the times Saturday April 4 2015

Travel 23

Travel

Page
35

Arabian architecture and

whitewashed riads give
Essaouira a fairytale charm
Lesley Thomas gets some early sun in Morocco

The Shangri-La in the

16th arrondissement
(2). Below, Saint
James Paris (1)

20 most romantic hotels in Paris

From elegant boudoirs to chic rooms for less than 100 a night,
Carolyn Boyd picks the best hotels in the city of love
Luxury (more than
300 a night)
1 Saint James Paris, 16th
arrondissement

For wooing with wow factor, try the

fabulous Saint James Paris: this stunning
chteau close to the heart of the city was
built on the site of Pariss airfield, from

which hot-air balloons used to take off.

This history is reflected in the hotels
character-filled decor. The sumptuous
building features a grand staircase, a
library-bar and a gorgeous dining room.
With its 48 individually styled rooms, a
spa and a Michelin-starred restaurant,
the Saint James Paris will sweep you off
your feet.
Details Doubles cost from 370 (270)
per night, breakfast from 29 (00 33 1

44 05 81 81, saint-jamesparis.com, Metro: Porte

Dauphine)

2 Shangri-La, 16th

If you can tear yourself away from

its heart-stopping view of the Eiffel
Tower, the Shangri-La will pamper
you in classic Parisian style. The newly
restored hotel was the residence of

Napoleon Bonapartes grandnephew

Roland, and the hotel embraces its past.
With a grand staircase, and salons
that boast amazing neoclassical
friezes, it also has an elegant
swimming pool and treatment
rooms in the former stables.
Details The Parisian Romance
package starts at 740 per
night for a double and includes
breakfast and a welcome bottle
of champagne (00 33 1 53 67 19
98, shangri-la.com, Metro: Ina)

3 Htel Plaza
Athne, 8th

How about a glass of champagne on the

balcony of one of the French capitals W

the times Saturday April 4 2015

24 Travel Paris special

14

most luxurious hotels? Youll be staring at

one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower
that Paris has to offer. Renovated in 2014,
the Plaza Athnes 208 rooms and suites
boast the opulent interiors you would
expect from a palace hotel that shares its
address Avenue Montaigne with
some of the worlds most chic fashion
boutiques. If it seems familiar, picture
Sarah Jessica Parker flouncing into its
lobby and youll be reminded of its role in
the last episode of Sex and the City.
Meanwhile, Alain Ducasses restaurant,
with decor teleported from the 23rd
century, has to be seen to be believed.
Details Doubles cost from 1,320,
breakfast from 44 (00 33 1 5367 6667,
dorchestercollection.com, Metro:
Alma-Marceau)

4 Royal Monceau, 8th

If youre in the mood to play the

troubadour and serenade your lover
through the night, the Royal Monceau is
for you. Each of its elegant rooms has an
acoustic guitar, so you can croon away to
your partners hearts delight (or not).
The rooms are adorned with works of
art and Philippe Starck is the talent
behind all the hotels design. Couples can
enjoy a pamper deux in the Clarins spa,
which offers a double massage booth,
followed by a private cinema screening
in the comfort of love seats. Before or
after dinner, enjoy a cocktail in one of
the intimate alcoves in Le Bar Long.
Details Doubles cost from 780,
breakfast from 44 (00 33 1 42 99 88
00, www.leroyalmonceau.com,
Metro: Ternes)

5 One by the Five, 5th

Take your beloved to heaven, or

somewhere thereabouts, at One by the
Five, a single-suite hotel run by the
nearby Five Hotel. The floating bed is
suspended in mid air under a ceiling of
fibre-optic stars. You also have use of a
boudoir, three bathrooms, a dance floor,
a lounge and a terrace where you can sip
the house special Love Elixir made in
your personal cocktail bar. If you get
hungry, order room service from the
main hotel. While the red velvet and
mirrors may be an acquired taste, the
suite has that je ne sais quoi.
Details The suite costs from 365,
breakfast 15 (00 33 1 43 31 52 31,
onebythefive.com, Metro: Les Gobelins)

