We don’t know about you, but the thought of being allowed back in Europe has us in a complete Parisian state of mind. We’re unsure how we survived without strolls down rue Saint-Honoré, three-hour lunches at Hotel Costes or a proper night out at Le Montana. We know this much: we don’t ever want to go an entire year without France again. These boutique hotels in Paris have it all going on.
J.K. Place
Why We Like It
Every detail is so highly curated, from the moment you arrive. This is one of the quintessential boutique hotels in Paris. The first foray out of Italy for the Italian hotel group means that the cool authenticity of the Left Bank is mixed with the warmth of the Italian hospitality. The lobby is furnished with a marble fireplace and wall sconces by Jacques Adnet, the famous modernist, which illuminate all sorts of finds from Parisian street markets.
Design is the centerpiece at this Parisian townhouse in the heart of Paris. Each of the 29 rooms is uniquely decorated with treasures from around the world. Hand-made Italian beds, parquet floors and en-suite marble bathrooms create the strong bones of the house. Then there are the added fancy modern amenities like Dyson hair dryers, a subterranean spa and a heated pool, to round it all out.
The Design
Florentine artist, Michele Bonan is responsible for the eye catching masterpiece that is J.K. Place. His team spent three years collecting pieces for the design of the Paris outpost. Bonan, who is known for his exceptional modern design, casts an elegant and sophisticated Italian light over an array of Parisian details. Bonan and owner Ori Kafri have partnered on all of Kafri’s hotels around the world.
The Food
In the morning light, a beautiful, centralized courtyard is where you’ll find tables covered with fig tarts, madeleines, custards, and other classic patisseries. By night, the space transforms into an outpost of Miami’s Casa Tua, by Michelin-starred chef Michele Fortunato. While you may not come to France for pasta, the Italian cuisine is out of this world. We would venture to say it’s one of the best places to find Italian in Paris. Chef Fortunato whips up specials like fresh octopus with olive oil straight from Tuscany and cheesy “Scotch” eggs over carrot puree.
The Details
Instead of stiff-collared staff, the people at J.K. Place make you feel completely at home and special. There is no breakfast menu. Instead, the staff will cater to your any craving. The philosophy is to treat you as part of the family.
La Reserve
Why We Like It
From the outside, the tall building blends in with Paris’ large urban residences. That is, until you spot a red door, which signals you’re in for something special. When you step into La Reserve, there is no doubt you are in Paris. La Reserve is housed in a mansion that is so traditionally French, yet chic, in decor it hurts. It feels like a private club, complete with a smoking lounge and an in-room wine cellar. La Reserve is not only one of the best boutique hotels in Paris, it’s one of a kind.
The Designer
Jacques Garcia, one of France’s most famous designers, brought his A-game when he designed La Reserve in 2014. His goal was to redefine French painter James Tissot’s bourgeoisie flare. To achieve this, Garcia brought rich colors and fabrics, combined with simple rugs and crisp white linens. Garcia’s exceptional styling is decorated on ornate Regency-style bones with intricate woodwork, modeling and cornices modeled on historic styles. Damask wallpaper and ornate frames paired with antique furniture bring Belle Époque design to secluded bedrooms that each have their own muted color palette.
The Food
Le Gabriel, is a two-Michelin-starred gourmet tribute to the city of Paris. Chef Jérôme Banctel’s interpretations of French cuisine in his culinary “score” are incredible. The chef studied under Alain Senderens who taught him the tricks of trade at the famous Lucas-Carton restaurant. But Banctel is no ordinary French chef. His grand classics are infused with lessons he learned from his years spent in Japan.
The Details
La Reserve is high on the romance factor. Whether you’re on your honeymoon or taking a much-needed vacation from everyday life, this is a couples’ getaway. The location is perfect to sneak out to shop, head to the museum or just roam around town.
Hotel Costes
Why We Like It
Hotel Costes is the epitome of the place to see and be seen. It’s everything you want from one of the great boutique hotels in Paris. From the moment you enter, the Costes has vibe. Maybe it’s the roses, or the signature scent, or even the renowned playlists. When the hotel arrived in 1995, it was the leader of grand-scale boutique hotels. It is still just as trendy and coveted a reservation today. Big names like Beyoncé have graced the Costes with their presence, and it’s the place to stay for Paris Fashion Week among fashion royalty.
