Paris, the City of Lights, has a magical allure that captures hearts and ignites romance. From the twinkling lights of the Seine River to the charming candlelit restaurants, the city’s atmosphere invites you to fall in love. And if you want to amplify the romance, Paris offers a wealth of luxurious and intimate hotels designed for honeymooners and romantic getaways.
Palatial Dreams: The Shangri-La Hotel
Imagine stepping into a grand mansion once owned by Prince Roland Bonaparte, Napoleon’s great-nephew. That’s the experience you’ll have at the Shangri-La, a luxurious Parisian pied-à-terre with some of the most breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tower. The hotel boasts a stunning facade, original function rooms that evoke the grandeur of Versailles, and a meticulously restored grand staircase. The bedrooms are a symphony of calm and classic elegance, featuring a calming color scheme of duck-egg blue, cream, and soft gold. Each room is uniquely designed with marquetry desks, subtly embossed wallpaper, and orchids. Some rooms offer balconies overlooking the lush garden, while the top suites feature expansive panoramic terraces, providing unparalleled views of the city.
Belle Époque Glamour: Maison Souquet
This magical address is a captivating blend of Belle Époque glamour, five-star luxury, and creative exuberance. Maison Souquet, the ultimate lovers’ retreat, was once a maison close (a high-class brothel for wealthy gentlemen) owned by a certain Madame Souquet. Renowned French designer Jacques Garcia, with his artistic touch, has transformed this historic building into a bewitching haven. Blood-red interiors, crafted from the finest silk, gold gilt, Venetian glass, and sculpted wood, create an alluring ambiance. The attention to detail is exquisite, from the carefully curated 19th-century furniture and original chinoiserie to the flickering scented candles of rose, tobacco, and jasmine crafted by a skilled artisan in Lyon.
Contemporary Chic: Le Royal Monceau Raffles
For a modern take on luxury, Le Royal Monceau Raffles is the perfect choice. Designed by the visionary Philippe Starck, the hotel embraces a contemporary aesthetic with a touch of whimsy. A grand Art Deco awning pays homage to the hotel’s history, dating back to the 1930s, but the interior is undeniably modern. Inspired by the whimsical world of “Alice in Wonderland”, Starck plays with angles and perspective, featuring striped optical-illusion wallpaper in the corridors and a maze-like mirrored spa. Public spaces on the ground floor open onto a stylish courtyard, where you can enjoy summery drinks under the Parisian sun around a turquoise pool.
Decadent Retro Retreat: Bourg Tibourg
Located in the fashionable Marais district, Bourg Tibourg is a deliciously decadent retro retreat that hides behind a simple facade. Step inside and be transported into a veritable jewel box of tasteful opulence. Bold colors and oriental design motifs are juxtaposed with neo-gothic decor, creating a unique and captivating ambiance. Expect rich, luxurious fabrics, kitsch details, and meticulously chosen pieces of antique furniture from celebrated designer Jacques Garcia. The hotel’s film library, featuring stylish French cinema classics, allows guests to enjoy a movie night in their room with popcorn.
Historic Charm: Hôtel D’Alsace
This hotel boasts a rich history, having welcomed many celebrity guests throughout the years, including the exiled Oscar Wilde. The writer rented a furnished apartment here before his death in 1900, famously stating that he was “dying beyond his means.” Throughout the 20th century, the hotel continued to attract famous figures like Ava Gardener, Frank Sinatra, and the Aga Khan. The 20 rooms blend Empire style and Baroque detailing, creating a busy yet sophisticated atmosphere. Expect wood panels, elaborate carved wood features, grand bed heads, exquisite patterned wallpaper, and antique embellishments.
Modern Elegance: Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel
This hotel, once a mansion built for Napoleon III’s half-brother, is a testament to French elegance. The stunning stone façade, renovated in 2015 by Parisian superstar designer Jacques Garcia, is undeniably impressive. The interior is a blend of traditional and modern, with elements of Second Empire (intricate wall mouldings and Versailles parquet), Deco pillars in the Gabriel restaurant, and contemporary art pieces. Even the smallest rooms and suites are the size of a standard Parisian apartment, offering either views of the Jardin des Champs-Élysées or the charming interior courtyard.
Private Sanctuary: Hôtel de Sers
This intimate and clandestine hotel is the perfect secret Parisian pied-à-terre. The ground-floor lounges exude an exclusive gentlemen’s club ambiance with dim lighting, heavy red-velvet drapes, and opulent drawing-room furnishings. The 1871 mansion was once home to members of the Hermès and Rothschild families and retains its bourgeois-home charm. The five spacious suites offer a range of moods and décor, but the real draw is the lush walled garden, perfect for relaxing under the trees, and the neighboring pétanque court.
Timeless Elegance: Hôtel Plaza Athénée
This hotel, housed in a grand 18th-century building on the corner of the charming Place Valois, is a testament to timeless elegance. Interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon, also behind the Four Seasons George V and Shangri-La, has masterfully blended the building’s original features, including the imposing spiral stairwell, with a contemporary aesthetic. Materials are of the highest quality: fabrics and wallpaper from renowned Parisian designers, furnishings from Philippe Lurel, and contemporary artworks on display in the lobby, along with busts of Voltaire and Rousseau.
Modern Paris: Hôtel Nolinski
The Evok group, employing the talented architect Jean-Louis Denoit, transformed this Avenue de l’Opéra hotel into a luxurious retreat. The hotel’s style is a blend of Belle Époque Paris, with marble surfaces and suites named after Hemingway and Josephine Baker, and contemporary touches like abstract art, jagged geometric lines, and dazzling mirrored surfaces. The hotel’s signature scent, lobby music, and the use of blue and green hues create a sense of calm and tranquility, a welcome escape from the bustling city.
