of four figures can soon become a reality if it’s luxury you seek.

Fortunately, several new options combine style and affordability. The Hoxton cut the ribbon on its second hotel outside London in Paris, in a 16th-century building in the 2nd arrondissement. Just around the corner, the Experimental Group added Hôtel des Grands Boulevards to its growing portfolio, while a few minutes in the other direction it looks after the restaurant and bar of the renewed Hôtel Bachaumont. Micro “budget-chic” hotels aren’t quite as prevalent as in a city like New York, but Dutch group Citizen M opened in the La Défense business district and at Gare du Lyon, and is working on more.

Beyond what we are able to cover over the next few pages, there are projects of every size and scale in various stages of development. Italian boutique hotel group JK Place, currently offering Rome, Florence and Capri, will add a 30-room hotel steps away from the Musée d’Orsay next year. Hôtel Costes, while working on its outpost on London’s Sloane Square, may expand into the building next door, which previously housed Hotel Lotti. An ambitious project by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma between the Bibliothèque nationale de France and Halle Freyssinet, on the Left Bank, could be the start of a European presence for eco-luxury 1 Hotels. In an unusual development for Paris, there are a number of skyscraper proposals – such as Tour Triangle and Tours Duo – each of which come with hotel elements.

HOTEL LUTETIA

The last of the grand hotels to come out of a multi-year renovation, Hotel Lutetia reopened mid-July. Natural light streams from large windows into the completely reconfigured ground floor, featuring a neutral palette, with original elements restored or recreated – the ceiling fresco in Bar Joséphine was found under layers of paint and took 17,000 hours to restore. A new outdoor patio connects restaurant Le Saint Germain with L’Orangerie, where breakfast and weekend brunch are served. Multiple storeys were excavated underneath the hotel to make room for an Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre, with treatment rooms and a 17-metre pool.

Upstairs, there are 184 rooms and suites with clean lines and, similar to sister hotel Café Royal in London, striking light-marbled bathrooms. Courtyard-facing rooms contrast dark wooden floors with whites and pale greys, while those looking out over Boulevard Raspail add a rich blue on some of the walls and in the furniture. Lutetia Brasserie, overseen by chef Gérald Passédat, will open towards the end of the year, as will seven signature suites. 45 Boulevard Raspail; +33 (0)1 4954 4600; hotellutetia.com

HOTEL MONTE CRISTO

Continuing on the Left Bank, Hotel Monte Cristo, the second of Les Hôteliers Impertinents Group, also opened in July in the 5th arrondissement. Its 50 rooms and suites are inspired by “the 19th century and French genius”, represented by author Alexandre Dumas. They come in an eclectic mix of colours, with fringed velvet furniture, bedside lamps, and hanging lanterns. There is a 16-metre swimming pool and sauna in the basement, while a smoking room and bar are due to open in November. The group is looking at further hotel projects in the French capital. 20-22 Rue Pascal; +33 (0)1 4009 0909; hotelmontecristoparis.com

FAUCHON L’HôTEL

Officially open since September 1, the first hotel from luxury grocer Fauchon can be found just off of Place de la Madeleine in the 8th arrondissement. Four core colours set the tone for its interior design: white, black, gold and Fauchon pink.

The 54 rooms and suites all have exterior views and come with dark hardwood floors and a pink, Fauchon Gourmet Bar with complementary treats. Some have views of the Eiffel Tower, while the Prestige Suite has a living room overlooking the Madeleine Church. Downstairs, Le Café Fauchon serves food and drinks throughout the day and evening, and has indoor and outdoor seating. There is also a library and a small spa. 4 Boulevard Malesherbes; +33 (0)1 8786 2800; hotel-fauchon-paris.fr

BRACH PARIS

Evok Hôtels Collection opened Brach Paris in October, in the 16th arrondissement near the Bois de Boulogne. Behind its glass façade with trees and hanging foliage are 59 rooms and suites designed by Philippe Starck, while a “sports club inspired by 1930s boxing clubs” offers a 22-metre pool, sauna, steam room, Himalayan salt cave and fitness facilities. Brach Paris follows the opening by Evok of Nolinski Paris in 2016, and the group plans to add Cour des Vosges next year, with just 12 apartments on Place des Vosges, one of the city’s most beautiful squares.

