The effortlessly chic Parisian district of Saint Germain-des-Pres has a radical new occupant: Le Montana Hotel. Entrepreneur Jean-Yves Le Fur recently unveiled this brand-new statement hotel and restaurant, housed above his famed Montana nightclub. It is easily identifiable – look for the striking black seven-story building with the red neon sign – and prepare yourself for what is to be found inside. The black façade belies the vibrant, eccentric interior, conceptualised by architect-designer duo Elizabeth Lemercier and Vincent Darré. Just a single suite occupies each floor (making 6 in total), each with individual, abstract themes, inspired by various Parisian figures and eras. The concept is to make each room feel less like a hotel suite, and more like a spacious, eccentric apartment. Themes include “Blue Acide” - paying homage to Braque and Picasso with panels hand-painted by Atelier Poulallion - and “Mirror D’Argent”, with 70s inspired décor and aluminium walls. Meanwhile, the restaurant, Le Gauche Caviar, serves a Russian-inspired menu featuring copious amounts of caviar.
Launching in one of Paris’ most enviable locations (the heart of the 1st arrondisement, with the Place Vendome, Louvre and the Opera next door), Le Roch Hotel & Spa is the new kid on the block and has been conceptualised and designed as a home-away-from-home by acclaimed French interior designer Sarah Lavoine. Her aim is to create a sanctuary from the bustling life of Parisian streets outside, and attention has been paid to every element across the hotel in order to ensure this. The 37 rooms, featuring a soft, clean colour palette and contemporary, uncluttered design are equipped with state-of-the-art amenities and private hammam steam baths. The hotel’s spa, with its must-try signature house treatment (75 minutes of head-to-toe massage bliss), boasts a private pool and large hammam; other features include a sunlit courtyard, peaceful library, and a restaurant headed by Michelin-starred chef Arnaud Faye, focused mainly on serving vegetarian tapas dishes. Together, these features (many of which are exquisite rarities in central Paris) work to transform the hotel into a hideaway with a welcoming, warm, intimate atmosphere.
After a four-year renovation, iconic The Ritz hotel’s hotly anticipated re-opening certainly did not disappoint. Major technical, functional and internal renovations and essential upgrades have been carried out discreetly, allowing for an altogether more modern and indulgent stay, whilst preserving the hotel’s old-world elegance and distinctive charm. Indeed, much appears to be the same – Bar Hemingway’s Colin Field, for instance, remains head barman (albeit with a revamped cocktail list). Yet much has also changed, and now The Ritz can boast of a number of new additions: retractable roofs for the terrace where Bar Vendome and L’Espandon are situated, making them usable year-round; the new Salon Proust - an ornate, oak-panelled room for guests to partake in French afternoon tea; the world’s first Chanel spa – a one-of-a-kind, featuring 7 treatment rooms, and a previously unopened, re-landscaped idyllic French garden inspired by the parks of Versailles.
Set under a glass canopy, Restaurant Eugene Eugene wows with its airy, bright dining room aims to replicate the atmosphere of a laid-back country home. The interior is filled with plants and hanging greenery; tranquil rustic terraces and mini fruit, vegetable and herbal gardens decorate the outdoors, offering an escape from the sights and sounds of the city. The restaurant offers authentic, seasonal and simple but delicious European fare in a relaxed, tranquil countryside setting – perfect for brunch if securing a dinner reservation is proving fruitless.
Images
Image 1: Hotel Le Montana
Image 2: Le Roch Hotel & Spa
Image 3: Hotel Le Ritz
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