The most noteworthy update is the new addition. In the midst of the pandemic, Hotel Costes opened its 26-room expansion, next door to the original. It’s a juxtaposition of design, where the owner worked with designer Christian Liaigre to create a white, modern chic vibe to the new hotel. Rooms have white marble baths and gold hardware. Make your Fashion Week reservations now.
The Designer
The original Hotel Costes is another one of Jacques Garcia’s spectacular masterpieces, designed to be an opulent baroque fantasy. Like at La Reserve, you’ll find a mix of flea market finds, red velvet and rich brocade. With Garcia at the helm, the 17th- and 18th-century furnishings give off a a chic bordello vibe.
The Food
The restaurant at Hotel Costes is the place to be, for breakfast, lunch and especially late-night dinner. The DJ sets play till all hours of the night. It’s not just all scene though; the food is a solid good, with classic elevated French cuisine.
The Details
Hotel Costes is the coolest on the block. Supermodels and international celebrities come to Hotel Costes because they know that they can party all night without any paparazzi coming to spoil their fun.
Hotel Marquis Faubourg Saint-Honoré
Why We Like It
This may not be a name that rolls off the tip of your tongue for hotels in Paris, and that’s why we like it. The Hotel Marquis Faubourg isn’t your average Parisian hotel. The Marquis de la Fayette lived in this 18th-century townhouse, way back when. Today, you feel like you’re staying in a small luxury apartment building versus a hotel. Each chamber is uniquely furnished and matches the personalized service each guest receives. There’s no one-size-fits-all here, which is the beauty of a boutique hotel.
With just 15 suites, Marquis Faubourg is more intimate than other boutique hotels in Paris. The rooms are also more spacious and sophisticated than others in the area.
The Designer
This is one of Michele Bonan’s designs, and it shows. Hotel Marquis Faubourg is all about luxury, sophistication, and bespoke details. The hotel escaped refurbishment in the 19th century, which retained its historical character. You’ll find a courtyard and original flooring, as well as a Louis XIV fireplace. All of the furniture is custom made, and the artwork was hand-selected by Bonan himself.
Bookshelves and comfortable furniture create a cozy and comforting place to unwind, but the details are never unintentional. Italian stucco beams designed by Dedar, a designer who worked with Hermès, bring an added layer of design detail.
The Food
While Hotel Marquis Faubourg doesn’t have a fancy five-star restaurant, you are in Paris, so get out and see the world. You are right by the Grand Palais to dine out at some of the city’s most trendy restaurants. The hotel does have a solid breakfast though, which is key to starting the day with croissants and fresh juice.
The Details
If you’re looking to spend a while in Paris, Hotel Marquis Faubourg is perfect, as its uniquely bespoke model caters to you and just a few other guests. You’ll have all the space in the world to really relax in your personalized suite, and the location in the eighth arrondissement is in a quiet but beautiful part of the city. With a library in the building and a laptop in your room, it is the perfect place to come if your trip to Paris must include some remote work.
Hotel Lutetia
Why We Like It
Finally, there is a full-service luxury hotel on the Left Bank. The youth hostel was fine when we were exchange students because the Left Bank was where you could get lost for an entire evening of French nightlife. As a grown-up, though, there wasn’t anywhere to stay for a real luxury experience, until now. The Lutetia is part of the hotel group, The Set, which has some of the best design hotels in the world. Sister properties include The Conservatory in Amsterdam, Hotel Cafe Royal in London and Mamilla Hotel in Jerusalem. Check out our full review on the Lutetia here.
The Designer
International architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte led the three-year restoration of the historic building. He retained the architectural integrity of the landmark’s foundation, but pretty much gut-renovated everything else. The result is a sleek, contemporary hotel that reflects its chic clientele.
The Food
If you’re in Paris for work and have those nights you don’t want to leave the hotel, the Lutetia has you covered. When the hotel returns to pre-pandemic operations, there are three restaurants, two bars and a large courtyard patio that frames the center of the hotel. The food is at the level of excellent, starting with a generous breakfast buffet. We dream of those croissants. The Brasserie Lutetia does everything right, from steak tartare with frites to the raw bar.
The Details
If there’s a place to splurge on a large room, the Lutetia is worth it. Regardless of whether you’re upgrading, though, all the baths are notably grand and border on enormous. The clientele who stay here are the affluently beautiful; it’s a modern, young vibe, while distinctly sophisticated.
