Listen, we love a run down of the best hotels in Paris as much as the next Francophile; anyone else watched Sex and the City’s final season six trillion times just for those City of Lights episodes? But, when it comes to the most stylish places to stay over Paris Fashion Week, who better to share recommendations than FROW-ers, fresh from their trips?
From designer Blanca Miro and creative director Abisola Omole, to author Katherine Ormerod and creator Alyssa in the City, we’ve asked these girls about town to give us (and you!) the scoop on their Parisian home-from-homes. Perhaps it’s all about a well-connected location to get between shows, somewhere with a marble tub that you can soak tired feet or a rooftop club with views of the Eiffel Tower, so there’s not far to go when it’s time for bed – whether you’re attending Fashion Week or not, these hotel picks are not to be missed.
We’ve included a mix of Jazz Age gems brimming with character, alongside plush Champs-Élysées institutions and newly-opened art hotels, so whatever your taste, there’ll be a room calling your name. But, before you book, be sure to read our taste maker’s top tips, with each contributor sharing one thing you need to know ahead of your stay. As Audrey Hepburn once said, “Paris is always a good idea” – so, keep reading to get inspired for your next city break.
Hôtel de La Boétie
The Touriste Group strikes again with their latest opening, Hôtel de La Boétie – a four-star, 40-bed hotel, just a stone’s throw from the Champs-Élysées. If you’re unfamiliar with the group’s magic formula, they’ve tapped into our collective obsession with interiors, asking designers of the moment to make their mark on each property – counting six so far. Swedish designer Beata Heuman took the reins for Hôtel de La Boétie, focusing on a palette of soft pastels, with sugary pink bed sheets, sky blue accent chairs and pistachio gingham bed boxes – balanced with clean lines and wooden furnishings. From the pink-and-red initialled bath towels to the checkerboard tiling, there’s something decidedly ‘Grand Budapest Hotel’ about this place, but it’s not a case of style over substance. “One of the best things about Hôtel de La Boétie is how practical it is – especially for fashion week,” shares New York-based stylist, Alexis Badiyi. “It’s centrally located so you can get around the city easily and the team were helpful when it came to receiving and holding onto samples and invitations for the shows – they knew the drill. Plus, I don’t usually sleep well when travelling, but here I actually did!”
What to know before you go: “Ask for a room on the top floor! This will secure you a great view over the rooftops of Paris, plus a charming terrace, too,” says Alexis.
SO/ Paris
Having just celebrated its first anniversary, five-star, lifestyle hotel SO/ Paris, is one to place firmly on your radar. Housed on the top floors of a Modernist high-rise, the building was originally intended for government use, until a few years ago when businesses across Paris were invited to get a piece of the real estate action. After winning the coveted, Eiffel Tower-facing side of the building, the SO/ group named this their new flagship and set about creating the hotel’s panoramic-view restaurant, luxury spa and art installation spaces. For Paris Fashion Week, its location is unrivalled. Set back from the crowds, the surrounding streets are quiet and easy to navigate, while the Seine is literally around the corner, and Notre Dame and fashionable Le Marais can be reached by foot in under 20 minutes. Content creators Isabelle and Nelson, also known as the Young Emperors, chose SO/ Paris as their Fashion Week hub and according to them, it ticked every box. “The view at the in-house restaurant, Bonnie, is one of a kind. You can see the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, Sacré Coeur – the whole skyline from here. Plus, if you feel like going out, the club on the top floor is amazing! Equally, Fashion Week can be exhausting, so room service is such a treat – I love the lobster pasta,” shares Isabelle.
What to know before you go: “The spa downstairs works with CODAGE Paris, a really authentic, French brand that you’ll love. Have a massage or a facial here, the team are so talented,” says Isabelle.