6 LHotel, 6th

This bijou hotel at the heart of the Left

Bank was the final residence of Oscar
Wilde. Then it was a down-at-heel sort
of place, but today it couldnt be more
different. Jacques Garcia was at the helm
for its redesign and its 20 colourful
rooms boast lavish velvets, beautifully
patterned wallpapers and characterful
furniture. For an intimate soire, its
wonderful bar (a favourite haunt of

Johnny Depp) is the perfect place, while

the tiny basement pool and hammam
can be booked exclusively for two.
Details Doubles cost from 325 with
breakfast (00 33 1 44 41 99 00,
l-hotel.com, Metro: Saint-Germain
des Prs)

7 W Paris-Opra, 9th

Space comes at a premium in Paris, so

take advantage of that fact and book one
of the Ws Cozy rooms, which play on
the intimacy of a smaller area. With
decor that draws on both the classic
Parisian Haussmann architecture and
cutting-edge design, it has plush carpets,
a large bay window from which to look
on to the street (or to stare at the stars)
and a 40in TV to make it the ideal place
for getting up close and personal. If all
that sounds a little claustrophobic, the
hotel offers rooms at the other end of
the scale: the Extreme Wow suite covers
88 sq m, has an enormous round bed
and a separate lounge and dining room.
Details Doubles cost from 340
including breakfast (00 33 1 77 48 94 94,
wparisopera.com, Metro: Opra)

Mid range
(150-300 a night)
8 Hotel Sezz, 16th

When it comes to personal service, this

hip design hotel not far from the
Trocadero breaks the rules: instead of a
traditional reception desk, you are
welcomed by a personal assistant who
offers a welcome drink and caters to
your every whim (within reason). Behind
the classic Haussmann faade, this
hotels 26 rooms offer bold, edgy design
with grey stone and dark wood, set off by
deep-pile rugs in red or mustard. Some
of the suites have baths made for two
and many of the rooms have peek-a-boo
glass screens that separate the bedroom
and the bathroom.
Details Doubles cost from 290,

breakfast from 18 (00 33 1 56 75 26 26,

paris.hotelsezz.com, Metro: Passy)

9 Hotel Bourg Tibourg, 4th

A stay at this bijou boutique hotel

squirrelled away in the Marais is like
stepping into a jewellery box. Designed
by Jacques Garcia, the 30 intimate rooms
feature antique furniture, vintage
treasures and luxurious fabrics. Oriental
touches and scented candles add to the
ambience. For a romantic evening for
two, borrow one of the Bourg Tibourgs
classic film DVDs and ask for popcorn.
Details Doubles cost from 290,
breakfast 20 (00 33 1 42 78 47 39,
bourgtibourg.com, Metro: Htel de Ville)

10 Kube Bar & Hotel, 18th

With its reception set in a large glass

cube in the courtyard, Kube Bar & Hotel
is designed to be modernist and fun from
the moment you enter. Its 41 open-plan
rooms offer all mod cons, including
plasma TVs, CD and DVD players, and
are bright and a little sparse. Kubes
restaurant, however, is dark and
intimate, making it the perfect place to
canoodle. There is also the ideal excuse
to snuggle up with your lover: an ice bar
offering vodka cocktails in ice glasses at
a temperature of -10C.
Details Doubles cost from 169
including breakfast (00 33 1 42 05 20
00, kubehotel-paris.com, Metro:
La Chapelle)

11 Htel des Saint Pres, 6th

A trip to Paris isnt complete without
taking in some of the citys art treasures.
At the Htel des Saint Pres, you dont
need to leave your bed to do so. In the
Fresco room, the entire ceiling is a 17thcentury work by the cole de Versailles.
Its 37 other rooms also offer impressive
paintings set off by tasteful and elegant
decor. If you can tear yourself away, the
Louvre is a short walk across the Seine.
Details Doubles cost from 230,

breakfast 18 (00 33 1 45 44 50 00,

paris-hotel-saints-peres.com,
Metro: Saint-Germain des Prs)

12 Hotel 123 Sebastopol, 2nd

If your choice for a hot date is the
cinema, look no further than this
fantastic movie-themed hotel just a few
metres from the famous cinema Le
Grand Rex. The lobby is decorated with
cinema posters, a hall of fame and a
popcorn machine and the reception sits
beneath an illuminated billboard. The
themed bedrooms have been designed
by such cinematic glitterati as film-score
composer Ennio Morricone and Csaraward-winning actress Elsa Zylberstein,
and are modern and a lot of fun. If you
want to pull out the stops for a cinephile
partner, the hotels projection room can
be booked for a private viewing.
Details Doubles cost from 195
including breakfast (00 33 1 40 39 61 23,
le123sebastopol.com, Metro:
Raumur-Sbastopol)

