Open since 1979, the Relais Christine is still a true hidden gem in Paris. Located on the city’s famous Left Bank, the hotel has been gradually refurbished over the last two years, making now the perfect time for StyleNest to pay a visit.
Visitors to the Relais Christine will find the hotel discreetly tucked away through a small courtyard on rue Christine, in the upmarket area of Saint Germain-des-Pres. Although nearby are many of Paris’s most famous sites, including the River Seine and Notre-Dame just a short walk away, the street provides a peaceful location for the hotel, which prides itself on providing an intimate and private stay.
As a small boutique hotel, the service is as expected warm, friendly and intimate, and we were greeted upon arrival by the lovely Maren, who explained all we needed to know about the hotel during our stay and gave us a brief tour. The first thing we noticed were the surprisingly large living room and library area, which have been lavishly redesigned in the recent refurbishment by celebrated interior stylist Laura Gonzalez. It was hard not to be impressed, with an opulent colour palette of royal purples, emerald green, and gold, large plush sofas decorated in rich velvets and jacquards, and a selection of French antiques, Gonzalez has brought a new touch of decadence to the already luxurious boutique hotel. Low ceilings and shelves stacked with books also help guests to feel cocooned in the cosy space, and there are even three fireplaces for winter. An honesty bar also gives an “at home” feel, with guests encouraged to help themselves and simply relax with a book or newspaper.
A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the Relais Christine offers a total of just 48 rooms and suites, each one individually designed for a unique experience. As with the lounge areas French fabrics have been used throughout the rooms, in keeping with the traditional style of Relais Christine, but the hotel has been given a modern update with mix and match fabrics and the occasional clash of print and colour. Attention to detail everywhere, with some of the rooms even featuring impressive hand sewn fabrics on the walls.
In addition to its beautiful interiors, the Relais Christine also boosts its own private garden, which can be accessed exclusively by those who book a Garden Suite. We were also surprised to to find out that the hotel even has its very own beehive in its small garden. Maren explained to us that the bees were the hotel’s way of making a small contribution to the environment, but it certainly adds another special touch to the Relais Christine. The honey produced is unfortunately not available to buy as souvenir, but is served at breakfast, and apparently has its own unique floral flavour in part to being produced in Paris where pesticides are not permitted. We couldn’t wait to try it the next morning!
During our stay we also made sure we headed to to spa downstairs, which we found to be just as private and intimate as the rest of the hotel. The Relais Christine has partnered with the luxurious French brand Guerlain for its treatments, with guests also invited to relax in the spa’s small sauna and jacuzzi. A trip downstairs is also a must just to marvel at what is one of the oldest chambers in the hotel. Dating back to the 12th century, when the building was originally a monastery, the spa’s welcome room is thought to have once been the refectory with the arcs of the original building amazing still in place.
After a peaceful night’s sleep in our luxurious little room, we enjoyed what can only be described as a feast at breakfast the next morning. As we expected from a hotel which had so far surpassed our expectations in every way, everything was fresh, homemade, and completely delicious, with a selection of bright berries, exotic fruits, warm breads, French tarts and gateaux, and even perfectly cooked crispy bacon for those who wanted a home-from-home breakfast. We wanted to try it all, including that famous honey, which was just as good as we’d hoped it would be, like the Relais Christine itself.
Relais Christine, 3, rue Christine, 75006 Paris, France