Hôtel Rochechouart
Hôtel Rochechouart offers a seductive glimpse of 1920s Paris, with an Art Deco facade that’ll make you look, and a history dating back to the Jazz Age – renowned French singer, Edith Piaf, is even said to have performed here. But Hôtel Rochechouart is not stuck in the past; these days, its location at the foot of Montmartre, amidst buzzy Pigalle is right on trend. What was once a seedy red light district is now where the cool kids hang out, with atmospheric bars at every turn. Rooms are latte-hued and according to designer and It Girl, Blanca Miro, have a certain “Wes Anderson” quality. “I stayed at Hôtel Rochechouart for the first time this Fashion Week and loved it – the warm lighting and mustard carpeting feels like being in a film,” she says. Designed by Parisian-based duo FESTEN, bedrooms aim to evoke the glamour of the Belle Époque era, while the marble bathrooms are the perfect place to take a soak after a long day of shows. This sentiment is seconded by journalist and author Katherine Ormerod who says that usually during Fashion Week, moments of down-time in the tub are a must. Unfortunately, only a few rooms at Hôtel Rochechouart feature a bath, so if you had visions of luxuriating mermaid style with the hotel’s bespoke toiletries made in Grasse, the world’s perfume capital, be sure to check ahead. And, once you’re all spruced up, Katherine recommends a cocktail in the “cavernous brasserie downstairs, which is quintessential Paris in all its romance.”
What to know before you go: “The downstairs aperitivo is essential, so even if you’re not staying the night, pop in to see the in-house restaurant,” says Katherine.
Hotel Les Deux Gares
Whimsical English designer Luke Edward Hall brings a cheerful riot of colour and pattern to this tiny hotel, set in the 10th Arrondissement, just three minutes walk from the Gare du Nord. Bedrooms pack a design punch with striped headboards, painted ceilings and vintage-style wallpapers, while the lobby is not to be missed with its mix of leopard print seating and acid green panelling. In short: if you’re in the market for content, this is the place to ready your tripod and ring light, with some of the most eye-catching backgrounds you could hope for. Alyssa Coscarelli, content creator and tastemaker behind Alyssa in the City, agrees, sharing: “The bathrooms are adorable and have great lighting, so make sure you get some photos in there. I particularly loved the green and pink tiling in mine.” Its central location is ideal for getting around during Fashion Week and the rooms are priced reasonably, with the best rates found through the hotel’s website. Plus, just opposite you’ll find the sister venue, an authentic Parisian cafe called Café les Deux Gares, serving a carefully curated selection of natural wines. Sounds good to us!
What to know before you go: “There’s a small gym and sauna in the basement which is not only rare for a boutique hotel in Paris, but is a life-saver during a stressful Fashion Week. Even if you’re not going to use it, take a look, because the retro, floral wallpaper is incredible,” says Alyssa.
The Hoxton Paris
Since its inception in 2006, The Hoxton has become the every woman’s hotel. With a string of sites across Europe and beyond, you can rely on a Hoxton lobby to be full of vintage finds, its team to know all the go-to spots and its beds to be oh-so comfortable. The Paris branch does, however, have a certain je ne sais quoi. Housed in a grand, 18th-century residence, its show-stopping feature has to be the central courtyard, of which the hotel’s many spaces – including a bar, restaurant, lounge and tasting room – are all built around. Here, The Hoxton’s signature pops of colour and retro styling contrasts with the building’s architecture. And, check out the statement staircase, which spirals into the foyer and makes for a killer photo opportunity. For a hectic trip, stylist, author and presenter Zeena Shah says that The Hoxton is spot-on for its handy location and happy-go-lucky feel. “It’s a big site,” shares Zeena, “so there’s always somewhere to sit down and take a moment. Whether it’s grabbing an armchair to check the day’s schedule on your phone, having a quick bite on-the-go or a cocktail before heading out for the evening, The Hoxton has everything you need in one place.”
What to know before you go: “Don’t leave without having a drink in Jacques’ Bar, the upstairs cocktail lounge decorated in vivid, floral wallpaper. You might not notice it at first, as it’s tucked out of the way, but it’s the perfect place for a cocktail before dinner.”
