Hotel Amour Paris | cheriecity.co.uk

A Wonderful Weekend in Paris

April 2, 2022 by cheriecity

Throughout lockdown, I longed for the familiar pleasures of walking the streets of Paris. Stopping at a boulangerie for freshly-baked pastries, an indulgent bistro dinner of steak frites and spending hours exploring a museum.

At the end of last year (pre-Omicron travel madness), my wish was granted and I spent a magical few days in the French capital with my mum. The streets were noticably quieter than usual, apart from the crowded Champs-Élysées, but it still felt like the same, charming Paris.

Here are some of the fantastic places we visited on this whirlwind trip…

La Samaritaine

Our first stop was La Samaritaine, the iconic Pont-Neuf department store that reopened last summer after being closed for over 16 years. LVMH has transformed the historic 19th century building from a bazaar selling everything under the sun to a shimmering temple of luxury. It really is spectacular!

All of the top tier designer brands are there, as you would expect, but what makes the store stand out is its modern, playful approach, with the quirky Boutique de Loulou lifestyle shop, the incredible beauty hall filled with cult products and cute patisserie counters by Bogato and Dalloyau.

We met my friend Coralie for a long-overdue coffee at Parisienne, a casual cafe by Petit Plisson with classic French pastries and light salads. It’s a great spot to know about for a quick refuel.

We stayed until the early evening and then walked along the Seine, over to the Left Bank for dinner.

La Laiterie Sainte Clotilde

La Laiterie Sainte Clotilde on Rue de Bellechasse is a gorgeous little bistro by Jean-Baptiste Varenne, housed in a former dairy. It’s a real neighbourhood gem with a mostly Parisian crowd and lovely staff who really look after you well.

To start, we had a creamy, velvety Pumpkin soup and a punchy Roasted cauliflower with harissa – both were full of flavour and well-seasoned.

We couldn’t resist the tender, juicy Steak with peppercorn sauce and sautéed baby potatoes. It was a classic done exceedingly well with very high quality meat, a moreish sauce and more crispy potatoes than you could ever ask for.

Dessert was an indulgent Gateau ‘Chardon’ au chocolat, which had a rich yet light fondant texture inside. I would definitely visit again, as it’s an interesting yet dependable place for a good dinner, however I’d be keen to try the weekday lunch set menu at 30 Euros for 3 courses.

Thierry Mugler: Couturissime

Fashion exhibitons at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs are always spectacular and I’m so pleased we had the opportunity to see the most recent opening, Thierry Mugler: Couturissime. This major exhibition explores the couturier’s stellar career with works dating from 1973 to 2014. It feels especially poignant and vital since his passing in January this year.

The world of Mugler is truly glamorous and exotic, which the curator has expertly captured across both floors. Be prepared to be wowed by rows of mannequins in cutting-edge ready-to-wear, sculptural haute couture and iconic stage costumes worn by the likes of Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Linda Evangelista and Jerry Hall.

The exhibition has an immersive feel with scene-setting light and soundscapes and a subtle trail of the famous fragrance ANGEL, complete with an enormous, diamond-encrusted bottle to admire.

You can also delve deeper with rare photographs signed by Guy Bourdin, Helmut Newton and Ellen von Unwerth, as well as unpublished archives and mesmerising films of pivotal catwalk shows.

I could have easily spent hours there, but we were also keen to see the Cartier Islamic Arts exhibition just across the hall. It featured the most dazzling fine jewellery with enormous diamonds and gems, ancient sculptures and miniature paintings.

Café de Flore

For a moment of Paris nostalgia, we headed over to the Left Bank for a light lunch at the historic Café de Flore on Boulevard Saint-Germain. After a bit of queuing we were seated at one of the coveted terrace tables – perfect for indulging in the time-honoured sport of people watching.

While the location is undeniably fabulous, the excruciatingly long wait to be served and the unexpectedly bland Soupe a l’oignon gratinée made it my least favourite meal of the trip. Next time I’ll play it safe and stick to the excellent chocolat chaud and tarte tatin.

La Grande Épicerie

The afternoon still ended on a sweet note with a sweep around La Grande Épicerie, the magnificent food hall at Le Bon Marché department store on Rue de Sèvres. We refuelled over an exquisite Tarte framboise and Praline cake and pots of Earl Grey tea from the patisserie.

