Located

Located
just off the pedestrian thoroughfare of Rue Montorgueil
in the 2nd arrondissement is Hotel Bachaumont. A hub for discerning bon vivants in
the Upper Marais, the hotel’s modern bistro-style restaurant draws
in a local, trendy crowd, while its two bars – Night Flight and Le
Bar Chaumont – lasso stragglers and latecomers.

A savvy choice for the design lover on a moderate-enough budget,
the hotel makes the most of its art-deco roots. Interior designer
Dorothée Meilichzon (of
Menorca Experimental in Spain,
Hotel des Grands Boulevards in Paris,

Henrietta Hotel in London
and Experimental Beach Ibiza) has fashioned a jazz-age pied-à-terre
that serves the Instagram crowd well, with modern twists on
traditional patterns thrown in for good measure.

Bedrooms

Choose a room with a balcony if you want to feel like a part of
the neighbourhood, or request accommodation towards the back of the
building if you’re craving some peace and quiet. When you’ve
determined whether you’ll be facing north or south, it’s good to
consider room spec, mindful that the Classic Rooms edge toward
cramped. Spring for a Signature Suite, however, and you’ll be
spoiled for space. These loft-style abodes – in which you could
theoretically run laps if the hotel sports room is oversubscribed –
comprise of a living room with a striking Pierre Frey-upholstered
sofa and mismatched pouffes, a marble floor-to-ceiling bar kitted
out with a Nespresso machine, a Marshall speaker and a fridge
stocked with alcoholic delights. One room over, your bedroom is
fitted with a king-size bed backed onto a plush patterned headboard
which extends beyond the bedframe; such proportions are balanced
out with a pair of large, wall-mounted sconces. The suite’s
crowning glory though is the bathroom – it’s vast and comes with a
freestanding, roll-top bathtub (only the two suites have baths),
art-deco tiles in shades of white and pistachio along with twin
sinks.

What’s for breakfast?

Breakfast is served from 7.30am until 10.30am and is not
included in your room rate. Coffee, homemade pastries and conserves
are all in attendance; fresh fruits, cold cuts and cheeses – as per
your standard continental spread – too. Recline in a plush, velvet
armchair and watch the world go by as you tuck into your simple
petit déjeuner, light streaming in from the greenhouse-style roof
right on cue.

How about lunch and dinner?

“Teatime” is from 2.30pm until 7pm, so if the city has gone into
one of its moods, see out the rain and thunderstorms with a
sampling of homemade pastries – think Paris-Brest, macrons and
other butter-laden delights for a well-priced €20. Lunch precedes
tea (served from 12-2.30pm in the Restaurant Bachaumont), but it’s
dinner that gets most of the attention here, and rightly so. Book a
table for 8pm to ensure there is a bit of a hum to the place when
you arrive – if you can, ask for a spot in view of the open kitchen
which is framed by a line-up of copper pots. The chef de cuisine,
Franck Fontaine, presents a menu which places its core focus on
produce – indulge in veal entrecote and the lamb brochettes, adding
a side order of grilled potatoes and organic vegetables to get the
balance of flavours just so. Desserts are whipped up by chef Xavier
Mertz, dubbed “an architect of sweet pleasures” – his
gravity-defying lemon meringue pie justifies such claims.

Is there a bar?

Il y en a deux (that’s “there are two” in French, people). At
Night Flight, the cocktail menu has been composed by former
perfumer-turned-mixologist, Oscar Quagliarini – sip on drinks
inspired by floral scents in the bar’s intimate, velvet-clad
surrounds anytime from 6pm until 2am. Tables are limited so arrive
in good time to save a spot for you and your date/ mate – order
them a “Nuit Blance” (a blend of three types of rum, spices,
fruits, chai tea and coconut water) – they’ll thank you for it. The
second bar, Le Bar Chaumont, is a must-try for oenophiles. Grab a
stool at the horseshoe-shaped, stucco-style bar and swill your way
through the hotel’s wine cellar – all-natural, organic French wines
are standouts on the menu. Partner your choice of vin with some
French tapas courtesy of chef Franck Fontaine.

Amenities

There is a small sports room in the basement for those keen to
counter their croissant consumption over the course of their
stay.

Things you should know

On-site and valet parking are available.

Within a short walk you’ll find…

Right next door to Hotel Bachaumont is Nose, a store which
focuses solely on scent. Drop by for an in-store
consultation-cum-diagnostic test to determine what fragrances and
home scents you’ll like best (based on your fragrance history).
Nose stocks Miller Harris, Acqua di Parma, Penhaligon’s, et al.,
but if the aforementioned suddenly feel old hat, Nose will whip up
a custom scent.