Review Author

Luke Abrahams

‘Happening’ Newsletter Editor & Contributing Editor

HOTEL SNAPSHOT

Ah, Paris. The most beautiful city in the world. It’s true, I have been many times, and nothing quite encapsulates the beauty of the artistic soul better. Long avenues, storied buildings and architectural icons. What’s not to like? Standing at the intersection of it all on Rue Balzac and Rue Lord Byron is Hotel Balzac, a Relais & Chateaux property reimagined by hospitality whizz Olivier Bertrand.

In terms of boutique offerings, nothing quite beats its location in the beating heart of the 8th arrondissement. Your neighbours are rich banking city types and swish execs, and its mere steps away from the Champs Elysees, Avenue Montaigne and the Arc Di Triomphe. Yet despite its central locale, the cobblestoned street the hotel sits on is irresistibly quiet. A statuesque figure among a string of stunning Haussmannian architectural wonders, the hotel’s interiors are the work of Charlotte de Tonnac and Hugo Sauzay whose interior design studio is behind other French hotel wonders like Hôtel du Couvent. 

Design & Character

The look and feel of the place is very much attuned to a 1930s, Gatsby-esque world with bizarrely restrained Art Deco touches that tinter on Japanese influences. Think modern, clean lines as opposed to stuffy, boring and samey. There’s lots of marble, lots of varnished wood, lots of tiles and the odd signed art piece and sketch (curated by the Galerie Francaise team) scattered throughout.

The Rooms

As for the rooms, think typical Parisian boudoir with all the Art Deco trimmings from custom-designed block-style lamps to groovy headboards.  I spent the night in a junior suite on the fourth floor, with a wraparound balcony donning views of the sprawling Parisian landscape. The ambience of it all was typically sexy, sensual and moody by French standards. Think deep yellows and sultry browns, and brilliant white walls which give the space an almost luminous halo kind of effect. In the middle of it all was the Maison Tréca bed, a comfortable behemoth which was so cushty I found it difficult to wake up the next morning and cancelled half of my morning plans. Minibars in all rooms are stocked with hand-crafted spirits and a Sjöstrand coffee machine, plus a selection of teas. Wine? Of course, and you can have any bottle on request, too. 

The bathroom complete with deep tub, roomy shower and double subway-style vanity topped with fancy Diptyque amenities also has the perk of Parisian rooftop and Eiffel tower views. The only downside is that the taps didn’t work well during our stay—a victim of those old pipes. Service is speedy and friendly—especially from housekeeping—though it can verge on the stiff upper lip side of the spectrum at the check in desk.

Food & Drink

Typical French brasserie. We skipped dinner here as the late-night menu was slim and exhausted due to a full house of guests. If you do manage to get your hands on something though, I was told the black truffle croque monsieur and the Balzac burger are must tries by the bell boy. Breakfast, while restrained, was a good offering of European and American classics. Eggs ordered anyway, plus all the usual suspects from French toast to pancakes and cheese platters come as standard. The pastries are highlights, though thanks to my greedy and gluttonous cravings could do with a tad more butter. All the jams and sweet bits are from Parisian cult café classic, Angelina.

The Neighbourhood

You are in the heart of Paris’s shopping district. The boutiques of Rue Saint Honore are a short 10-minute stroll away, as are the high-end houses of Dior and Givenchy on Avenue Montaigne. Louis Vuitton is virtually your next-door bestie on the Champs Elysees and if you fancy being a tourist for the day, the Arc di Triomphe is just two blocks away. Walkers will also be pleased to know that you can be traipsing around The Louvre in as little as 20 minutes—yes, it’s that close.

Fast Facts

Location: Paris, France

The vibe:  It’s everything you’d expect from a classy Parisian townhouse hotel glow up: moody, apartment-esque and brings in a well-heeled crowd that refuses to smile in fear of screwing with their latest round of botox.

Our favourite thing about the hotel: The Japanese-inspired Ikoi spa is an unexpected subterranean wonder. Bamboo massages are part of the menu, and there’s also a sauna to chill in too.

Room Count: 58

Starting Rate: From about $400s to $800+ USD per night. 

Dining: Brasserie-style and heavier than heavy French classics. There are salads for those that can’t stomach the tartare and rich truffle-rich menu.

Amenities: Bar, restaurant, spa

Closest Airport: Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)