Paris food halls are an absolute joy and this one is widely regarded as the best in town. Every time I visit, I promise myself to book an apartment for a week and cook with these exquisite ingredients.

Aux Crus de Bourgogne

After some more shopping and strolling around the Left Bank, we headed to the lively Montorgueil quarter for dinner at Aux Crus de Bourgogne on Rue Bachaumont. This historic bistro was revived by new owners Jérôme and Stéphane Dumant in 2019 and is known for its regional French gastronomy cooking and Burgundy wines.

It was once a haunt of writer and cultural minister André Malraux, although today you could imagine Wes Anderson perched at a table, scouting his next filming location.

The return of the great French brasserie (a trend bubbling away in Paris over the last few years) really satisfies the craving for familiarity and rollicking good times, especially in this age of uncertainty. This is definitely something you can find here, feasting on hearty Lyonnaise dishes and having a laugh with the most charming waiters in Paris.

We had the most fantastic Poulet au vin jaune & morilles, which was served in a rustic copper pot with spongey morels to soak up the rich, creamy sauce. Coq au vin was equally indulgent and boozy with the finest farm-style chicken that you can only seem to find in France and ribbons of fresh tagliatelle.

For dessert, we did the unthinkable and ordered Mousse au chocolat & Madeleine twice, just in case it wasn’t so sharable. Little did we know that it would be a monster-sized mousse filling an entire Le Creuset pot with two giant madeleines. However, I don’t regret a thing, as it was so thick and velvety and the madeleines were crispy and golden, straight from the oven – a moment of absolute heaven!

Montmartre

We made the most of a bright and sunny morning and climbed up the millions of stairs to the Sacré-Cœur. It was lovely to explore Montmartre and follow the winding, cobbled paths and spotting pretty landmarks like Le Lapin Agile, Place du Tertre, Le Consulat, Place Dalida and La Maison Rose.

A new discovery was Vignes du Clos, an urban winery on a sunny hillside in Montmartre. Paris’ oldest vineyard was created as a green space by the City of Paris in 1933 to protect the plot of land from being developed.

It’s generally closed to the public, but in October, the vineyard opens the gates for guided tours as part of the city’s Fête des Vendanges (a five-day grape harvest festival).

Hotel Amour

After such arduous hill climbing, we were ready for lunch at Hotel Amour, one of my old favourites in Pigalle. It always has a good vibe and sitting at a table overlooking the garden is just delightful.

We both managed to squeeze in one last Steak frites and it was a winner (although I would have liked it to come with a sauce).

Galeries Lafayette Gourmet

Our last stop of the trip was the wonderful Galeries Lafayette Gourmet, which has changed a lot since I last visited. The most exciting part for me is the deli, bakery and patisserie section that takes up almost the entire ground floor.

It was a chance to load up on baked goods from Babka Zana, a cute bakery in the 9th arrondissement that has a counter here. We tried the sticky, delicious Babka rolls in rich Chocolate hazelnut and fragrant Pistachio and orange blossom flavours.

It was also a good call to bring home a large Babka cake, packaged majestically in a pastel pink and gold box, to keep the Paris memories going.

Hotel Keppler

Our home for the weekend was the elegant Hotel Keppler, designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon, located in a Haussmanian building on a quiet street just off the Champs-Élysées.

The hotel features 48 guest rooms and suites (some with balconies and Eiffel Tower views), plus two cosy library lounges and a fitness room and sauna.

Our Executive Room was bright and comfortable with timeless black, white and vibrant yellow accents. The large marble bathroom had a TV in the mirror, a powerful shower and bathtub, fluffy bathrobes and slippers and a full set of Hermès Eau D’Orange Verte bathroom products.

Breakfast was served downstairs overlooking the leafy private courtyard and everything was excellent. The buffet was petite but full of high quality items like scrambled eggs and crispy bacon, pancakes and crepes, cured meats and salmon, French cheese, luxury yoghurt and fruit juice. You can also order fresh eggs and omelettes cooked to order.

The lovely staff took good care of us, serving freshly-made coffee and tea and a basket of pastries and baguette to our table. It was the highlight of our stay and definitely worth booking.

