Rates: €390-2200
Added extras: the pastry library and super comfortable beds
Services: valet parking, spa, breakfast, restaurant, bar and fitness room
The Sofitel Paris Faubourg’s facelift has been inspired by the nearby Saint-Honoré area – the city’s haute-couture haven. So it’s no surprise that it could have come straight off the pages of a fashion magazine. Under the thumb of talented interior decorator Didier Gomez, the Sofitel passes with flying colours in its positioning as one of the best 5-star hotels in the city.
There are 147 rooms blending elegance and modernity, with marble, graphic patterns and thick carpets. Shades of grey, white, gold and mouldings are a tribute to the eighteenth century and signed photos of Beaton, Penn and Horst give a solid nod to the fashion world. The 36 suites are styled as private apartments and offer stunning views over the Parisian roofs, and there’s also a sublime 100m2 penthouse if you want to really push the boat out.
The restaurant, Stay, serves refined French cuisine inspired by the Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno’s many stints in high-class establishments and global travels. Desserts are presented in a stunning ‘pastry library’ – a see-and-order visual feast. Fashion influences return at the bar, with creative cocktails inspired by the big names in couture: think 'Gabrielle', 'Yves' and 'Jean-Paul.'