Brach Paris, 1-7 Rue Jean Richepin; +33 (0)1 4430 1000; brachparis.com

Cour des Vosges, Place des Vosges; evokhotels.com /property/cour-des-vosges

MAISON ASTOR PARIS

Hilton cut the ribbon on Maison Astor this autumn, part of its Curio Collection and originally built by John Jacob Astor IV. Completely refurbished, it offers 131 rooms and suites, some with outdoor terrace, and a rooftop suite designed with fabrics from Hermès. The Dining

The ceiling fresco in Bar Joséphine at Hotel Lutetia took 17,000 hours to restore

Room serves French-American inspired food underneath the glass ceiling of the hotel’s courtyard.

Its opening comes on the heels of Niepce Paris earlier this year, also a Curio Collection hotel. Taking its name from Janine Niépce, a celebrated French photographer and journalist, it has 52 rooms and suites in a row of townhouses near Montparnasse, along with restaurant La Verrière. Hilton is also developing a 118-room hotel roughly midway between Niepce and the Eiffel Tower, with interiors designed by Philippe Starck, due sometime next year.

Maison Astor Paris, 11 Rue d’Astorg; +33 (0)6 4383 6448; maisonastorparis.com

Niepce Paris, 4 Rue Niepce; +33 (0)1 8375 6920; niepceparis.com

Hilton Paris Eiffel Tower, 55 Avenue de Saxe; hilton.com

HôTEL DU LOUVRE

On Rue de Rivoli, Hôtel du Louvre will reopen in 2019 as part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection, with 165 rooms and suites, a new lobby, bar and restaurant. The year after, a dual-branded Hyatt Place and Hyatt House property is to open at Roissy- Charles de Gaulle airport, with a total of 430 rooms. Meanwhile, Hyatt Regency Étoile has undergone a complete renovation, with a new lobby, Regency Club lounge, and a fresh look for its 995 rooms and suites, and 34th floor panoramic bar. Hôtel du Louvre, Place André Malraux; +33 (0)1 7311 1234; parishoteldulouvre.hyatt.com Hyatt Regency Étoile, 3 Place du Général Koenig; +33 (0)1 4068 1234; parisetoile.regency.hyatt.com Hyatt Place/Hyatt House RoissyCharles de Gaulle airport; hyatt.com

HôTEL SCRIBE PARIS OPéRA

Dating back to 1861, Hôtel Scribe – part of Sofitel – is in the middle of a renovation programme due to complete in autumn 2019. It remains open throughout the works, and the first set of fresh rooms and suites can already be booked. The work of Tristan Auer, the rooms come with

intricate fabric headboards, abstract art and bathroom ceilings inspired by Chagall’s frescoes at Opéra Garnier.

There is plenty of other activity from Accor Hotels around Paris. A 236-room 25 Hours hotel is due to open this year inside the Terminus Nord building, opposite Gare du Nord. Pullman Paris Montparnasse is closed until the end of summer 2019 for a renovation, while two hotels under the Mama Shelter brand should open by 2020 near Porte de Versailles and in La Défense. Another potential project is a So Sofitel on Champs-Elysées, with rooftop pool – yet to be confirmed.

