We have much to thank the French for: Chanel, French kissing, le fromage bien fort, this list goes on. But not quite so widely-acknowledged are the number of pretty French words we’ve appropriated into the English language, ‘boutique’ being one of them.
Now, if ever a hotel merited such a fetching descriptor, it is the Marquis Faubourg Saint-Honoré – formerly the C.18th private mansion of Marquis de Lafayette, it’s now a 15-room luxury boutique hotel under the gimlet eye of architect and interior designer Michele Bönan.
The suites are so amply dotted with historically-sensitive features like Grecian busts and urns, chaises longues, and Carrara marble bathrooms, you might wonder if the old Marquis ever moved out – but the addition of mod cons (40-inch flatscreens, free WiFi, Hermès bath products, all-important Nespresso machine, et al.), as well as contemporary canvasses and the occasional splash of bright colour will assure you that indeed, this is a thoroughly C.21st abode.
Marquis Faubourg wastes no time with fussy restaurants or thumping cocktail bars as there’s plenty of both to be had in the surrounding area. They’ve kept it simple and discreet with private lounge Le Gilbert, serving breakfast and only light meals and drinks after that, as well as a gym tucked away in the cellar and a neighbouring spa that offers in-room treatments. Mais, what more could you possibly want, chérie?!
Marquis Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 8 rue d’Anjou, Paris. +33 1 4480 0000, marquisfaubourgsainthonore.com
