22 September, 2017
It
seems that wherever The Hoxton group take root, a young
creative crowd naturally follow. They’ve just pitched up in
Paris with a
grand mansion block sitting proudly on the 2nd arrondissement in
the regenerated garment district of Sentier. Sitting directly
opposite fashion week haunt Le Fou, the former home to Etienne
Rivié (an advisor to Louis XV) has undergone a magnificent
four-year restoration.
The result? Imposing 18th-century iron columns prop up
300-year-old spiral staircases, striking mosaic tiles line bar
floors and vast, light-filled courtyards take centre stage. With
172 bedrooms and three facade-fronted adjoining buildings, the new
Hoxton Paris is the biggest and
perhaps most stylish addition to the group. By day, the
high-backed, green-velvet bar stools and marble-topped tables are
filled by espresso-slurping freelancers (encouraged by conveniently
placed charging points) who appear somewhat chicer than their
Shoreditch counterparts. By night, the Breton-striped tops are
replaced by Acne Studio silk shirts, elegantly draped over the
mustard sofas enjoying an aperitif. Ensimore’s Creative Studios
tied the final bow and flung open the doors with the finishing
touches, bringing this Parisian home from home together.
Local Parisian design studio Humbert & Payet took control of
the bedrooms with the modern flair and originality we’ve come to
expect. Emerald-green walls and burnt-yellow armchairs sit
side-by-side and Lampe Gras lamps perch atop vintage oak writing
desks for those burning the midnight oil. Offering luxury for less,
without cutting corners, expect high ceilings, courtyard views,
free wifi and a miniature bookshelf offering a selection of
hand-picked books penned by French influencers. Gleaming white
tiles line the bathroom with aesthetically pleasing bronze fittings
and powerful rainforest showers. A word of warning before you hit
the hay; their queen-sized beds and marshmallow-like mattresses
will swallow you whole, meaning hitting the snooze buttons several
times in the morning is pretty unavoidable. Book in a wake up call
at reception just in case.
Before you wake from your slumber, your breakfast bag filled
with fruit and freshly pressed juice will be hanging outside your
door. For something more substantial, head to Rivié for eggs your
way, chia-seed puddings and caffeine fixes from custom La Marzocco
machines.
Seasonal French
cuisine such as the “Hox Monseiur”, steak frites and mushroom
tartine with slow-poached duck egg are served across the open-plan
lobby and courtyard that leads into the main restaurant.
Channelling a modern brasserie with a side order of cool, Rivié
hums with the chatter of an in-the-know, eclectic crowd from dawn
to dusk. You may experience a slight sense of déjà vu, as the
public areas were designed by long-term Hoxton partners Soho
House.
Ascend what will undoubtedly become the most
Instagrammable part of the Hoxton into the intimate lounge bar,
Jacques. The spiral staircase opens up to blush-pink stools, floral
tapestry and sumptuous velvet sofas dotted throughout. Place your
tipple in the hands of the expert mixologist who will create a
custom concoction to suit you. Don’t be alarmed when he slips you a
small note with, not his phone number, but the ingredients he used
to mix your bespoke
cocktail.
Disregarding the age-old suspicion that clouds the number 13,
there’s a surprise waiting for the lucky guests who occupy room
313. Embracing the
architectural quirks of the building, the duplex room opens up
to a shared courtyard with glimpses of the Eiffel Tower.
The hustle of each Hoxton grows organically through their
cleverly picked locations. Paris’s fashion-conscious crowd flock to
Sentier for sophisticated shopping at places like Sézane, but to
take home a taste of Paris head to L’Éclair
de Génie for some
sweet treats.