13 Htel des Acadmies et

des Arts, 6th

At the heart of the Left Bank, this stylish

boutique hotel celebrates the culture of
this famously creative district. With 20
rooms over five floors, the decor makes
for a passionate weekend: the bohemian
Comedienne rooms boast huge red
velvet headboards, while the bijou
Parisienne Left Bank rooms each have
one of Jrme Mesnagers seductive
White Body series of paintings. For a
romantic evening, draw up a chair by
the roaring fire and order a drink.
Details Doubles cost from 180,
breakfast 16 (00 33 1 43 26 66 44,
hotel-des-academies.com, Metro: Vavin)

14 Les Dames du
Panthon, 6th

If youre looking for a hotel for that

special person in your life, look no

the times Saturday April 4 2015

Paris special Travel 25

elegant bedrooms offer padded
headboards also adorned with crystals,
and the curtains are decorated with
silhouettes of scantily-clad females. It
might sound a little OTT, but its
surprisingly roomy and comfortable, and
is in a handy location for walking to the
Champs-lyses.
Details Doubles cost from 109
including breakfast if you book online
(00 33 1 44 70 02 00,
hotel-opera-diamond.com, Metro: SaintAugustin)

17 Htel Saint-Jacques, 5th

With its crystal chandeliers, draped

curtains, canopied beds and gilt mirrors,
the Hotel Saint-Jacques oozes romance.
So much so that it famously played a
starring role in the classic Audrey
Hepburn movie Charade, and photos of
the 1963 film shoot are displayed on the
staircase down to the breakfast room.
The hotel is at the heart of the Latin
Quarter, and its 36 individually
decorated rooms offer either a balcony
or large windows, while some have a
view over the Panthon or Notre Dame.
Details Doubles cost from 95,
breakfast 14 (00 33 1 44 07 45 45,
paris-hotel-stjacques.com, Metro:
Maubert-Mutualit)

18 Hotel de Nesle, 6th

The moment you enter the Aladdins

cave that is the reception of the Htel de
Nesle, also in the Latin Quarter, you
know youve found somewhere special.
While the reception is crammed full of
bric--brac and objets dart, the 20 rooms
(nine of which are en suite) each carry a
different theme; so take your pick from
Ancient Egypt, the Sahara, Victor Hugos
Notre Dame de Paris, Molire and a host
of others. The hotel doesnt serve
breakfast, but what better excuse to
wander out into Saint-Germain for a
caf crme and a croissant?
Details Doubles cost from 75
(00 33 1 43 54 62 41,
hoteldenesleparis.com, Metro:
Odon)

further than Les Dames du Panthon

which is inspired by the spirit of some of
the great women in French history.
Using a mix of vintage and retro
furniture and decor, each of the six
floors draws on the life of a different
notable woman, or group of
women. Those who are looking
for romance should check in to
the rooms decorated in pinks
and reds and inspired by the
boudoirs of Les Cocottes
the 19th-century courtesans
who seduced the aristocracy
of the period.
Details Doubles cost from
200, breakfast 17
(00 33 1 43 54 32 95,
hotellesdamesdupantheon.com,
Metro: Luxembourg)

10

For sophistication all mixed

in with a bit of sauciness,
book a stay at the Hotel
Sublim Eiffel. Everything is
inspired by the worlds most
romantic city; there are mapdesign carpets and lots of
emblematic Eiffel Towers. With its
15
low lighting, soft music and striking
colours, it would be hard not to be
swayed, or at least amused, by its
atmosphere. A hammam and massages
are available in the spa area.
Details Doubles cost from 109,
breakfast from 14 (00 33 1 40 65 95 95,
sublimeiffel.com, Metro: SvresLecourbe)

