Boasting the largest swimming pool in Paris, overlooked by contemporary chambers, Molitor Hotel & Spa is more than a hotel, it’s a much-loved Parisian landmark, too.
With a distinct aesthetic charm, owing to its abundant history, Molitor has earned its rightful place as one of the most coveted hotels in the Voguish capital, making it an apt choice for Paris Fashion Week attendees.
Find it in the city’s 16th arrondissement; the building, awash with a canary-yellow pigment is in deliberate contrast with the city’s Haussman design. Instead, it offers a unique approach to grandeur and eccentricity to an unassuming part of the city. Its command for attention is artistic defiance, yet, the exterior is just a fraction of what it has to offer once you step through the threshold.
Being a Fashion Editor and having recently moved to Paris, I’m entrusted with recommendations, particularly during Paris Fashion Week. This animated city is even more so during PFW, with a flurry of tastemakers making a beeline to the French capital, for work and play. Such buzz calls for a tranquil resting place after-hours, and Molitor fits the fashion-downtime bill.
The Vibe
Upon entrance, you’re greeted by an avant-garde vehicle display, and a mirrored ceiling encouraging you to look up. However, forget to look down and you’ll miss the detailed carpeting, featuring a timeline of the hotel. In fact, vivid and striking art throughout the hotel pays homage to a period of vacancy, in 1989, when Molitor became a local canvas for Guerrilla art. Walls are generously decorated with buoyant photography of faces who have graced the venue over the years and the attention to detail is unmatched. Sharp edges are juxtaposed with rounded elements; themes of cobalt and yolky yellow carry throughout the breadth of the space, inviting the outdoors in. I’m told the space metamorphosises depending on the season, with summer (understandably so) being particularly lively.
The Rooms
Hotel Molitor has 117 rooms, of which seven are suites – each boasting Jean Philippe Nuel’s scaled-back interior design with ergonomic configuration; not just comfortable but also spacious – ideal for the ample luggage that will no doubt be trailing behind (especially during Fashion Week). The hotel’s distinct exterior is juxtaposed with soft furnishings, like pleated drapes and supple concave headboards, while bathrooms are graced with porthole-style windows – making the pool a focal point with a telescopic-like view. In each Chambre you’ll find luxurious touches, from a pillow menu to Clarins toiletries—ensuring the environment is conducive to high-quality rest.
The Spa and Pool
Molitor is known for its 46-metre outdoor swimming pool. Inaugurated in 1929, and with a design originally conceived by Lucien Pollet, it’s Paris’s most popular swimming bath – and one that’s witnessed periods of vitality and vacancy. Its 2014 redesign was envisioned with the spirit of yesteryear. And there’s another pool indoors, along with The Spa by Clarins, covering 1,700 square metres, and temptingly coined the “temple of relaxation”. Spa facilities comprise treatment rooms, a hair salon and a unisex hammam. From their Beyond the Water signature massage (acceding on the theme of water and rejuvenation) to aromatic facials, there’s a remedy to suit every requirement, and options for personalisation.
The Food + Drink
Loved by locals, Molitor’s restaurant Brasserie Molitor serves up French favourites – including a croque-monsieur and is popular for brunch, or bag a seat at Rooftop Molitor, with eclectic décor and mismatched seating, during summer (open from 9 May 2025). 1929 hones in on French brasserie classics, with a seasonal, quality menu comprising dishes – such as the reimagined and elegant twist on a Cordon Bleu, a slender roulade oozing with molten cheese and served with a decadent potatoes mousseline, and the Gratinee a L’Oignon, bursting with umami flavour and the tang of 16-month matured Comté. Brits, you may (like me) struggle to look away from the Fish and Chips; flaky cod served with a mound of impeccably salted fries. 1929’s in-room dining comprises the menu in its entirety, therefore the option to experience fine dining in solitude is also a possibility.
The To Do List
Image credit: Palais de Tokyo
The 16th arrondissement is home to plentiful iconic landmarks, including Eiffel Tower-adjacent Place du Trocadéro. You’re also close to Bois de Boulogne (charmingly coined the lungs of Paris), a place where it’s not uncommon to hire a rowboat for respite after a hectic day. A stone’s throw away is Palais de Tokyo and Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, both showcasing art from the 20th through to the 21st century. Fashion lovers should visit Fondation Louis Vuitton to discover a wealth of modern and contemporary art and of course, breathtaking architecture to conclude an inspired stay.
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