Hôtel Scribe Paris Opéra by Sofitel, 1 Rue Scribe; +33 (0)1 4471 2424; hotel-scribe.com/en

25 Hours Hotel Terminus Nord, 12 Boulevard de Denain; +33 (0)1 4280 2000; 25hours-hotels.com/en

Pullman Paris Montparnasse, 19 Rue Commandant René; +33 (0)1 4436 4444; pullmanhotels.com

CITIZEN M

Having started with a hotel at Roissy- Charles de Gaulle airport, Citizen M opened properties in La Défense and next to Gare de Lyon, its first-ever conversion. Between these three hotels, the Dutch hotel brand has more than 700 rooms around Paris, but there are two more hotels in the pipeline: in the Opéra district, with 80 rooms, and at an as-yetundisclosed central location, with 151 rooms. Citizen M La Défense, 194 Jardin de l’Arche; +33 (0)1 8665 5960; citizenm.com Citizen M Gare de Lyon, 8 Rue Van Gogh; +33 (0)1 8665 0740; citizenm.com

BULGARI HOTEL PARIS

At the start of the next decade, Bulgari Hotels will open a hotel on Avenue George V, taking the group’s portfolio to eight properties worldwide. The majority of its 76 rooms will be suites, and facilities include a restaurant and bar with courtyard garden, and a spa with 25-metre pool.

Citizen M has over 700 rooms around Paris with two more hotels in the pipeline

Four Seasons opened its new 720 sqm spa this summer, with a 17-metre pool

Bulgari will be across the street from Four Seasons Hotel George V and its neighbour Prince de Galles, and only minutes from Hôtel Barrière le Fouquet’s, on the corner with the Champs-Elysées. Four Seasons opened its new 720 sqm spa this summer, with 17-metre pool, fitness, treatment rooms and salon, while Barrière le Fouquet’s will add 19 new rooms and suites by the end of this year.

Bulgari Hotel Paris, 30 Avenue George V; bulgarihotels.com

Four Seasons Hotel George V, 31 Avenue George V; +33 (0)1 4952 7000; fourseasons.com/paris

Hotel Barrière le Fouquet’s, 46 Avenue George V; +33 (0)1 4069 6000; hotelsbarriere.com/en/paris/ le-fouquets.html

CHEVAL BLANC SAMARITAINE

Closed since 2005, department store La Samaritaine is being brought back to life by LVMH. As part of its mixed-use future, it will contain Cheval Blanc Samaritaine, Cheval Blanc’s fourth hotel, in the Art Deco portion of the building designed by Henri Sauvage. Facing the Seine at Pont Neuf, the bridge connecting the western tip of Île de la Cité, it will have 72 rooms and suites, a number of restaurants, and a garden terrace above the building’s glass rooftop. Quai du Louvre; chevalblanc.com

KIMPTON PARIS

Having been acquired by IHG, Kimpton Hotels has expansion plans in Europe and Asia. That includes a property in Paris, with 122 rooms and 27 suites, a restaurant with patio, spa and fitness, event space and rooftop. Kimpton Paris should open in 2020 on Boulevard des Capucines, a short stroll from Opéra Garnier and around the corner from InterContinental le Grand, which is undergoing a refurbishment overseen by Pierre-Yves Rochon, during which it remains open.

Kimpton Paris, 25-29 Boulevard des Capucines; kimptonhotels.com

InterContinental le Grand, 2 Rue Scribe; +33 (0)1 4007 3232; parislegrand.intercontinental.com

RIGHT: Pink is a theme at Fauchon l’HôtelBELOW: Hotel Monte Cristo has rooms inspired by Alexandre Dumas

FROM TOP: The bar and façade of Hotel Lutetia; plants and foliage adorn the Brach Paris

FROM TOP: The glass ceiling of the courtyard at Maison Astor Paris; and one of the rooms; Hôtel du Louvre is due to reopen in 2019

FROM TOP: Some of the renovated rooms at Hôtel Scribe Paris Opéra can now be booked; shared space and guest rooms at Citizen M La Défense have a contemporary style

FROM TOP: The majority of rooms at Bulgari Hotel Paris will be suites; the spa at Four Seasons Hotel George V; Kimpton Paris will have 122 rooms