Amy Adejokun
Section editor
We were pleasantly surprised with this little 3-star hotel, where the lovely, sophisticated and traditional guest rooms are done out in a truly delightful variety of colours and styles with elegant touches here and there.
Bastille Speria - © EASYVOYAGE
Bastille Speria - © EASYVOYAGE
16/20
This relatively spacious hotel stands on a corner of the Rue de la Bastille, on the boundary of the 4th, 11th and 12th arrondissements. It enjoys a prime location just a few metres from the Place de la Bastille making it a great base from which to explore the typically Parisian surrounding areas, as well as the Bastille district itself, renowned for its lively nightlife and its many restaurants, bars and clubs to suit all tastes. Also just alongside is the Place des Vosges, one of the city's most beautiful squares, with its outstanding ancient architecture and its peaceful surroundings, whilst the historical part of Paris spanning from the Marais to the Tuileries and incorporating various museums, the Louvre and Notre-Dame Cathedral, is just a little further away. The closest metro station is Bastille, where you can hop on one of three metro lines that will take you pretty much anywhere in the city.
The simplicity of the communal areas here is by no means a sign of basic guest rooms. The 42 double rooms here are very appealing indeed and do have a certain charm about them. The 5th and 6th floors, for example, feature beautiful exposed beams, bringing a touch of luxury and prestige to these rooms. The decor differs slightly from one room to the next, although the same colour scheme of chocolate, beige and silky red, along with the very trendy striped carpets, are present throughout. The walls in each room are decked with fabric drapes and the surroundings are actually far more sophisticated than you'd think, making for a very pleasant surprise. The atmosphere in the guest rooms is very intimate and cosy, largely due to the colours used and the clever combination of differently-decorated walls. The dark wooden furniture brings a delicate touch of elegance to the place, and you might also be interested to know that the rooms on the corner of the building have two windows so they enjoy plenty of natural light. Free Wi-Fi is available at the hotel (new for November 2010), along with satellite television, mini-bars in the guest rooms and a selection of international newspapers at reception.
The ambience at the Bastille Spéria is bright, simple, fresh and very welcoming. The ground floor is taken up by the small but very welcoming and comfortable reception lounge, decorated in shades of beige and red. To the rear lies the breakfast room which is naturally-lit by means of a skylight. We really liked the fact that the preserves were served in proper jars, served every morning along with seasonal fruits and various fresh pastries fresh from the neighbouring baker's oven! There is also a small business corner equipped with a computer and a printer.
Behind an austere façade is concealed a pleasant little hotel.
Whether you consider it as a country lodge or King Louis XIII's abode, the Castex's main asset is its traditional setting a mere stone's throw away from Place de la Bastille.
A small, fairly intimate hotel in a young, dynamic part of the city which hides plenty of surprises. The basic yet extremely charming little guest rooms all feature parquet flooring, just one of the elements which bring a touch of luxury to the place.
This extraordinary hotel stands on Place des Vosges, one of Paris's most beautiful squares, which unravels just at the foot of the hotel, inviting its guests to a little stroll. This hotel has many assets, such as a very green inner courtyard, extreme comfort in the common areas and discreet luxury. The decoration manages to unite the old and venerable building with present-day fashion, which interprets French classics.
This hotel is a lovely surprise at the heart of Paris, and so is its superb, luxuriant inner terrace, which is the perfect place for breakfast.
This is a very beautiful hotel located in a 17th century building next to the Place des Vosges. The communal spaces bring to mind the age-old origins of the place, while the guest rooms are very attractively decorated in a more modern, uncluttered style.
This very comfortable hotel with an appearance both retro and chic boasts an interesting history along with stylish rooms each with their own original touch.
A large, attractive terrace
This is a hotel full of French style in which no copies or reproductions will be tolerated. The Bristol is one of the few luxury hotels in Paris that belongs to a European family (German) rather than one of the great families of Asia or the United Arab Emirates. Stylish, classy and refined, the Bristol holds great importance in the quality and authenticity of its features and materials. Its gourmet restaurant attracts a demanding clientele that is fond of excellent cuisine.
The George V is one of the most prestigious Parisian palaces in the city. You barely have to cross the threshold before realising you are entering a hotel in which luxury, perfection and indulgence are the name of the game. Boasting rooms fit for a princess, impressive lounges and a Michelin-starred restaurant, the George V ticks all the boxes when it comes to satisfying even the most demanding of guests. The interior designer Pierre Yves Rochon oversaw the complete refurbishment of the building in 1997, and has since then continued to make improvements to the decor in the 18th Century style.
The latest Parisian palace to open its doors on 1 August 2014. The French chic and sophistication goes perfectly with the Asian elegance in the magnificent building dating from 1908. This is the Peninsula Group's first hotel to open in France but also in Europe.
The latest Parisian luxury hotel, the Shangri-La will seduce a demanding clientele that will know how to appreciate the richly ornate Empire style of this particular hotel. Nothing more can be said about the lengths taken to find the materials, designs, and other accessories that contribute to recreating the atmosphere of the 19th century, while at the same time offering the comfort and modernity of the 21st century. This extremely shiny and ornate Empire style may scare away some potential guests, however, it is still a real privilege to stay in this residence previously owned by a prince, the great nephew of Napoleon.
It took five Haussmanian buildings to bring the Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme into existence, and it is the first luxury hotel in Paris to be designed in a contemporary fashion. Comfort, style and impeccable service all come together here in a younger, more modern setting.
Inaugurated on 28 February 2012, the W Paris - Opera has finally opened in the City of Light. The Starwood brand linked to fashion and trends thus has its own prestigious establishment in Paris.
Nestled in a 19th century building, the hotel is in a great location. Design and modernity, with a conceptual touch, all come together here. Its designer is in the best position to explain why, since we're not sure it's really clear otherwise, but the W Paris-Opera is centred around the theme The Spark. The establishment thus defines itself as a "spark", creating a fictitious connection between the very first W hotel in New York and its newest sibling in Paris.
At the heart of the Opera district, the W can already rely on its guests who are fans of the brand and hopes that word of mouth will make it the place to be in the area; not just for its rooms but for its restaurant and bar as well.
Confidentiality is the order of the day at this very upmarket establishment, perfect for VIPs looking for a little discretion, and private events are also held here.
The Meurice is one of Paris's best addresses. With its contemporary yet quintessentially Parisian décor realised by great names such as Stark and his daughter. The Meurice is an exclusive haunt. the hotel's main restaurant, Le Meurice, is headed by 3 Michelin star Chef Yannick Alléno which is, needless to say, one of the highlights of a stay at the hotel. In a fantastic location right opposite the Jardin des Tuileries, the rooms are tastefully decorated and the service is impeccable.