Hotel Grands Boulevards is the second Paris based instalment from the cool kids at Experimental Group (Henrietta Hotel, London and Experimental Beach Club, Ibiza) who once again expertly take classic Parisian romanticism and gloriously inject it with stylish contemporary design. Comprising fifty bedrooms including ten suites, one restaurant and two bars, the boutique hotel designed by Dorothée Meilichzon, perfectly encapsulates the essence of the hotel’s history dating all the way back to the French Revolution and provides todays visitors with post-war splendour sprinkled with much-needed modern luxuries.
We were lucky enough to experience the junior suite situated right at the top of the hotel, boasting high ceilings, exposed wooden beams and picture-postcard views of Parisian rooftops. The suite itself is both elegant and evocative in design as Meilichzon plays on the era with interiors awash with sultry tones and sumptuous fabrics; deep greys next to sage green and salmon-pink with gorgeous provincial furniture and tables topped with opulent rouge royal marble. Taking centre stage is the most beautiful canopy bed- seductive, irresistible and très très chic. Adjoining is a pleasingly spacious and naturally lit white tiled bathroom home to refreshing mint walls, two sinks (more luxurious than you’d imagine) a bath with a strong shower, a charming art deco style mirror and a trendy little set of REN, Sachajuan and Malin + Goetz miniature products which handily come in a little embossed canvas bag for you to take home in.
The laid-back rustic restaurant on the ground floor brilliantly brings the outdoor in using an abundant of foliage and a retractable roof to create a bright, airy indoor/outdoor courtyard serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. We didn’t get the chance to stay for dinner (next time) but breakfast was a well-executed and delicious buffet of fresh pastries, cheese, ham, salmon, granola and more. You just have to tell the converse clad waiters how you like your eggs in the morning and they’ll serve them any which way along with very good coffee and a selection fresh juices.
There’s also the option of two bars. Named after Marie-Antoinette’s fascination with seashells, the small, intimate cocktail bar, The Shell, situated on the ground floor, feels somewhat boudoir-esque with its sexy low lighting and deep, dark velvet furniture. The Shed, the hotels newly opened rooftop bar overlooks the pretty courtyard with comfortable cushioned seating and a scattering of lemon trees. Simply glorious in the sunshine and feels like the city’s new best kept secret. Stirring up the seriously good cocktails is of course Experimental Cocktail Club doing what they do best.
In short, it’s often hard to find a hotel that ticks all the boxes, but Hotel des Grands Boulevards manages to do just that. If you’re looking for the perfect weekend away at a hotel that provides a certain je ne sais quoi, this is your answer.
Rooms at Hotel des Grands Boulevards start from 250 euros and can be booked via the website at www.grandsboulevardshotel.com