It’s only been recently that the Left Bank has gotten some notable hotel love. There was a whole decade when it was cool to hang on the left, but you always stayed on the right. Well, the tables are turning, and J.K. Place, of the famed Italian hotelier, has opened a Paris outpost — rive gauche. Here’s the review of JK Place Paris.
Overview
The romanticized version of boutique hotels, with their charm an authenticity, is what drives some people to travel. However, more times than not, boutique hotels in Paris meant a compromise on facilities and infrastructure. This was especially true if they were on the Left Bank. There was always something – older bathrooms, water pressure, sound proofing, the shabby carpet – that you wrote off as part of the authentic experience.
Well, thankfully, things are finally a-changing in Paris. A slew of boutique hotels have arrived, where full-service, luxury and authentic intersect. The Italian hotel portfolio, JK Place Paris arrived last year on the Left Bank, right around the corner of the Musee d’Orsay. And with its arrival, came a very chic, refined and elegant crowd. With just 29 rooms and a to the nines designed Parisian home, JK Place Paris is all about the details. Every pillow, coffee table book and piece of furniture create a high-design environment. If you like intimate hotels, interior decor and elegant, Italian-like hospitality, JK Place Paris is worth a look.
The Vibe
The clientele matches the atmosphere. In fact, many of them are devotees who stay at the JK Place in Capri. It’s an elegant crowd; they expect high service but it’s not about entitlement. There are no brash displays of wealth but people here are best-dressed, but in a way that they’re not there to impress anyone. Like the atmosphere, the guests at JK Place Paris are effortlessly, confidently, who they are. It’s refreshing, from the larger hotels, while favorite places to stay, to be in an environment where people are just cool. The vibe here is home away from home. You come and go as if you are staying at with a wealthy Parisian friend who inherited a boat load of family money, but is down-to-earth. While the building is classic, the decor is contemporary modern. You have no problem sitting on the furniture and having a good time with friends.
The Food
The food is by the famed Casa Tua group, that has restaurants from Miami to Aspen, and now in Paris. The quality of the food is very good, as you would expect, though it is Parisian portion-sized. Also the menu is limited (we hope it will expand with time) so expect perfectly executed club sandwiches, a small selection of pastas and a few mains. People don’t seem to mind though as the lunch and early dinner are buzzing. Food service ends early though, as when you return home at an early Parisian midnight, the hotel is quiet enough to hear a pin drop. The scene here is more during the day.
The Rooms
For even the basic rooms, we were impressed by how spacious 400+ square feet feels at JK Place Paris. Paris hotels in general are petite, but like the common spaces, every detail is full tilt in the rooms. They define jewel boxes. The carpeting is this deep turquoise blue that you don’t see every day (or ever). The rooms feel fresh, clean, modern and rich. The colors go together in JK style, customized for Paris, with black marble baths and showers that are super luxurious. No issues with water pressure, or anything here. Even the toilet paper holders are designed to slide into the walls, hidden from sight. Closets are luxurious dressing rooms, and inspire you to fill them with Dior. Beds are sublime and get ready for deep, uninterrupted sleep.
The Service
If it’s a busy time, the pre-arrival service may give you a little pause to wonder what you signed up for. However the moment you roll up to the entrance, it’s full, authentic, warm hospitality. Even the security guy at the interior door (who you wouldn’t mess with) is elegant and gives you a nice “Bienvenue”. Their team has style; you would take a restaurant recommendation from any of them. Like the vibe is cool, the people are cool too. But not too cool for school and no snooty Parisian service here. Once you’re on property they try their very best to make your stay special. At times there’s a little disconnect between the Casa Tua team and the hotel, but as they say in Paris, “Ce n’est pas grave”.
Overall: 8/10.
You may not stay here every visit to Paris but you would return often enough to be a regular.
FAQs
Q: When are the check-in and check-out times at JK Place Paris?
A: Check-in is at 3p.m., and check-out is at noon.
Q: How close is the hotel to the Eiffel Tower?
A: JK Place Paris is 3 km (1.9 miles) from the Eiffel Tower.
Q: Is there Wi-Fi?
A: Yes, rooms come with high-speed internet access.
Q: Does JK Place Paris have a pool?
A: Yes, there is an indoor pool, but no hot tub.
JK Place Paris Information
Address: 82 Rue de Lille, 75007 Paris, France
Phone number: +33 1 40 60 40 20
