A weekend in Montmartre at " Hotel Particulier "

A jewel case located in the picturesque neighborhood of  Montmartre, this former Parisian townhouse converted into a five-suite boutique hotel is one of the city's most stylish place. Surrounded by an exceptional garden landscaped by the architect Louis Benech and a turn-of-the-century petanque court, the Hotel Particulier Montmartre echoes the transformation of the Chateau de Bionnay into an artist's residence and exhibition space created by interior designer and owner Morgane Rousseau.

At the hotel, works of art and collectibles objects are an integral part of the suites, lobbies and salons. Inside this vast Directoire style house, all the suites are adorned with large scale artwork by artists such as Martine Aballea, Natacha Lesueur, and Pierre Fichefeux.

In the Salon Prive, the windows outlined in black lacquer, frame the gardens beyond. The room is furnished with exceptional and rare pieces like an Arne Jacobsen egg chair, the famous Barcelona by Mies van der Rohe or pieces by Le Corbusier ...

Hotel Particulier Montmartre, a peaceful heaven in the heart of Paris.

Courtesy Morgane Rousseau / Hotel Particulier Montmartre

The Banke Hotel in Paris, an artsy place

Derby Hotels Collection, the prestigious Spanish chain of hotels, opens its first establishment in Paris. A Baroque pearl in a Haussmann-style setting, the Banke Hotel is located just steps from the Palais Garnier and the city's big department stores. Everywhere the previous vocation of the building is evident, right from the medallions on the spandrels of the entrance portico. Formerly the headquarters of a major bank, the building blends opulence with austerity. The heavy wrought-iron doors reinforce the inheritance from the previous century.With its gigantic chandelier and diaphanous vermilion drapes, the vestibule is more evocative of the world of theatre than high finance.
There is an impressive collection of jewelry and contemporary art displayed on every floor of the 94-room hotel, and this aesthetic splendor adds to the atmosphere of refinement so characteristic of the Derby Hotels Collection.

Images courtesy Derby Hotels 

To view more, click on The Banke Hotel- Paris

The Royal Monceau Revisited

After undergoing important renovation work since 2007, the hotel Royal Monceau in Paris has reopened its doors on October 18th. To recreate the luxury hotel, Philippe Starck, Alexandre Allard and one of the world's leading luxury hotel firms, Raffles Hotels and Resorts, have been embarked together on a great human adventure, to transform the Royal Monceau. Although it has been renovated from top to bottom, the hotel has kept its historic past, naming rooms for prestigious guests who once stayed there, such as Ray Charles, Andre Malraux, Josephine Baker among others. Today, the new Royal Monceau is an hotel reinvented, redesigned, a destination where art and culture are omnipresent. Artworks by emerging French and international artists provide a strong presence of contemporary feel in the hotel. In-house collection of photographs are exhibited throughout the various rooms and suites.
And not to forget Pierre Herme, the king of macaroons, who is in charge of concocting all the pastries and sweets for the new Royal Monceau.

Le Bar Long

A fresco by artist Stephane Calais " Jardin de Paris "

One of the several restaurants

La Fumee Rouge, the Cigar Bar

Suite

Dressing room

Bathroom

The lovely garden

The transformation

Images courtesy Le Royal Monceau-Raffles

37 Avenue Hoche

Paris, France

L'Ile aux Oiseaux or Bird Island

Inspiration of the moment. L'Ile aux Oiseaux is not the latest scoop but this restful oasis is definitely worth reviewing.

I am ready to hop on a plane and immerse myself in this environment of rare beauty. The "Ile aux Oiseaux" is a magnificent suite designed by Martin Margiela, the Belgian fashion house designer for Maison Martin Margiela. The suite is part of "Les Sources de Caudalie", the 1st Vinotherapie spa retreat in the world. Near Bordeaux, the luxury boutique hotel is nestled among vineyards and forest on the ancient estate of Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte.
This superb suite Ile aux Oiseaux is reserved for nature lovers. It sits apart from the hotel in an idyllic stilt-mounted cabin. The suite's decor is classic Margiela, with its minimalist palette of white, black  and grey tones, trompe l'oeil playfulness, and a splash of red in the form of a giant pair of lips, a replica of Salvador Dali's classic Mae West sofa.

Photos courtesy of Les Sources de Caudalie