We didn’t spend much time in the hotel on this trip, as we were out exploring from morning to night, but it was still a very enjoyable stay.

Have you been to Paris recently? Where are your favourite places to visit?

All photos by Chérie City

Paris, Restaurants

The Best French Food to Eat in Paris

September 21, 2015 by cheriecity

As Audrey Hepburn once said, ‘Paris is always a good idea’ and it’s even better when you really indulge in the city’s exquisite gastronomy. With so many tempting French dishes, chic terrace cafes and hidden gems to navigate, it’s hard to know where to start!

On my regular trips to Paris, I try to find a balance between traditional specialities that I can only find in France and the city’s new international style of cooking, however there’s always room for cake.

A fabulous foodie trip to Paris can be done on all budgets (it’s the home of gourmet bakeries and markets, after all), but you’ll want to leave plenty of Euros for some memorable eating.

That’s where low-cost regional airline Flybe can help with cheap flights from a number of UK cities to both Paris Charles de Gaulle and Paris Orly Ouest Airports. I’m particularly happy to find out that Flybe runs a Newcastle to Paris route, so I can meet my mother in Paris for a girls weekend of shopping and dining.

So, what should you be eating on an autumn trip to Paris? Here are some of my top bites in the City of Lights…

Le Hamburgé

Burgers are a big deal in Paris and there’s just something about a French hamburgé that really hits the spot. Two of the best I’ve ever tasted can be found on or around the rue St-Honoré at chic brasserie Le Castiglione and cosy family-run restaurant Ferdi (Kim and Kanye’s favourite French comfort food spot).

It’s the gooey melted cheese, grilled bacon and secret sauce maison that make these Parisian burgers oh so special. Other notable American-style patties can be found at Ralph’s (the stylish restaurant at the Ralph Lauren Left Bank store), Hotel Amour and Maison Mère.

Onion soup

A traditional brasserie classic, soupe a l’oignon gratinée is one of the best things you can order for a tasty lunch in Paris. Not all onion soups are created equal, but I recently had a fantastic one at Bar du Central in well-heeled Saint-Germain.

A really good onion soup should be rich and piping hot, packed full of thin caramelised onions, topped with a bubbling Gruyère crouton and ideally served with a basket of baguette and French butter.

Steak frites

A true joy of dining out in Paris is a juicy, tender steak served with slim, crispy fries and a yummy Béarnaise or Café de Paris sauce. Three Michelin starred chef Yannick Alléno is renowned for his ground-breaking cooking, but a more hearty meal of excellent steak frites can be found at his two casual restaurants Terroir Parisien and STAY at Paris Le Faubourg.

Neo-bistro fare

Explore Paris’ innovative neo-bistro scene with a daily-changing, affordable set menu created by Michelin standard chefs in modest surroundings. A hot neo-bistro opens almost every month in Paris, but I highly recommend established players Inaki Aizpitarte’s Le Chateaubriand, Chez l’Ami Jean by Stéphane Jégo and Grégory Marchand’s Frenchie.

Croissants

A breakfast staple the world over, but no one can bake a croissant quite like the Parisians – they even have an annual competition to award the best ones. Most Parisian hotels will source their breakfast croissants from their trusted local boulangerie, but you can also go straight to the source and queue at the counters of Gerard Mulot, Boulangerie Pichard and Arnaud Delmontel like a true Parisian.

Patisserie

My days in Paris are usually spent on a rose-tinted sugar high, as it’s impossible to resist the copious, beautiful cakes. The ultimate tea salons to enjoy decadent pastries are the gilded Angelina, Ladurée Champs-Élysées and Le Jardin Francais at Hotel Le Bristol where you can choose from the sweet trolley. To sample the coolest pastry trends, visit L’Éclair de Génie, Sébastien Gaudard, Popelini for pretty profiteroles and Pierre Hermé for exciting new macaron flavours.

Are you tempted by a foodie trip to Paris? What are your favourite Parisian hotspots?

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Photos by Chérie City

Barcelona, Caribbean, Lisbon, Miami, Paris, USA

My Top Five Travels of 2014

December 31, 2014 by cheriecity

2014 feels like it has flown by, but luckily it’s been filled with some unforgettable travel experiences, from European city breaks to a long, relaxing cruise in the Caribbean. Here are some of my favourite moments from over the year…

A Cocktail Masterclass at Le Bristol Paris

My first stay at Le Bristol was one of my most memorable times in Paris, so I was thrilled to be invited back a second time (staying in the very same Junior Suite, no less).

