Hotel des Grands Boulevards
Hotel des grands boulevards
Aesthetics: 10/10
Sumptuous materials - think leather, velvet, and linen - meet a color palette of muted neutrals and rich jewel tones. The detail through the property was exactly the right kind of jumble - delicate objets that appeared to be strewn about the room but were in fact very deliberately placed. The effect was that of staying in a home where the host has extraordinarily good taste.
Comfort: 10/10
It’s always going to be a perfect 10 when I have a hard time convincing myself to get out of bed to go shopping.
Food: 7/10
I can only speak to breakfast, which was a good spread, but not amazing. The ambience of the restaurant, however, is fantastic - set in a gorgeous glassed-in courtyard. This area of Paris is so full of exciting food; I’d recommend having a solid breakfast here and then exploring the nearby scene for dinner.
Bar: 10/10
Whether you just want a classic, or appreciate a more experimental, The Shell and The Shed, the two bars onsite, are both phenomenal. Strikingly, there’s a memorable selection of non-alcoholic drinks sporting similarly creative recipes.
Spa: N/A
No spa services available.
Service: 10/10
An utter delight.
Price Point:
$$$
Worth Going Out Of Your Way For:
If you're looking for an outstanding boutique hotel in Paris that won’t break the bank, Hotel des Grands Boulevards makes an outstanding option.
Alas, I did not take the cocktail book up on its offer.
Narrative:
I found myself unexpectedly in the market for a hotel room for one night in the middle of my most recent Paris trip. To be perfectly frank, I chose Hotel des Grands Boulevards for its price (reasonable; sub-$250 IIRC incl. tax, which is quite difficult to find in Paris) and proximity to the accommodation I was just leaving (about three blocks).
My room was on the smaller side, but floor-to-ceiling windows in both the bedroom AND bathroom made up for that (heavy curtains made the room dark and cozy for sleeping). After dinner and drink in the neighborhood with a friend, I tucked myself in and woke up eight solid hours later, thoroughly satisfied and reluctant to do anything more strenuous that lie around in bed all day reading.
While You’re In The Area:
If you can score a reservation at Frenchie, definitely do so. If you can’t, Frenchie Bar a Vins, across the street is also superb. They don’t take reservations, open at 6:30 pm, and maintain a waitlist if you can’t get there directly when they open (your best shot for getting a table). In the mood for something more casual? Blend Hamburger has an outpost just a few blocks away; make sure you try the sweet potato fries.
Ready for some shopping? The neighborhood isn’t too far from the Marais, and the grand department stores of Printemps and Galeries Lafayette are about a ten-minute walk west of the hotel. Right around the corner is L’Appartement Sezane, where you’ll have to elbow your way past hordes of twenty-somethings, but it’s worth it - the clothes are simple, high-quality, and extremely well-priced.
how did we book?
Through the Hotel Tonight app.
