Dramatic views and even a pool within the coronary heart of Paris: A evaluation of Kimpton St Honoré Paris

Situated in Paris’ upscale Opéra district, the 149-key Kimpton St Honoré Paris is an artwork nouveau jewel, combining emblematic unique options with modern facilities and Parisian aptitude. Relationship to 1917, the long-lasting constructing initially housed the second location of the well-known La Samaritaine division retailer (as soon as referred to as Samaritaine de Luxe).

Since its debut as a boutique Kimpton resort in 2021, this property has change into one thing of a normal bearer for the model’s fast enlargement in Europe. Past its historic aura and true sense of place, this brand-true Kimpton stands out for its wonderful facilities, together with a beautiful rooftop bar with sweeping views of town’s legendary landmarks, an opulent spa and even a small swimming pool.

As one in every of TPG’s favourite lodges in Paris, I used to be eager to see if it could reside as much as my lofty expectations. In case you are contemplating a keep at this luxury Kimpton property, here is what that you must know.

Fast take

The Kimpton St Honoré Paris is a registered historic landmark designed by architect Frantz Jourdain. The outside options the unique curved facade trimmed with turquoise steel framework and embellished with floral patterns. You may additionally see marble panels with copper and wrought iron throughout. It is a beautiful constructing.

Step contained in the foyer and you will find inviting gathering spots set amongst unique wrought-iron elevators and grand staircases, whereas up within the light-filled visitor rooms (extra on these later) veteran inside designer Charles Zana — recognized for his clear strains, refined colour palette and traditional Thirties influences — brings his distinctive Parisian aesthetic.

The renovated areas opened to the general public in 2021, so it nonetheless appears like a brand new property. The bottom flooring and mezzanine additionally function areas generally known as the Residing Room and the Library, however you will discover no scarcity of little alcoves or areas to plop down in. On the second flooring, you will additionally discover an space the place you’ll be able to look out to the bustling avenue under.

Find out how to e-book the Kimpton St Honoré Paris

TPG booked the Kimpton St Honoré Paris utilizing IHG One Rewards factors. We spent a complete of 209,000 IHG One Rewards factors for 2 nights (or 105,000 factors for the primary evening and 104,000 factors for the second evening).

TPG values IHG One Rewards factors at 0.5 cents apiece, bringing the worth of my keep to $1,045. The identical nights booked with money would have value no less than $1,248, so it was a good redemption on this case. The money charges on the resort are often a lot increased, and the award nights sometimes value as little as 78,000 IHG One Rewards factors per evening (when there’s availability), so it is attainable to get much more worth out of your keep through the use of factors.

IHG Motels & Resorts

As a result of TPG booked my stick with factors, I did not earn factors for the room reserving. Nevertheless, I did put my room prices on my IHG Rewards Membership Choose Card (now not open to new candidates), so I earned 3,232 IHG One Rewards factors (which TPG values at about $16). Had I stayed longer, I may’ve used the cardboard to take pleasure in a fourth evening free on award stays.

The data for the IHG Rewards Membership Choose Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.

Location of the Kimpton St Honoré Paris

The Kimpton St Honoré Paris is in a brilliant central a part of city, simply steps from the Palais Garnier opera home that you’ve got undoubtedly seen in motion pictures and TV exhibits. It is on Boulevard des Capucines straight throughout from the InterContinental Paris – Le Grand and simply across the nook from one other IHG property, the Resort Indigo Paris – Opera.

There’s quick access to wonderful purchasing, together with luxurious French style home Kenzo down the boulevard and a Cartier boutique throughout the road. Plus, you’ll be able to attain well-known French malls like Galeries Lafayette and Printemps on foot. Oh, there may be additionally an enormous Apple Retailer simply down the road.

Among the high points of interest in Paris, together with the Louvre, Place de la Concorde and the Tuileries Backyard, are inside a 20-minute stroll as effectively.

You possibly can take the specific RoissyBus shuttle (16.20 euros/$17.30 for 60 minutes) on to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) from the Opéra cease close to the resort. The property is only a few hundred ft from the Opéra metro station, too.

Fashionable rooms on the Kimpton St Honoré Paris

Moving into these charming lodging appears like getting into your individual Paris pied-a-terre, with floor-to-ceiling home windows, customized art work and different design parts.

Paris resort rooms are typically on the small aspect, and the Kimpton St Honoré Paris is not any exception — rooms begin at simply 220 sq. ft. Whereas there wasn’t numerous elbow room contained in the room, my small balcony definitely helped add further dwelling area. Regardless of touring with a plus one, I wasn’t bothered by the dearth of area.

Along with the rooms, there are 26 suites to select from, which supply much more area (starting from 526 to 1,100 sq. ft) and begin from round $1,300 per evening.

