The Hôtel des Grands Voyageurs in Paris

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This article is part of the FT Globetrotter article. Paris guide

I recently had a conversation with an American friend who said that, for all its many attributes, Paris lacks the kind of pleasant U-shaped lobby bars that often grace hotels and brasseries across the Atlantic. The beautiful brass and wood paneled number of the Hôtel des Grands Voyageurs is the first thing you see upon entering the hotel and is a very valuable addition, tempting travelers and passersby to lean on it while enjoying a well-mixed cocktail.

Tucked away on Boulevard Raspail, the hotel opened its doors just over a year ago, aiming to offer a stylish four-star option in Paris’s sparse mid-market range, ranging from the many two- and three-star hotels. Family run stars of the city. establishments of varying quality and the famous palace hotels, where rooms can start at 1,300 euros per night. It bills itself as a “cross-Atlantic” concept with a decidedly mid-century feel, from the bar’s brass table lamps and varnished wood to the turntables and a curated selection of vinyl in some of the more expensive rooms.

Located just a few minutes’ walk from the Luxembourg Gardens and the exclusive shops of Le Bon Marché, the Grands Voyageurs is situated in a quiet corner of the exclusive 6th arrondissement. That said, the luxurious Poppy speakeasy on the ground floor, where I saw to a group of women sipping Lemon Drop shots before a night out at the clubs in Saint Germain, is a great addition to the area’s nightlife.

While sister property Hôtel Dame des Arts, opening in 2023, has more of a “party atmosphere,” including a lively rooftop bar when the weather is nice, “this is the complete opposite,” says general manager Imshan Jamal from London. Swiss-based owner EQ Group also has properties in Switzerland and the UK, as well as managing a portfolio of franchised hotels across Europe. “We wanted it to feel like a hidden, confidential home. More discreet, a little quieter in a more unknown area.”

The interiors designed by Fabrizio Casiraghi of Milan are intended to evoke the “golden age of travel,” says Jamal: a time when matching suitcases were sewn from leather, transatlantic travel was often weeks-long odysseys on ocean liners, and flying on airplanes was still a luxury experience. Inspirations range from nearby sculptures Borduelle Museum to the riverboats of the 1940s. The bar area captures this well, with gold-toned lighting reflecting off mirrors and glassware, and a cocktail menu offering travel-inspired takes on American classics. The servers were knowledgeable and easily mixed up an off-menu Boulevardier for my companion and a Lemon Drop for me.

Accommodation

The 130 rooms and eight suites are spacious (for Paris at this price) and well-appointed, with teal carpets, warm wood paneling, and cream-colored walls and bedding. Mid-century styles extend to the rooms, with decor and furnishings that nod to the ocean liners of the era, from the black and cream tiles and porcelain finishes in the bathroom to the chrome desk covered in a leather blotter. green. This nod to retro travel is tastefully done throughout, although the faux rope railings in the hallways feel a little too flashy. I finished the evening contentedly listening to Charles Mingus on the record player in my room, while looking out the window at the quiet street below.

Restaurant and bar

The restaurant draws heavy inspiration from New York brasserie food, including burgers, lobster rolls and cheesecake. At the time of our visit, the food and wine, while useful, were not memorable, especially when compared to the many great options Paris has to offer, from simple bistro fare to Michelin-starred explosions. He reseda It lacked punch and the Chenin was a little flat on the palate, although the chips It was a solid take on a classic, the oysters plump and lovely and the service attentive.

My dinner companions were a mix of English-speaking tourists and French visitors; A well-mannered standard poodle waited patiently under a table for his owners to finish their meal, while a group of twenty-something women blew out candles on a birthday cake and drank champagne. Breakfast served the next morning was a generous buffet that catered to both American tastes (eggs, bacon, cereal) and more continental tastes (toast, fruit, pastries).

For those staying longer, the hotel also offers a compact but well-equipped gym and infrared sauna. It also rents electric bikes, although adventurous tourists beware: Paris drivers, pedestrians and other cyclists have what could generously be called a flexible approach to traffic rules.

I left in the morning feeling refreshed, the sunny December morning a rarity in Paris as I wandered through the café terraces and boutiques of the Left Bank towards the Luxembourg Gardens. Although I had only crossed the Seine from my apartment, I felt like I had taken a short trip away from my daily reality: the sign of a stay in a good hotel.

• Rooms and suites: 130 rooms and eight junior suites; 16 of the rooms can be connected upon request.

• Good for: An elegant but relaxing stay on the Left Bank and a stylish nightcap

• Not so good for: Those looking for a high-end culinary affair.

• For your information: Art on display includes bas-relief by sculptor François Gilles and engravings by Gustav Klimt, while star map rugs in the rooms nod to the transatlantic nautical theme.

• Rates: Doubles from €380

• ADDRESS: 92 Rue de Vaugirard, Paris 75006

• Website; Instructions

Adrienne Klasa stayed as a guest at the Hôtel des Grands Voyageurs

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