There is nothing more exhilarating than being a tourist in your own city. Playing pretend, convincing yourself you’re going on vacation, sleeping in a different bed, dreaming in different sheets… It’s a pleasure that might seem frivolous, but it’s a real breath of fresh air when you live in a big urban city, caught in the whirlwind of city life. For me, it’s also an opportunity to recommend (or not) Parisian hotels by actually having a real experience of the place rather than just taking a peek inside…
_
Table of Contents
Mon Hotel, Paris
I discovered Monhotel, a cozy and elegant spot, as well as the Le Daniel’s Bar/Restaurant during an evening organized by Tempting places and Envouthé. The hotel, which has 36 rooms, is ideally located near the Argentine metro station, between the Arc de Triomphe and the Palais des Congrès. It was a Prestige room that I had the opportunity to test during my weekend at Mon Hotel. I particularly enjoyed the huge bathtub in my room—the simple pleasure of taking a bath, especially since I only have a tiny shower at home… and it’s a luxury I don’t often get to enjoy! I also recommend stopping by the Le Daniel’s bar/restaurant when evening comes; the atmosphere is very intimate and cozy.
The plus: as a hotel guest, you can enjoy free access to the hammam and the fitness center, which is very pleasant, especially since these facilities are accessible 24/7.
Mon Hotel (4 stars)
1 rue d’Argentine, 75016 Paris
Room rates: between €139 and €269 depending on the room
_
Hôtel du Ministère, Paris
This beautiful hotel located just a stone’s throw from the Madeleine and not far from the Faubourg Saint-Honoré has just expanded with new rooms designed by François Champsaur. I loved the space and the rather atypical layout (for a hotel) of its rooms. Ours was a duplex, with a large industrial-style glass opening that reminded me of 19th-century iron and glass architecture, which I particularly appreciate. I found a lot of charm in this geometric decor, which is both contemporary (I was blown away by the digital TV, well-hidden in what appeared to be just a simple black wall at first glance…), yet still maintains a cozy feel.
The little extra: the English-style Honesty Bar, which relies on the honesty of the guest to serve themselves as they please and then declare what they had when settling their bill.
The “American breakfast”: it is served as a buffet on the ground floor of the hotel and is included in the room rate.
Hôtel du Ministère
31 rue de Surène 75008 Paris
Room rates: between €145 and €363 depending on the room (single room, double room, or suite)
_
Hôtel Gaston, Paris
I will remember my night at Hôtel Gaston for a long time. Perhaps not for the reasons I initially would have wanted, but simply because of an unfortunate (and perhaps, in the end, fortunate for me) coincidence of dates. In fact, it was the evening of Friday, November 13th, that I decided to test this hotel. It was, therefore, the one that sheltered me on that tragic night.
But back to the hotel. After a very recent renovation, this small hotel located not far from the Wagram metro station offers a very contemporary style thanks to its design, signed by Anne-Lise Dees, who invited numerous artists from the Splendens Factory collective (Tyrsa, Shane, Théo & Arthur, Irina Volkonskii, Félix Cornu, and On/Off Crew) to express their talents in the hotel’s common areas (reception, breakfast room, hallway, room doors, stairs, etc.). The hotel has 43 rooms in total, spread over 6 floors, and each floor welcomes a different artist in residence, in a way, which gives it a unique and distinct style.
Breakfast: served as a buffet on the ground floor of the hotel and is included in the room rate.
Tip: if you are like me and a bit sensitive to traffic noise, I recommend requesting a room facing the inner courtyard. The rooms facing the street are well-insulated, but I know I’m very picky on the subject.
The great deal: The hotel organizes a contest every quarter via Facebook and Instagram. To win a night for two at the hotel with breakfast, just take a picture of yourself with a bowtie (Gaston’s symbol), like the hotel’s Facebook and Instagram pages, and post your selfie on social networks with the hashtags #Gastonetmoi #Gastonetnous #Gastonnettes.
Hôtel Gaston 51, Boulevard Pereire 75017 Paris Room rates: from €89 to €110 depending on the rooms and the period
_
Hôtel Exquis, Paris
My stay at this hotel, located on the rue de Charonne, not far from the Belle Equipe, was the occasion for a small pilgrimage to this neighborhood that was unfortunately hit hard last November. This small hotel, decorated by Julie Gauthron, is part of the Elegancia Hôtel collection and offers an offbeat and artistic universe centered around the theme of surrealism. It was an unusual double room that we discovered, very small but not without charm.
The bright idea: in the bathroom and in the shower, the decoration was enhanced with small light sources embedded in the walls and in the shower as well. I therefore recommend that you turn off the lights, leaving only these small luminous points on, for a shower with your head in the stars. Simply magical.
Breakfast: served as a buffet; it can be included in the room price with an additional charge, however.
Practical information: check-in is from 3:00 PM and check-out is before 12:00 PM.
Hôtel Exquis 71, rue de Charonne 75011 Paris Room rates: from €53 to €140 depending on the rooms and the period
Find all my hotel reviews below:
⇒ All my hotel reviews
⇒ My hotel reviews in Paris
⇒ My hotel reviews in France
My hotel reviews around the World
MY HOTELS IN PARIS
⇒ Le Normandy Hôtel
⇒ L’Hôtel Royal Madeleine
⇒ L’Hôtel Banke
⇒ Okko Hôtel Porte de Versailles
⇒ Hôtel de Malte
⇒ Le Sofitel Paris Arc de Triomphe
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez and Mademoiselle Bon Plan Photos are not royalty-free, photographer's authorization is mandatory before any use