In the event you follow a normal room, request one with a balcony. Thirty of the rooms have them, and the additional amenity provides lots to the expertise. Know, although, that you’ll want to pay round $100 extra per evening for the function, relying on the season.

Bang & Olufsen Bluetooth audio system are positioned subsequent to the beds, and there are many electrical shops. All rooms have espresso machines, electrical tea kettles, bottled nonetheless and glowing water, and minibars stocked with high-end spirits like gin and vodka from Distillerie de Paris. Additional espresso pods, sweeteners and creamers had been delivered promptly throughout my keep.

Moreover, you will discover some native treats like Superproducteur chips and Le Bonbon Francais jelly candies. My favourite was the chocolate wrapped in a field with the resort’s design on the packaging.

Whereas the outside of the resort is all about artwork nouveau design, the interiors have extra of an artwork deco aptitude, with designer Charles Zana incorporating his signature Thirties design components into every room and suite’s decor.

The designer additionally commissioned a who’s who of French inventive homes for decorations, together with Maison Lucien Gau for the lighting and Pierre Mesguich Mosaik for the ceramics.

The widespread areas and rooms function art work chosen by Charles Zana with the assistance of Amelie du Chalard from the Marion d’artwork.

Black and white are the outstanding colours within the rooms, with occasional pops of colour like purple and turquoise.

The bogs are luxuriously appointed with Carrara marble, black and white tiles, facilities by French spa firm Codage, walk-in showers with nice water stress and separate water closets for the bogs. There was no bathtub within the little lavatory, however it was fairly good nonetheless.

There have been fluffy towels, a heated towel rack, heated flooring and robes labeled as St Honoré.

General, the room was effectively appointed and opulent, if a little bit on the small aspect.

Meals and beverage on the Kimpton St Honoré Paris

Whereas this boutique resort would not have a ton of meals and beverage decisions on-site, you are in the course of Paris, so that you’re by no means distant from a very good meal. The 2 on-site eating places, nevertheless, are merely fantastic.

Sequoia

Whether or not you go for drinks or not, the rooftop bar Sequoia must be the primary cease as soon as you’ve got checked into your room. There are spectacular views from each course.

In the event you do go for meals or drinks, know that there is a minimal spend requirement of 40 euros ($43) per particular person, however the venue is open from 3 p.m. till midnight (although I had no hassle exhibiting up earlier within the day) should you simply need to pop in for the views. Drinks are decently priced at round 14 euros ($15.21) for a glass of wine.

The out of doors area options tables and chairs organized to offer 360-degree views of both the Eiffel Tower or the close by Paris Garnier opera home. You can too see Montmartre, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the high-rises of La Défense, town’s enterprise district. This rooftop view is that memorable, distinctive sort of function that makes you need to return to a property time and again.

Montecito

California delicacies in Paris? Sure, please. I assume the California-themed components of the resort (Sequoia and Montecito) are a tribute to the Kimpton model’s founding in San Francisco. Montecito took its title from town in Southern California and serves a enjoyable mixture of American and Mexican dishes.

Montecito is actually a vacation spot restaurant unto itself. Whilst you can entry it from throughout the resort, there’s additionally a separate entrance off Boulevard des Capucines. I handled household associates from Los Angeles to dinner on the restaurant one evening, and all of us loved the meals. It is a glamorous setting with a DJ spinning tunes at evening and a bustling bar. It is obtained a little bit of Hollywood stylish thrown in with the Parisian design by the structure agency Humbert & Poyet.

My associates and I attempted a number of nice dishes, together with the guacamole and tortilla chips (extra like Doritos), the pink hummus and pita bread (made with beetroot), stir-fried broccolini and the miniature macaroni and cheese. Yum.

Day by day breakfast can be served at Montecito, which my visitor and I discovered wonderful. Service was immediate and pleasant, and there was an unbelievable choice of French pastries together with all of the traditional breakfast buffet gadgets. Eggs had been cooked to order or accessible on the buffet. In whole, we spent 42 euros ($45) for breakfast, although the cost was waived for the reason that reserving was made with factors by an IHG One Rewards member who holds top-tier Diamond Elite standing.

The restaurant additionally has an enormous room service menu with meals equipped by Montecito. One observe, whereas there may be late-night room service accessible, at 10 p.m., it switches to a restricted menu that consists of heated-up jars of vegetarian meals with weird choices like veggie chili and vegetable curry. You are higher off going subsequent door to the enormous outpost of 5 Guys if starvation strikes late at evening.

The unbelievable spa and pool on the Kimpton St Honoré Paris

I’m head over heels in love with the facilities on the Kimpton St Honoré Paris. I used the pool, sauna and steam room each day of my keep, and I’d return only for one other probability to make use of these amenities.