I had the pleasure of meeting Head Barman Maxime Hoerth, who took us on a fabulous tour of the city’s coolest cocktail bars – Le Mary Celeste, Sherry Butt and Jeffrey’s. We learned how to make a variety of Old Fashioned cocktails in a private masterclass in Le Bar du Bristol and Maxime created my very own cocktail, the ‘Chérie Club’.

Happily, most of our time was spent in the hotel, indulging with room service breakfasts, lunch in Le Jardin Francais and 114 Faubourg and exquisite cakes.

Not only was it a dreamy, relaxing trip in the company of a fun group, but I was reunited with Fa-Raon, the hotel’s majestic white Birman cat. I dare say my cocktail making skills have improved too.

A Foodie Trip to Lisbon

Lisbon is a place that I’ve always wanted to visit and I was really impressed by the warm, welcoming Portuguese hospitality wherever we went. We were kindly invited by Four Seasons Lisbon, who went the extra mile to make our trip so special.

We saw the city in style with a private car tour organised by the hotel, taking in the city’s beautiful sights such as the Castle of São Jorge and Church of Santa Engrácia in old Alfama, the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery. Trying a couple of Portuguese custard tarts from the famous Pastéis de Belém is an absolute must.

Lisbon is also a haven for foodies and we had the most fantastic meals at José Avillez’s two Michelin star restaurant Belcanto, one Michelin star restaurant Feitoria and lunch at Flores do Bairro and Varanda. I’d love to spend more time in Lisbon and explore the nearby coastal town of Caiscais.

Late Summer in Barcelona

It had been quite a few years since I visited Barcelona, so it was definitely time to revisit the Catalan city. We spent a good amount of time by the Barceloneta, staying at the stylish Hotel Arts Barcelona and munching on Californian-style burgers at SALT Beach Club at W Barcelona.

Visiting during Catalan Day offered an interesting insight into the cultural and political mood in Barcelona and we could feel the energy of this important day when strolling around the MACBA square, El Raval and El Born. As ever, food was high on the agenda with dinner at Blanc at Mandarin Oriental Barcelona, tapas at Ocaña on Plaça Reial and gelato at Eyescream and Friends.

My Birthday in Paris

I have my Parisian friend Coralie to thank for suggesting I spend my 30th birthday in Paris. As we all know, Paris is always a good idea, and where better to spend a monumental birthday with friends?

Steven and I spent the first night in Pigalle with a wonderful birthday dinner on the terrace at Hotel Amour with Coralie and Sunny. We ended the night with a nightcap at Le Mansart, just a few steps away from where we were staying at the atmospheric Hotel Josephine.

Then it was on to the beautiful Pavillon de la Reine in the Marais and an evening at legendary Paris cabaret club, The Crazy Horse (I’ve always wanted to see the show in Paris). Other highlights of the trip were country-style burgers at Big Fernand (arriving soon in London), perfume shopping at Nose and watching the world go by at the Place des Vosges.

A Eastern Caribbean Cruise

This was a trip of firsts – the first time I visited the Caribbean and the first time I’d been let loose alone (well, with Steven) on a cruise ship. The Celebrity Reflection was a destination in itself with copious amounts of food and drink around the clock, a fabulous pool and sundeck and plenty of entertainment.

We explored three very different Caribbean destinations that I never thought I’d have the chance of visiting – San Juan (Puerto Rico), Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas) and Philipsburg and Marigot (St. Maarten). I’ve definitely caught the cruise bug, as they say, and look forward to more sailing with Celebrity Cruises in 2015.

After the cruise, we stayed in Miami for two nights at boutique design hotel The Tides, right on South Beach. We enjoyed a stunning dinner at The Setai, discovered the Wynwood Art District and marvelled at the pretty Art Deco buildings on South Beach. It was a perfect end to the year and led nicely into the run-up to Christmas in London.

What was your travel highlight of 2014? Which destinations are on your wish list for 2015?