Budget
(less than 150 a night)
15 Montmartre Mon
Amour, 18th

The name says it all at this very

reasonably priced boutique hotel in the
heart of Montmartre. Each of its 24
rooms offers modern, colourful decor
and celebrates romance in all its forms.
The eight deluxe rooms each focuses on
a famous French couple, including dith
Piaf and Marcel Cerdan, and Jean-Paul
Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir,
with photographic murals and
famous quotes.
Details Doubles cost from 119,
breakfast 15 (00 33 1 46 06 03 03,
hotelmontmartremonamour.com,
Metro: Chteau Rouge)

16 Htel Opra
Diamond, 8th
13

19 LHtel Sublim
Eiffel, 15th

If diamonds are your girls best friend,

whisk her off to this unusual love nest.
Many of the walls throughout this Best
Western hotel are black and studded
with crystals, while the plush and

20 Idol Hotel, 8th

Need to
know
Eurostar (03432 186 186,
eurostar.com) has
returns to Paris from
69. The journey time is
2 hours 15 minutes

When searching for a romantic bolthole,

how can you look past a hotel that
names its rooms Light My Fire, Give Me
the Night and My Chrie Amour? If you
detect a musical undertone to this
playful attitude, youre right: the whole
place is designed around a jazz, soul and
funk theme. A disco vibe infuses its
gloriously kitsch decor, with bright
colours and bold patterns. The hotel
opened last December and is already
wait for it hitting the right note with
visitors to the city.
Details Doubles cost from 142,
breakfast from 17 (00 33 1 45 22 14 31,
idolhotelparis.com, Metro: Europe)
Carolyn Boyd is editor of
France Magazine

Apartments deux: the

best stays in the city
Views of Notre Dame
from the Left Bank
Watch the sun set over
Notre Dame from the
balcony, then snuggle up
on the sofa and gaze out
over the Seine at this
designer apartment on
the Quai des Grand
Augustins, all white
floors and walls with
bursts of colour in wall
canvases and cushions.
The Louvre is a
ten-minute walk away.
As is usual with
one of Onefinestays
properties, it comes
with hotel-standard
toiletries, towels and
linens, a phone
concierge, and an
iPhone with local
information and for
local calls.
Details From 220 per
night, with a minimum
three-night stay
(0800 6124377,
onefinestay.com)
One-bedroom loft near
Rue Montorgueil
As Parisian lofts go, this
one-bedroom apartment
has to be one of the most
stunning weve seen, with
an amazing vaulted
ceiling and functioning
fireplace. Its on the fifth
floor and theres no lift,
but once you get there
youll be wowed by the
stylish decor and vintage
ornaments. Its also
within walking distance
of Montorgueil and the
Palais-Royal.
Details From 127 a
night, with a five-night
minimum stay
(airbnb.co.uk/rooms/
162670)
Stay above a bakers
in the Marais
Its easy to rustle up
breakfast in the
king-sized bed in this
swish modern apartment
you just follow the
delicious aromas down
the stairs to the bakers
shop. Youll find all the
small details of a five-star
hotel here, from posh
toiletries in the bathroom
to an umbrella in the
cupboard. The metro

station of SaintSbastien-Froissart is
just outside.
Details From 140 a
night, with a two or
three-night minimum
stay, depending on
the season
(homeaway.co.uk,
reference 876170a)
See the Eiffel Tower from
your balcony
Views of the Tower dont
come much better than
from the balcony of this
one-bedroom apartment
in the 7th arrondissement.
On the eighth floor, the
modern flat with a kingsized bed has been
elegantly decorated, with
wooden floors, a kitchen
with all mod cons, and
both wi-fi and airconditioning. Mind you,
with views like that, wed
recommend keeping the
windows open.
Details From 152 a night
(wimdu.co.uk/offers/
43DEG5AS)
Champs lyses and
great views
Parisian style screams
from every corner of this
chic apartment on
Avenue de Malakoff near
the Champs lyses in the
16th arrondissement.
Stripped parquet floors,
white furniture and a
restored fireplace all
feature. Better still, theres
a balcony with views of
the Bois de Boulogne,
perfect for a glass of wine
on a sunny evening. Its
not cheap, but apartments
for rent dont come much
better than this.
Details From 695 a
night (0800 6124377,
onefinestay.com)
Jane Knight

Alain Ducasse
on the best
budget places
to eat in Paris
times.co.uk/travel