As I emerge from the dark of the Paris Metro system and into the light and noise of the street above, I almost stagger backwards in shock. The imposing outline of the 50m-tall Arc de Triomphe is looming over me, almost close enough to touch.
Although I knew that Hôtel Château des Fleurs, my home for the next few days, was just a few minutes’ walk from the famous monument, I never expected it to be quite that close.
Nestled in a 100-year-old townhouse in a narrow street off the Champs-Élysée – one of the globe’s most famous shopping streets – its postcode alone seems almost too exclusive to be real.
But, while its outstanding location and idyllic, flowerbox-lined facade are extraordinarily special, its bespoke, Art Deco inspired interior is what sets it apart from all the hundreds of other luxury hotels in the French capital.
A quintessentially Parisian escape
A far cry from the flashy modern decor of many UAE hotels, the entire place is an ode to the French Belle Epoque period, or the ‘beautiful era’ of the late 18th to early 19th century.
Passing by the reception desk, my partner and I are led straight into a cosy lounge and bar. From the pink, tassel-fringe chairs to the plush velvet sofas and ornate coffered ceiling, everything about the hotel exudes an aura of old-school elegance.
Inspired by the designs of architects Victor Horta and Charles Rennie Mackintosh, both major figures in the Art Nouveau movement, curves shape every doorway, arch, and mirror, and even the quirky hand-shaped door handles of the 36 unique rooms.
A lesson in classic Parisian style, our chic duplex room is spread across two floors. Adorned with tasteful antiques and upcycled furniture, the mezzanine bedroom is completed with a vintage standing bath, and a mattress made from recycled materials that treats us to some of the best night’s sleep of our lives.
Blending traditional fixtures with modern innovations, the skylights are cleverly covered with automatic blackout blinds to ensure that not a millimetre of morning sun gets through, while the retro light fittings add another fun touch. The bathroom boasts handmade toiletries, while the mirror is surrounded by funky retro red and white tiles and Hollywood-esque lights.
Elegant amenities
Down in the basement of the Hôtel Château des Fleurs, the small, yet surprisingly well-equipped fitness room is the most beautiful gym I’ve ever seen.
All the weights and equipment are wood finished, and the adjacent Spa by Omnisens offers a sauna, hot bath, and a wide range of sensational massages, facials, and other relaxing treatments.
Like staying in the home of a French aristocratic family, the whole hotel seamlessly blends luxury with comfort and authenticity. Well-behaved pets are welcome, and our spacious duplex could easily fit a small family.
Adding an extra sense of comfort, you can enjoy breakfast in bed snuggled up in your soft white robe, or take it downstairs in the lounge.
Spanning overflowing baskets of delicious golden pastries and crusty French breads, fresh fruits, locally made yoghurts, eggs, and cereals, the morning spread is simpler than the typically lavish breakfast buffets of the UAE, but just as delicious and certainly less wasteful.
Elevated Parisian and Korean cuisine
On our first night at Hôtel Château des Fleurs, we sample the French-Korean menu of in-house restaurant OMA. Combining Parisian cream and cheese with fermented kimchi and spices from Seoul, it’s not the most obvious combination of cuisines, but it works surprisingly well.
With ‘OMA’ meaning ‘mother’ in Korean, every creative and freshly made home cooked dish aims to spread love and joy.
I wish that my incredible starter of roasted onions with parmesan-gorgonzola sauce would never end, while the fried shiitake mushrooms with teriyaki sauce and chili are bursting with amazing flavour.
Providing the perfect conclusion to the decadent meal, OMA’s signature chocolate cake is magnificently gooey and rich. The yuzu cheesecake provides a more Asian-influenced option, while the 18-month aged Comté cheese caters to those want to truly embrace the French diet.
Visiting the Hôtel Château des Fleurs bar for a pre- or post-dinner tipple is a compulsory part of a night at OMA. While the menu of classic, contemporary, and alcohol-free cocktails is extensive enough as it is, the bartender encourages us to order off the menu, claiming that he has more than 150 recipes all stored in his head. Given the flawlessly high standards of the beverages he creates for us, we have no trouble believing him at all.
Intimate and romantic, it’s a stunning place to dine in Paris. While the Korean menu will be exchanged with a new experience by the end of August, you can feel confident that the new offering will be just as impressive.
Right in the heart of the city
While we’re tempted to spend most of our days at Hôtel Château des Fleurs simply sipping coffee and reading in the welcoming lounge area, we know that we can’t miss out on exploring Paris, especially as so many of the key monuments and attractions are right on our doorstep.
Set in the heart of the 8th Arrondissement, also known as the Golden Triangle (Triangle D’or), the local area is frequented by a predictably stylish and well-dressed crowd.
Boasting streets upon streets of designer stores, the original Fouquet’s Paris, famous for attracting the biggest stars in French cinema, is just around the corner.
For fashionistas, La Galerie Dior and Musée Yves Saint Laurent are just a 15-minute walk away, while we really enjoyed walking along the Seine to the numerous vintage stores and famous falafel shops of hipster-friendly La Marais.
Just down the hill from the hotel, we found ourselves greeted by spectacular uninterrupted views of the Eiffel Tower across the river. It’s hard to imagine you’d get a better shot of The Iron Lady from anywhere else in the city.
Exceptionally cyclist friendly, bike paths line every road, and you’re never far from a docking station with rental bikes either. The paths either side of the river completely pedestrianised, while the efficient Metro system offers another eco-friendly way of getting around.
If you want to live and breathe the rich history and timeless glamour of Paris, it doesn’t get any better than a stay at the extraordinary Hôtel Château des Fleurs.
More information: chateaudesfleurs.paris.