All photos by Chérie City

Bars, Hotels, Hotels - Design, Paris, Restaurants

An Amazing Dinner at Hotel Amour Paris

September 30, 2014 by cheriecity

The restaurant at Hotel Amour is one of my favourite spots in Paris for a fun, stylish night out.

Tucked away on rue Navarin in hip South Pigalle (SoPi), Hotel Amour is an affordable boutique hotel with a popular restaurant and terrace. Co-owned by the inimitable graffiti artist and entrepreneur André Saraiva (Le Baron, La Fidelité, Monsieur A.) and Thierry Costes, the hotel is always buzzing with a cool crowd of Parisian creatives, fashion folk and clued-up travellers.

Many of the rooms are designed by artists such as Pierre Le-Tan, Mark Newson and Sophie Calle and there’s plenty of erotic artwork to live up to the hotel’s name – it is in racy Pigalle, after all.

New hotels and restaurants open in Paris all the time, but there’s something timeless and sexy about Hotel Amour – it never seems to go out of style.

I knew there was nowhere else I wanted to spend my recent 30th birthday than the restaurant at Hotel Amour.

Not only does it have a great atmopshere, a romantic garden and good food, but there are also tons of great bars nearby (check out Glass, Dirty Dick, Chez Moune, Le Dépanneur and Le Mansart). Also, we were conveniently staying in the neighbourhood at the delightful Hotel Josephine.

We caught up with our Parisian friends Coralie and Sunny, who managed to secure us a fantastic table on the terrace overlooking the lush outdoor garden. The evening started on a high with an unexpected birthday present for me – a very Parisian boho-luxe leather purse (Coralie has excellent taste in accessories).

We began by ordering some cocktails – Coralie and I both went for a deliciously sweet Amaretto Sour topped with toasted almonds while Sunny and Steven went for the stronger, sharper Godfather Sour.

After ordering, we were brought a basket of really good rustic bread served with a pot of French salted butter. The butter covers are printed with the cool Hotel Amour logo and even the wine glasses are engraved with André’s signature scrawl – they sure know a thing or two about branding.

Being indecisive and deep in conversation, it took us a while to decide what to order, but our charming waitresses were so relaxed and patient. As usual, I was tempted by the Cheeseburger (€19), which was cooked perfectly medium and spiked with a jazzy cocktail stick. The lean, well-seasoned beef patty was smothered in gooey cheese and packed in a seeded demi-brioche bun.

Happily, they came with a big bowl of crispy, delicious French fries – in fact the portion size was so generous that I could easily share them with the table. On other occasions, I’ve ordered the Poulet Roti (€19), which is equally moreish and comforting.

Coralie and Steven both ordered the Gratin de Macaronis au jambon blanc (16.50). The long tubes of macaroni were perfectly cooked and baked with thick-carved, flavoursome ham and lots of cream, Emmental and Gruyère. The portion size wasn’t particularly big, but the richness of the dish made it a satisfying choice.

Sunny’s Salade de Légumes (€18) took quite a while to arrive after a Salade Nicoise was mistakenly sent out. Luckily, there were plenty of fries and bread to munch on while he was waiting.

It seemed only fair that Sunny’s Chocolate Ganache (€9.50) dessert was the clear winner. The velvety, decadent milk chocolate ganache was served on a cookie crumb and topped with toasted hazelnuts and a sprinkling of sea salt.

Coralie ordered a classic Café Gourmand (with a Mariage Frère tea instead of coffee), which included a platter of four nicely-presented mini desserts. Steven and I shared a large slice of home-made Crème Caramel. It tasted fantastic but it was comically unattractive – a large slab of bubbly cream sitting in a moat of light caramel sauce, rather than the petite, quivering desserts that I’ve had before in Paris brasseries.

Hotel Amour is great for a spot of people-watching, catching up with friends or enjoying a few cocktails on the terrace. There’s room for improvement, but its charm always wins me over and I know I’ll be lured back there time and time again.

For more information and booking, visit: www.hotelamourparis.fr

Photos by Chérie City & Hotel Amour Paris

books, Fashion, France, Paris

How To Be Parisian Wherever You Are

September 3, 2014 by cheriecity

Ever wondered the secrets behind the life and style of Parisian women? Their cultural DNA has been decoded by a number of books, but none do it as well as How To Be Parisian Wherever You Are.

