Hôtel Bourg Tibourg is a real hidden gem in the heart of the Marais with the feel of an exquisite private residence.
Nestled on the chic rue Bourg-Tibourg, close to high end tea emporium Mariage Frères, the hotel is so discreet that it can only be recognised by its signature clover motif. I’ve strolled up and down this street countless times and this was the first time I’ve ever been able to locate the hotel.
Design
Hôtel Bourg Tibourg is an independent Marais boutique hotel with a serious style pedigree, designed by the renowned Jacques Garcia in 2001.
The hotel has just 30 rooms and is small but perfectly formed, with exquisite interiors and a cool, sophisticated ambiance. The style is neo-gothic with opulent Byzantine and Oriental touches.
Check-In
Entering the hotel, it felt like we had arrived at a bijou Parisian townhouse with lots of character and a touch of mystery. We were warmly welcomed by the staff dressed stylishly in black and were offered a drink in the lounge while our room was checked over.
It’s a delightfully homely space with comfy sofas, a vintage record player, coffee table books, a Costes brown candle burning an intoxicating wood and bitter orange scent and the sultry sounds of Hôtel Bourg Tibourg’s exclusive vinyl album, ‘Nice Girls Don’t Stay For Breakfast’, playing in the background.
Next door is a library and honesty bar with a plush chaise-longue, inviting armchairs and bowls of fresh red apples. The double doors lead out on to the atmospheric, red-hued inner courtyard with a statement water fountain, creeping ivy and heady jasmine flowers blending with the aromas of burning candles.
The Room
After relaxing in the lounge momentarily, we were swiftly shown to our Double Deluxe Room via the super-tiny lift that can only really fit two people sans luggage. The smart, royal blue corridors led on to our room, which we accessed with an ornate blue and gold tassle key.
We were pleasantly surprised with the size of our room, proving Jacques Garcia’s design philosophy that ‘small can become grand’. It must be one of the sexiest bedrooms in Paris, designed with a mix of stripes and filigree in a palette of rich vermillion, ochre and navy blue.
There are some stunning design touches such as Jacques Garcia’s signature silk tassel lamps, side tables with studded legs and a luxurious striped carpet.
Room features include a super-comfy double bed covered in fine, crisp linen, a B&O flat screen TV, CD and DVD player, wardrobe with shelves and hanging space, minibar, free wifi and a cute upholstered table with little red velvet stools.
If you feel like having a cosy night in or escaping bad weather, you can watch a DVD from the extensive library with room service and borrow an iPad.
Waiting for us in the room was the most perfect plate of fresh strawberries and raspberries, a set of beautifully-shot postcards (the beautifully-shot images can be admired on the hotel website), an English edition of Palace Costes magazine and a hand-written welcome note.
We grazed on the delicious berries while exploring the room and they were made even sweeter when enjoyed on the romantic balcony, where we could people-watch from high above the Marais.
The Bathroom
Behind the double wood doors carved with the hotel’s clover motif was the spacious, wood-panelled bathroom. It includes a large sink, deep-soaking bathtub and mosaic-tiled shower with good water pressure and plenty of fluffy towels.
Best of all is the full set of Costes red line bathroom products with a spicy floral aroma of juniper berries, coriander seeds, rosewood, incense, musk, laurel, white pepper and lavender. As a discerning hotel bathroom product lover, I was thrilled to try out these exclusive products during our stay and the intense scents filled our room with a seductive aroma.
That afternoon, Steven headed over to the Palais de Tokyo while I caught up with my Parisian friend Coralie for some shopping and afternoon tea in the Marais. With so many French designer stores, cute independent boutiques and pavement cafes and boulangeries on the doorstep, the hotel’s prime location really is unbeatable.
Breakfast
After a glorious night’s sleep in that heavenly bed, we headed down to the basement breakfast room for a morning feast. We had the cavernous, arched room all to ourselves and loved its atmospheric mix of Medieval-style tapestries, ornate chandeliers, cheetah print chairs and tassels aplenty.
We were served pots of Mariage Frères Earl Grey tea and large glasses of freshly-squeezed orange juice, along with another beautifully-manicured fruit plate and fat-free yoghurts.
Breakfast also includes two organic eggs with the option of adding bacon or smoked salmon, but we simply enjoyed the exquisite pastries and ficelle baguette accompanied by jams and French butter. I highly recommend taking a leisurely breakfast at Hôtel Bourg Tibourg, as it really enhances the hotel experience and is a luxurious start to the day.
Hôtel Bourg Tibourg is a stylish bolthole that will set your heart aflutter with its sumptuous design, cool ambiance and attention to detail. It’s an irresistible hotel for couples spending a romantic break in Paris and is sure to make for a memorable stay.
For more information and booking, visit: www.bourgtibourg.com
Chérie City was a guest of Hôtel Bourg Tibourg Paris
All photos by Chérie City
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