Ooh-la-looovely
We have so much to thank the French for, whether it be Chanel, French kissing, or le fromage bien fort, but not quite so widely-acknowledged are the number of pretty French words we’ve appropriated into the English language, ‘boutique’ being one of them. Now, if ever a hotel merited – nay, demanded – such a fetching descriptor, it is the Marquis Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Formerly the C.18th private mansion of Marquis de Lafayette, nestled into Paris’ 8th arrondissement, it has recently been refashioned into a 15-room luxury boutique hotel under the gimlet eye of architect and interior designer Michele Bönan. Alors, on y va!
Ding dong!
The suites are so amply dotted with historically-sensitive features like Grecian busts and urns, chaises longues, and Carrara marble bathrooms, you might wonder if the old Marquis ever moved out – but the addition of mod cons (40-inch flatscreens, free WiFi, Hermès bath products, all-important Nespresso machine, et al.), as well as contemporary canvasses and the occasional splash of bright colour will assure you that indeed, this is a thoroughly C.21st abode.
Le petit dej, with a difference!
But as is typical of a boutique hotel, Marquis Faubourg wastes no time with fussy restaurants or thumping cocktail bars as there’s plenty of both to be had in the surrounding area. They’ve kept it simple and discreet with private lounge Le Gilbert, serving breakfast and only light meals and drinks after that, as well as a gym tucked away in the cellar and a neighbouring spa that offers in-room treatments. Mais, what more could you possibly want, chérie?!
8 rue d’Anjou, Paris. T: +33 1 4480 0000. W: marquisfaubourgsainthonore.com
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