It’s a light-hearted guide to adding a little je ne sais quois to the everyday and approaching life’s questions with ‘what would a Parisian do’?

The authors

The book is written by four successful, bohemian-cool Parisians that make you wish you were in their gang. Audrey Diwan is a scriptwriter and film director as well as editor-at-large for Stylist magazine, while Sophie Mas is a producer with her own film company.

Author Anne Berest wrote a biography of Francoise Sagan this year and writes for television, cinema and theatre. Then there’s model Caroline de Maigret, the epitome of Parisian cool who is not only an ambassador for Chanel and muse to Lancôme, but also studied literature at the Sorbonne.

Anyone who has known a Parisian woman will attest to how awe-inspiring, captivating and stubborn they can be. My Parisian friend Coralie has always intrigued me – she just seems to instinctively know how to live well and make it look effortless, whether it’s the right beauty regime, a chic accessory or being worldly and opinionated. I recognise so much of her in this book.

Parisian style

Every aspect of the Parisian mystique is uncovered in the book, from fashion and beauty to dating, sex and parenthood.

On the fashion side, we learn the essentials of a Parisian’s wardrobe, their distaste for flashy logos, that the colour navy is always chic and the virtues of a signature item that makes you feel great (as long as it’s not Uggs).

Parisian beauty

Similarly, Parisian beauty is all about au naturel (or at leasting creating the illusion), so go easy on the make-up, don’t bother blow-drying your hair and save the surgery until your forties – even then moderation is key. Oh, and “always be fuckable: when standing in line at the bakery on a Sunday morning, buying champagne in the middle of the night or even picking the kids up from school. You never know.”

Of course, it’s more than just a style guide – there are witty anecdotes and essays on the contradictions and snobbery of Parisian women and how they interact with men, women and the city. There’s the internal anguish over what to eat on a date at Cafe de Flore, making every kiss cinematic and how to make him think you have a lover.

The book also takes a tongue-in-cheek approach to culture, sharing the books that line a Parisienne’s bookshelf (whether she’s actually read them or not), the feminist icons they connect with and the curious art of speaking politics with the mouth and sex with the eyes.

‘Without her girls gang, the Parisienne is incomplete’, but she also values the simple pleasures of being alone, doing exactly what she wants with stolen moments – a true flâneuse.

Paris addresses

The book is also peppered with some useful recipes, iconic films to transport you to Paris and little black book addresses (we all agree upon Hotel Amour for a night out).

The illustrations alone are enough to make you want to move to Paris, with photos of the authors and their impossibly cool Parisian friends including Sonia Sieff, Alix Thomsen, Jeanne Damas, Mathilde Warnier and Caroline’s husband Yarol Poupaud, alongside exclusive prints by So-Me.

How To Be Parisian Wherever You Are is witty, beautifully-written book and a reminder of why we can’t help falling in love with all things Parisian.

How To Be Parisian Wherever You Are is available from 4th September (published by Ebury Press, priced £16.99).

Hotels, Hotels - Budget, Hotels - Design, Paris

A Great Stay at Hotel Josephine, Paris

May 27, 2014 by cheriecity

Hotel Josephine is a charming four-star boutique hotel in Paris, inspired by France’s beloved queen of the Jazz Age, Josephine Baker.

Located on the corner of Rue Blanche in the 9th arrondissement, Hotel Josephine is conveniently close to romantic Montmartre, the Sacré-Cœur, lively Pigalle and the legendary Moulin Rouge.

Josephine Baker once sang ‘J’ai deux amours’ at the Moulin Rouge and made her name performing her famous banana dance at the Folies Bergère, so this quartier really was her own territory.

Hotel Josephine is cosy and stylish with 41 rooms (10 of which are superior rooms). The spacious, open-plan lobby and lounge are welcoming and attractive with comfy sofas and fireside armchairs.

There is a bookshelf full of classic and contemporary literature, a chess board and a bar area to really make you feel at home. The handy business centre opposite the lounge offers use of a computer and printer, plus a coffee machine for complimentary hot drinks.

Interior designer Julie Gauthron perfectly captures the bohemian spirit of this historically rebellious neighbourhood with vintage-inspired prints, sepia-toned colours, pretty ornaments and photographs of decadent times gone by.

