by No trip to Paris is complete without strolling along the Champs EÌ lyseÌ es, but always feel the city’s busiest street somewhere to avoid if you are looking for a really nice hotel interior and a peaceful night’s sleep. Until now.
Style
Modernity and charisma are the words that come to mind when you enter Hôtel de La Boétie where a cork board strewn with postcards adorns the wall and guests are greeted by an essay-like reception desk. The building itself is typically small for Paris, and clever tactics like this make the most of the space.
Every other room is a celebration of Beata Heuman’s creative identity. That’s what the founder of Touriste, Adrien Gloaguenour, planned, and his lack of experience in such a project did not dampen his enthusiasm. “I have been following Beata Heuman’s work for many years and I am drawn to her elegant style. We wanted the hotel to add a little panache to the Champs EÌ lyseÌ es area”, he says. Well, it certainly adds panache.
In the bedrooms there are dark, woven tapestries hanging behind headboards, gingham, fringed cushions that brighten up chairs and graphic bathroom tiles with a hint of Art Deco inspirations. There is a crack; it’s fun; it is unlike anything you would do in your own home. This is where Heuman shines the brightest, so instead of being a disadvantage, maybe her lack of work in corporate hotels is what makes the most important rooms in the building so wonderful?
On the ground floor, communal areas are naturally brighter and a little more gentle to the senses. A graphic screen separates the bar and breakfast area, its sharp lines contrasted with smooth curved tables. The fabrics are always varied: jewel-touch velvet sits alongside printed cotton and stainless steel is pulled from beech wood. Art lovers should look out for the deconstructed breakfast painting by Kirsty Lackie behind the bar.
Where?
Just a few steps from the Champs EÌ lyseÌ es, the location of Hôtel de La Boétie is what makes it special. Rarely do you come across boutique accommodation that is so right in the middle of the action and once inside, the sounds of the city seem to be absent. A short Metro or solo bus ride from Gare du Nord means you’re there 40 minutes after getting off the Eurostar, and is arguably the most convenient travel option from London (and the one with the most generous luggage allowance ).
Turn left out of reception and straight into the Lafayette Galleries – perfect for guests with an eye for design and/or shopping – or turn right for quintessential French cafes with wicker furniture, chalk menus- written and assured croque monsieur.
Food & drink
The hotel’s small but comfortable bar is relaxed and full of basics, so save the fancy cocktail requests and order a glass of wine, sinking into the plush velvet sofa to take a first look at Heuman’s vision for the building.
For breakfast, there are many food and drink options that taste better in Paris. The front runner is clearly a pastry. Avoid the €22 hotel breakfast and the sun-drenched cobbled streets to Le Marais where the smell of freshly baked croissants and warm wafts of espresso from roadside cafes. This is where the locals frequent and is a great place to start the day. Take it slow, people watch, and wait for the neighborhood’s stylish vintage boutiques to open.
For families
It’s par for the course that city hotels don’t expect many family-friendly features, but Hôtel de La Boétie can provide travel cots (expect sheets to fit the master bed) and chairs high if you have a baby in tow. Needless to say the lift is tiny, but the staff are ready if you need to leave a buggy downstairs. Anyone brave enough to take a city break with at least one tiny person should make this part of the adventure.
Which room?
Families should book a Triple, but those visiting with children will not be comfortable in any of the available options. The beds are plush, dressed in soft pink satin sheets and especially inviting after a day spent hopping between arrondissements and cozy wine bars. Travelers will appreciate details that often go unnoticed (read: dimmer lamps and easy-to-reach sockets by the bed, coffee machines and a small collection of toiletries). In larger rooms, expect a larger bathroom, additional luxury furniture, and a more generous helping of Heuman’s recognizable aesthetic. If you’re planning on using the space for longer than it takes to get a good night’s sleep, it’s worth spoiling yourself.
Best for…
Families visiting Paris will be hard-pressed to find something more central and equally appealing, but Hôtel de La Boétie has a real mix of clientele. Expect groups of friends, business travelers, couples enjoying a weekend city break, and a well-dressed crowd during Fashion Week.
Details
Room rates start at £217 per night; hoteldelaboetie.com
Paris is best reached from London via the Eurostar. Prices start at £39 each; eurostar.com
