I’ve been to Paris so many times now I’ve lost count. Over the years, I’ve stayed with friends in four different districts, rented apartments, hung my hat in Montmartre and near the Opera and stayed in a variety of hotels and small quaint stays all over the city, my favorites being St. Michel, Saint-Denis, La Chapelle, St. Paul and Bastille, all for different reasons, from shopping and architecture to food and cafes.
When you’re staying in Paris for a stint, you can afford the time to stay a little further out of the city but when you want a romantic escape, you want convenience and luxury with all the conveniences of home.
Below are 3 luxury stays for planning your next trip, all of which are centrally located.
La Maison Favart
You’ll find pure luxury at Maison Souquet, which is hidden behind an understated façade signaled by two red lanterns. The bawdy, wanton legend of the City of Light was forged in the area around Montmartre, a legend of which the Maison Souquet is now part of.
In a building that served as a pleasure house during the Belle Époque, one of the most lavish and licentious pages in the history of Paris has been brought to life.
Photo credits: SLH
Its a hotel of mystery, elegance, exoticism, sensuality, and ostentatious luxury — the architecture and inside decor is breathtaking and memorable at best. Think over the top historical artwork on decadent papered walls, sofas, causeuses, and divans. Its plush in every way from the lounges on the ground floor, to the rooms, suites and their tea-time ritual.
If you opt for an upgraded room, you get private access to the Spa, a bathtub and walk-in shower (rare in Paris), a private entrance and salon, Hermès toiletries & perfume, HD Smart TV, refrigerated private bar, 24-hour in-room dining and Wifi.
Photo credit: AccorHotels
Intimate, you’ll feel like you’re being lavished by the best that Paris has to offer. The Maison Souquet is home to 20 rooms, including six suites, all with unique interiors.
Their Mille et Une Nuits lounge boasts Moorish décor, there’s a garden, and an oh so traditional reading room. There’s also a hidden bar, monumental fireplace, games and rich woodwork. Lastly, for wellness lovers and those who can’t go to Paris without splurging on a spa experience.
Tucked away in a subdued corner of the maison,the Maison Souquet’s spa is the part of the hotel where as they say: “fantasy reigns.”
Reserved exclusively for guests who request the key, the secret spa is decorated with a celestial ceiling whose goldenstars shimmer across a cobalt blue sky. How cool is that? Two thumbs up!
DETAILS:
La Maison Favart
10 rue de Bruxelles
75009 | PARIS
Hotel Regina
This 5 star gem built in 1900 and renovated in 2015, is located in the heart of the opera district and overlooks the Louvre and the Tuileries Gardens.
Combining a subtle blend of traditional French elegance and contemporary comfort, every room in the hotel has been restored to its 19th century splendour.
There are 99 rooms in total; they’re all elegant, luxe and oh so chic and vary in style and size – go for one of the suites if you’re traveling with a family in tow.
The hotel is currently being run by the fourth generation of the same Parisian family, Hotel Regina is both chic and unique and has a bit of history in both culture and arts. For example, the hotel has been featured in more than 12 films, including action thriller Nikita and The Bourne Identity starring Matt Damon since 1980.
Other cool historical data points: Kings Henry III, Henry IV and Louis XIII learned how to ride in the hotels former grounds – when it was a riding school.
Full of graceful decor and period furniture, you’ll feel like you’ve walked into another world with period furniture, and an incredibly spacious bathroom, which is rare in Paris. The staff will also leave you a bowl of fruit and chocolate every day which is a nice touch. The hotel offers both continental and buffet breakfasts and there’s also a typically British Lounge Bar which serves teas and pastries!
The hotel is surrounded by luxury boutiques and museums and the hotel’s interior reflects the elegance of the area and the building itself.
DETAILS:
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