The Room

Our Standard Double Room on the first floor was petite and homely with lots of character. It’s the kind of quirky room in which Montmartre resident Amélie Poulain might sleep. In fact, I was almost expecting the people in the photographs adorning the walls to come alive and start speaking to us.

The room was designed in bold purple and red shades with attractive clashing prints on the walls, headboard and retro wardrobe and a number of black and white photographs of scenes from Paris cabarets. Room features include an LCD TV, a simple desk with painted wooden chair and a little stool, a vintage-style phone, good air-conditioning, free wifi and a tea and coffee maker (a rare amenity in Paris).

There is also a Haussmannian juliette balcony, so you can open the windows and take in the atmosphere of busy rue Blanche below. A copy of Numéro was provided for stylish bedtime reading and there was a set of Hotel Josephine branded stationery for old fashioned correspondence and note-taking.

The queen-size bed was very comfortable and I had a fantastic, uninterrupted night’s sleep, despite being so close to the street on the first floor. The bed linen and plump pillows were excellent and I loved the lace-effect cushions.

Bathroom

The small bathroom was designed in dark red and maroon shades and the shower lined with tiny irridescent mosaic tiles had impressively powerful water pressure – I found it particularly blissful after a long day of travelling by plane. It took me a while to realise, but the bathroom can be sectioned off by a red opaque sliding door, offering just enough privacy.

The hotel standard bathroom products were uninteresting and there was no conditioner provided – some lovely branded products such as L’Occitane, REN or Molton Brown would be a better fit.

Hotel Josephine doesn’t have a restaurant, but there is a wealth of excellent restaurants and bars in the hip South Pigalle (SoPi) neighbourhood. That evening, we went to the brasserie at nearby Hotel Amour for dinner and enjoyed a late-night Kir on the terrace of Le Mansart, a cool bar just a few steps away from the hotel.

Also worth trying while staying in the area are NYC-Paris ‘gastrotheque’ Buvette, creative cocktail bar Glass and low-key burger bar La Maison Mère.

Breakfast

In the morning, we enjoyed a continental buffet breakfast in Hotel Josephine’s arched vaulted cellar.

The breakfast was plentiful and varied, including scrambled eggs, sausages, croissants, pain au chocolat, brioche, baguette, cold meat, cheeses, cereal, granola, yoghurts, fresh fruit, a selection of Tropicana juices and my favourite French apple compote. I loved the fresh, flaky pastries served with every possible flavour of Bonne Maman jam or marmelade in mini pots – the perfect way to start the day in Paris.

Espresso-based coffees are available on request and tea and coffee are also self-service, so there’s no need to wait for a hot drink.

The weather wasn’t on our side during our stay in Paris, but luckily Hotel Josephine has a stack of branded umbrellas for guests to use in the lobby – a very thoughtful touch. Of course, the bad weather didn’t stop us from exploring Paris, as tempting as it was to cosy up in the lounge.

Hotel Josephine is a delightful, creative hotel that offers a glorious, rose-tinted view of northern Paris. The design and small touches throughout the hotel really revive the glamour of Josephine Baker’s world. Plus, the location is unbeatable if you’re looking for a fun, energetic short break in Paris.

Rooms at Hotel Josephine start at €170 during low and mid season and from €250 during high season. For more information and booking, visit: www.hotel-josephine.com

Chérie City was invited by Hotel Josephine

Photos by Chérie City

Hotels, Hotels - Design, London

A Great Stay at Town Hall Hotel London

February 20, 2012 by cheriecity

Imagine a hotel where you can spend a few hours freshening up after a long journey, preparing for a business meeting or engaging in a romantic tryst without have to spend the whole nightly rate. Day Use Hotels makes the ‘mini stay’ possible at a negotiated rate in some of London’s most exclusive hotels.

Already popular in Paris and cities around Europe, Day Use offers a new hotel experience, made easier by its quick, discreet and easy-to-use website. Founded by five friends who met and worked at Andre Saraiva’s Hotel Amour in Paris, Day Use was inspired by guests wishing to book rooms by the hour.