Maison Delano Paris
Leave it to Abisola Omole, creative director and CEO of Studio Arva, to find one of the most stylish spots in Paris for her Fashion Week stay. Abisola’s lifestyle brand is built on her reputation for impeccable taste, favouring natural tones, simple design and effortless chic. Maison Delano feels like one of the city’s best kept secrets, hidden in plain sight in the 8th Arrondissement, within an 18th-century mansion. Behind its facade, you’ll find a private courtyard, offering a typically Parisian alfresco experience; all twirling, bistro furniture, cream-toned walls and potted greenery. Inside, the hotel has both modern and classic rooms, some benefitting from a sleek renovation, others holding true to the building’s storied past. For Abisola, it’s period details like soaring ceilings and traditional wall panelling that make this place special, with the Junior Suite acting as a backdrop for her Fashion Week content. Here, marble fireplaces rub up nicely next to plush, modern decor like tub chairs and minimalist lighting. Even if you don’t spend the night at Maison Delano, the hotel’s in-house restaurant, La Chambre Bleue, is a must try. Inspired by Pablo Picasso’s namesake painting and led by Michelin Starred Chef Dani García, its concept hinges on traditional Mediterranean cuisine.
What to know before you go: “Request a classic, Parisian-style room beforehand, instead of one of the modern ones, to soak up the atmosphere of the hotel. I actually changed mine while staying and was pleased I did, the traditional architecture is so chic,” shares Abisola.
L'Hotel
L’Hotel sits at the heart of the Left Bank and has been an ‘artist’s haunt’ since 1830, most famously known as the last home of Oliver Wilde, and where he died in 1900. Over the years, everyone from Princess Diana to Elizabeth Taylor has made an appearance here, making L’Hotel a beloved and historical institution among Parisians. With so many stories to tell, it’s perhaps no surprise that poet and model Greta Bellamacina counts it as one of her favourite hotels, taking inspiration from its unusual architecture and ‘ancient’ feel. “It’s actually very low-key,” she says. “It feels like it’s been here forever and is full of character. There’s a small, low-lit bar with no windows and chess boards everywhere. And, a circular view point stairwell which feels ancient, as if you’re staying in a crumbling, old riad,” she explains. With just 20 bedrooms, L’Hotel offers a boutique experience, especially as every boudoir is individually designed by Jacques Garcia, one of France’s most celebrated interior designers. Here, walls are draped in aubergine silks and leopard print carpet covers the staircases. Spending the night at L’Hotel feels like stepping into the pages of a book – so, if there was ever a place for main character energy, this is it.
What to know before you go: “There’s a tiny pool built into the underground vault with only enough space for one person at a time, so reserve ahead. Swimming in the basement of Paris alone with your daydreams is a surreal and magical experience not to miss!,” says Greta.
Hôtel Barrière Fouquet's
Sometimes it’s fun to go ahead, and be the tourist you know, deep down, you’re aching to be. And, why not? Yes, Paris is full of in-the-know spots, like hipster bars and neighbourhood eateries, but it’s also home to some of the most famous landmarks in the world. A few of which, you can see from the suites at Hotel Fouquet’s – a sprawling, Grade Madame of a hotel, sitting boldly at the heart of the Champs-Élysées. With plush rooms, a huge spa and restaurant decked out with glistening chandeliers, this is living your best life. Over Fashion Week, it’s no surprise that several attendees made this their base with both digital creator Masha Dubrovskaya and editor Jessica Harris staying here between shows and parties. “This is my favourite hotel when in Paris,” says Masha, “it captures the art of living a la Française, especially when staying in the Signature Suite which overlooks the Champs-Élysées and has a huge dressing room; crucial at Fashion Week!” For Masha, its proximity to the avenue’s luxury shopping destinations is also key, adding, “It’s right at the corner of the Louis Vuitton flagship and the whole area is a place to see and be seen.”
What to know before you go: “Don’t skip breakfast, the food is amazing but for a busy week, you’ll also come to rely on the detox shots!” shares Jessica Harris.
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Lead image: L’Hotel Paris
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