There’s no shortage of beautiful hotels in Paris, with 5-star services, excellent amenities, and of course, Eiffel Tower views. But quality travelers always know that, in Paris, it’s the neighborhood that sets the tone of the trip. The city takes pride in its localization and walkability. While neighborhoods surrounding Place de la Concorde or the Louvre are touristy, tasteful travelers know that Parisians themselves flock to Saint-Germain-des-Pres, fondly known as a neighborhood of artists. Now, this historic neighborhood houses a gorgeous new boutique hotel!
The Star-Studded Neighborhood
Saint-Germain-des-Pres is a quintessential Parisian neighborhood, with winding cobblestone streets, Haussmann architecture, and cafés and bistros frequented by artists. Located on the left bank of the Seine, the streets of this neighborhood are lined with roadside parks and distinct Haussmann-style buildings. Museums and art galleries dot the area, while venues like Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots Café carry the centuries-old legacy of being favorite spots of Ernest Hemingway, Sharon Stone, Jack Nicholson, and many other iconic figures. From Pablo Picasso to Johnny Depp, many celebrities have been drawn to the allure of this Paris neighborhood and made their second home base here. Several Michelin-starred restaurants like Armani Ristorante contribute to the blossoming culinary scene of the area.
The New Hotel
Right down the street from Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore, and a few blocks from Armani Ristorante, Hotel Bel Ami is located in a former 18th-century printworks establishment. The hotel is filled with book collections, paying an ode to the creative minds that inhabited this locality in Paris for centuries. This new art-inspired hotel showcases playful artistic touches like cozy Silvera bubble chairs, solid glass circles, etc. The 102 rooms of the property continue the artsy theme with tasteful prints and pops of colors. The hotel also includes expansive apartments with multiple bedrooms, outdoor terraces, kitchenettes, and washing machines.
The Curated Offerings
This new boutique hotel in Paris also features an on-site sauna and a small fitness center. The guests are greeted each morning with a full organic breakfast, which includes homemade bread, freshly-squeezed juices, and a wide selection of cold and warm breakfast dishes. Those who won’t opt to have their meal in the comfort of their rooms can enjoy it in the airy and brightly-lit Restaurant Les Mots Passants, overlooking the pretty city streets through a wall of windows. The evening in this Saint-Germain-des-Pres hotel comes with tapas paired with an extensive drink menu, setting the tone for a quintessential night out in Paris.
3 Ultimate Travel Destinations According to Lonely Planet
The world is full of amazing places that all of us want to visit and experience. From ancient ruins to majestic mountains to modern-day metropolises, there is an abundance of choices that can easily overwhelm us. Lonely Planet has compiled a list of three amazing destinations that every traveler should consider for their pending vacation.
1. Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, Australia
Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park is a protected natural site in the Northern Territory of Australia. It is home to both Kata Tjuṯa and Uluṟu (also known as Ayers Rock). At sunset, the latter features golden tones that will leave you speechless and mesmerized. The sandstone monolith is 1,142ft tall and can be seen from miles away. It is a sacred site to the Aṉangu people, the area’s original inhabitants, who believe it is home to the spirits of their ancestors. The park has plenty to offer, including hopping kangaroos in their natural habitat.
2. Petra, Jordan
Lonely Planet describes the ancient city of Petra as a must-see site. Located in the Levant region of Western Asia in the country of Jordan, Petra was almost lost to the world. The sandstone city was built by the Nabateans to serve as a trade stop-off between Arabian oases. Today, it’s one of the world’s most visited places and in 2007 was voted as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The Treasury is the city’s most iconic landmark and will surely take your breath away.
3. Okavango Delta
The Okavango River flows from the Angolan highlands until it reaches its delta in the southern African country of Botswana. This unique ecosystem spans over almost 7,722 sq miles and substance vast wildlife that you want to discover for yourself. You can do that by 4WD safaris or powerboard and mokoro (dugout canoe) rides.
Any of these three astounding destinations suggested by Lonely Planet will enable you to create memories that you will recount over and over again as the years pass.