As the creator of Love Graffiti and a generally amorous kind of guy, André must have been happy to support the combination of love and hotels proposed by his colleagues. Co-founder Thibaud d’Agrèves told me: “We all worked for and with André for many years. André has these skills to support all new project and as we worked together, he made us a little clip art which represents his vision of our concept and offered us that as a gift to begin our new adventure.”

‘Love hotels’ have been a part of life in countries such as Brazil and Spain, where people often live with their parents longer and want some privacy for their love lives.

Thibaud explained: “This practice has existed for years, today we are modernising it with the internet. It becomes even trendy, glamorous and modern to offer a dayuse. Attitudes are changing.”

Town Hall Hotel

I visited the Town Hall Hotel in Bethnal Green to see just what this cheeky little 11am-5pm visit would inspire. Don’t expect all the details of what goes on behind my closed hotel door, but I can tell you I left feeling rejuvenated and relaxed, without the need to even stay the night.

Town Hall Hotel is a luxury boutique hotel and residence with 98 rooms in the East End. The Grade II listed Edwardian former council building is full of character, with Art Deco interiors at play with cutting edge design and vintage furniture.

The Lobby

Town Hall Hotel has invested in some intriguing art works by six East London artists, which you can discover around the hotel. Some of my favourites were the vault at the entrance, a giant Victorian dolls house and a mounted moose’s head covered in a Persian rug.

The Studio Room

Our Studio Room was very spacious and a stunning mix of polished wood, wool and felt furnishings in neutral and green shades. The room was filled with a mix of designer furniture and vintage pieces, with original artwork on the walls.

The Kitchen

Unlike most hotel rooms, ours had a fully-appointed, partitioned kitchen with a Musetti espresso machine and selection of teas, cooking utencils and crockery and a fridge stocked with fresh milk and bottle of complimentary mineral water.

The Bedroom

It also had a separate dining table and a living space with a stack of magazines and a large flat screen TV. The bedroom had a partition to change the energy of the room and an incredibly comfy double bed with sumptuous linen and plenty of pillows. I loved the double sheepskin rugs by the sides of the bed.

The Bathroom

The open glass bathroom was a cool design feature and had tiny mosaic walls and a powerful shower. Bathroom amenities were by Rituals and there were embroidered bath robes and slippers, plenty of fluffy towels and a cute rubber duck in the shower.

Floor to ceiling windows provided plenty of natural daylight and the decorative aluminium grate cleverly shields the room from the view of nearby residents.

A Welcome Treat

We were welcomed with a delicious exotic fruit plate, which we grazed on throughout the day. During our six hours at the Town Hall Hotel, we made use of the complimentary wifi, took a dip in the stunning pool and managed to squeeze in a long afternoon nap.

Viajante Bar

After checking out, we made use of our welcome drink voucher at the ever so stylish bar of the Michelin starred restaurant, Viajante. We sipped on the House Punch and did a spot of people-watching, as Viajante chef Nuno Mendes spoke to journalists at the next table.

The Corner Room

There really is no need to leave the Town Hall Hotel, as Viajante offers experimental cooking to impress, while The Corner Room is great for more informal food with a daily changing menu. The Town Hall Tea Lady comes by the rooms with her martini trolley in the evening, should you want a cocktail in the privacy of your own room and there’s even a room service menu by The Corner Room.

If you’re staying for longer, you can book the spectacular De Montfort suite, which spans three floors, or arrange a private dinner with a chef in your room.

Location

With Day Use, you’d be tempted stay all day in your room, but should you wish to pop out for some air, there are some great local restaurants and cafes such as Bistrotheque, Ombra, E5 Bakehouse and Mare Street Market. Also worth a visit are the art galleries on Vyner Street and the weekend food markets on Broadway Market and leafy London Fields.

With the fleeting, romantic nature of Day Use, surely the co-founders have come across plenty of secrets and juicy gossip. Thibaud said: “Secrets should stay secret, but I can tell you that we helped a lot of people, couples in their construction of relationships and themselves. Of course we have a lot of spicy feedback and romantic story to tell you but that something we keep for ourselves.”

Day Use has a great selection of London hotels, including Ten Manchester Street, St John Hotel and The Beaufort, and will gradually expand to other cities in the UK and soon New York.

Chérie City was a guest of Day Use and Town Hall Hotel.