The Chicest Hotel Bars in Paris
05 January, 2018
The
Paris
hotel scene has been moving away from traditional formulas in
recent years. This reflects modern expectations of hospitality;
with greater opportunity to travel, people are not only open to
trying different things but expect that bit more – both abroad and
at home. French hoteliers have taken note and are creating
aspirational spaces with unique design concepts, solid cocktail
game, beautiful furniture and gastronomical prowess rolled into
one. This has sparked a trend of young Parisian professionals
flocking to hotel bars and restaurants for after-work fun – join
them at our favourite haunts.
hotel
Hotel National des Arts et Métiers
Paris, France
The new kid on the block opened its doors this summer. Located
between the Marais and Rue Montorgueil, the hotel is already
helping the 3rd arrondissement rediscover its bourgeois roots.
Designer Raphael Navot has created a beautiful space that unites
craftsmanship with raw materials. Granite floors, velvet sofas and
scorched-wood surfaces give the hotel an industrial-chic ambiance –
no doubt a respectful nod to the Centre National des Arts et
Métiers, the engineering institution just across the street.
The Herbarium Bar throws traditional cocktail menus out of the
window and proposes drinks inspired by perfumes that use spices,
flowers and botanical herbs. Nibble on Venetian-inspired tapas
dishes as you note how the dimmed lighting and leather bar counter
make you feel like film noir extra. The Ristorante Nationale offers
an Italian experience in an exquisite setting of calming blues.
Choose from between creamy burrata, roasted sea bass and delectable
pasta dishes. The pièce de résistance? A rooftop bar with a
hard-to-beat views of the city.
bar
Grand Pigalle Hotel
Paris, France
Down the hill from Montmartre, you’ll find one of today’s most
desirable neighbourhoods of South Pigalle – “SoPi” to locals.
Situated on the corner of a particularly animated street, the first
hotel venture from Experimental Group – the team behind some of the
best cocktails in the city – opened in 2015.
The former hotel and pharmacy has been given a design facelift
by Dorothée Meilichzon, a long-time collaborator with Experimental.
You’ll soon notice her weak spot for elegant mirrors, but look out
for some quirky touches such as wine glass carpets and pineapple
door knockers too.
Upon entering, the first thing you’ll clock is the impressive
size of the bar, which takes up significantly more space than the
hotel reception area. Come here to have a good time; there’s a
welcoming and casual atmosphere, as well as a constant stream of
young Parisians filing through the door. Settle into one of the
black-leather chairs, or the soft grey-velvet sofas, before
enjoying a classic cocktail. Sample Italian cheese and charcuterie
plates, washed down with one of the 200 Italian wines on offer.
hotel
Hotel Bachaumont
Paris, France
Rue Bachaumont is a charming and quiet street, located in the
2nd arrondissement of Paris. On nearby Rue Montorgueil, you can rub
shoulders with Parisian locals picking up a baguette from the local
boulangerie. Hotel Bachaumont fits in with its neighbours; an
upscale hair salon (Christophe Robin), a trendy Cevicheria
restaurant (La Cevicheria) and a heady perfume boutique (Nose).
The hotel’s rebirth in 2016 (the original closed in the 1970s)
provided a dream design opportunity, led by architect du jour
Dorothée Meilichzon and resulting in a sumptuous art-deco creation.
Head to the seductive Flight Night bar, with its dark wooden walls
and comfortable sofas. Drag yourself away from these intimate
surroundings to savour some French classics in the hotel’s
contemporary brasserie, where you’ll feel like a part of the action
thanks to the open kitchen.
bar
The Hoxton
Paris, France
This late 2017 addition to the city’s hotel portfolio is
achingly cool and extremely photogenic, with a rococo façade
leading the building to be referred to as a “monument historique”.
The Hoxton’s original carnation was an 18th-century city mansion in
the heart of Paris’ industrial quarter, and the building’s history
is discernible as soon as you spot the two 300-year-old staircases
in the lobby and bar.
The Hoxton has purposely been designed so that visitors forget
they are in a hotel. Get cosy with a cocktail in the Jacques’ Bar –
inspired by the Majorelle Garden in Marrakech – with its sweet
bespoke cocktail menu. Blush-pink poufs, tasselled lamps,
comfortable armchairs and floral wallpaper make it easy on the eye
and a relaxed location for catching up with friends.
Alternatively, head to their neo-brasserie Rivié that offers an
updated take on a French bistro. Plush, velvet banquette-style
seating mixes with marble tops and design-led lighting. The menu
offers French inspired small plates and main courses, such as
terrine with roasted pear or snail toast. Finish with coffee in the
Winter Garden, which boasts a lush wall of greenery.
hotel
Hotel Particulier Montmartre
Paris, France
Le Très Particulier bar is joined to Hôtel Particulier, a
19th-century townhouse tucked away in the Montmartre neighbourhood.
Run by fresh-faced Oscar Comtet, responsible for opening the bar
and restaurant (Le Mandragore) spaces in 2011, you’ll be be
surrounded by in-the-know locals.
To access the Pierre Lacroix-designed conservatory cocktail bar,
take the stairs on the right at the end of the garden path.
Successfully mixing design details of tropical leaves,
black-and-white chequered floor tiles and scarlet banquettes,
there’s a distinctly otherworldly vibe that feels far removed from
Paris. Once spring arrives, the tranquil garden is the place to be
– the only noise you’ll hear is the occasional clink of pétanque
balls coming from the locals next-door.
Sip on cocktails named after film or literature classics – get
competitive and see how many references you catch.
hotel
Le Roch Hotel & Spa
Paris, France
Le Roch is an oasis not far from the hustle and bustle of The
Louvre. It opened its doors to the public in July 2017, although
the building dates back to the 19th century. French designer Sarah
Lavoine collaborated with architect Vincent Bastie, creating an
elegant home away from home with a relaxed vibe.
Before you order your drink at the bar, take a moment to visit
the library, dining room and courtyard garden, which highlight
Lavoine’s signature style of clean lines. Relish the colour palette
of peacock blue, sage and teal, and note the thick carpets
underfoot – a nod to the weaving style of the Berber tribes of
North Africa. Sink into the sofas by the fireplace, where attentive
staff contribute will leave you in no doubt as to why this
quintessentially Parisian address is proving so popular.
hotel
Hôtel Panache
Paris, France
The second offering from Adrien Gloaguen (he opened Le Paradis
in 2012) Hotel Panache is located in the spirited 9th
arrondissement and provides a haven from the multitude of crowded
theatres, auction houses and restaurants. Designer Dorothée
Meilichzon has embraced the geometric shape of the building,
injecting touches of modernity into the communal spaces with
beautiful mirrors and blown-glass lamps.
The spacious bar and dining restaurant areas seamlessly flow
into one another, featuring bold patterns that blend with an
understated colour spectrum. Prop yourself against the art
nouveau-inspired bar, which combines dark walnut wood with white
marble and brass. Choose from the refreshing house cocktail (Suze,
gin, lemon, cucumber, mint), an Apérol spritz (served with
champagne for a French twist) or a selection of British beers. If
you do stick around for dinner, be sure to leave some room for the
chocolate mousse.