The Codage spa amenities are on the decrease degree of the resort. There are wheelchair-friendly altering rooms and an accessible sauna and steam room together with a small pool. The swimming pool is massive sufficient for doing laps, however it may well get crowded if quite a lot of persons are having fun with the amenities. Whereas I used to be there, I largely had it to myself.

If you have not heard of Codage, you’ll probably bump into it someday sooner or later. The French agency formulates skincare merchandise primarily based in your pores and skin sort. Actually, they may create a particular formulation only for you if you go to.

I handled myself to a one-hour deep muscle therapeutic massage that value me round 171 euros ($186, earlier than tip). There are two stress-free therapy rooms with a few of the spa’s signature Codage lotions and oils used within the massages. The expertise was beautiful. Whereas it felt a little bit dear to me, that is fairly commonplace for a resort therapeutic massage as of late.

There’s additionally a small exercise room within the basement. In contrast to the spa, it’s open 24 hours a day, although you will want your room key for entry.

The opposite amenity I took benefit of was the complimentary bikes you can borrow for a trip round Paris. The bikes include helmets and bike locks, and I strongly suggest making the most of them, because the drivers in Paris might be … aggressive. My helmet might have elicited some giggles from observers, however it made me really feel safer.

Why the Kimpton St Honoré Paris might not be for you

No resort is ideal. Whereas I loved my time on the Kimpton St Honoré Paris, there are just a few explanation why it might not be the resort for you.

  • Like different Paris lodges, this one is dear. You will not discover many nights for lower than $475, and whereas that is not outrageous for Paris, there are cheaper choices on the market.
  • Many of the rooms on the Kimpton St Honoré are on the petite aspect. Except you might be in a set, chances are you’ll discover the rooms a bit cramped and even claustrophobic, although having a balcony does assist should you select a smaller room. There are lots of room sorts accessible, so know that your expertise right here will significantly differ relying in your assigned room. Greater flooring may have higher views.
  • The Kimpton St Honoré is on the informal aspect. That is really a promoting level for me, however I do know some friends might not be as keen on the casualness of the workers. You will not discover uniformed workers right here, so look elsewhere if that is the Paris vibe you might be after. It is a youthful, cooler crowd with a extra laid-back perspective (suppose: California dwelling, not a grand resort).

Accessibility

I used to be impressed with how accessible the Kimpton St Honoré Paris was for otherwise abled folks. The resort instructed me it has 5 rooms which are totally wheelchair accessible, together with one king suite, one king premium room and three important rooms.

These rooms function roll-in showers, seize bars, broad doorways and beds and tables which are simply reachable by anybody in a wheelchair. Actually, the resort has just a few sections on the web site devoted to clients who’re otherwise abled.

Public restrooms are accessible and have seize bars put in as effectively. The identical is true for the bathe on the swimming pool within the basement.

I discovered that even the common amenities had been wheelchair-friendly, with wide-open widespread areas and elevators which are broad sufficient for mobility help gadgets. Nevertheless, keep in mind that the resort was normal from a number of buildings, so some flooring are uneven, and you can find stairways in lots of components of the property.

Options to the Kimpton St Honoré Paris

If the Kimpton St Honoré Paris would not sound fairly best for you, there are many different properties the place you’ll be able to take up residence whereas visiting the Metropolis of Gentle (like my favourite, the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme).

If you need one other IHG possibility, the InterContinental Paris – Le Grand is actually throughout the road. The stunning rooms have just lately been refreshed. The Resort Indigo Paris – Opera can be shut by, and the brand new Voco Paris Montparnasse has rooms beginning at $150 an evening, must you favor one thing extra inexpensive.

World of Hyatt members have a spread of beautiful choices, too. To start out, there’s the Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile, plus the beforehand talked about Park Hyatt. Different noteworthy choices embody the Hôtel du Louvre, the Hyatt Paris Madeleine and each a Hyatt Home and a Hyatt Place close to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG).

Hilton followers even have an array of properties to select from. They embody the Maison Astor Paris, Curio Assortment by Hilton; the Hilton Paris Opera; the Cover by Hilton Paris Trocadero; the Hilton Paris La Protection; and Le Belgrand Resort Paris Champs Elysees, Tapestry Assortment by Hilton. For a budget-friendly possibility, take into account the Niepce Paris Resort. It is a Curio Assortment by Hilton, and whereas it is not in one of the best location, the value is correct. It is roomy and stylish inside.

Lastly, if you’re searching for a Marriott Bonvoy property, there are fairly just a few glamorous decisions in Paris. The Westin Paris – Vendôme is a go-to for a lot of Marriott loyalists, because it has a central location and old-world Paris magnificence. The Paris Marriott Opera Ambassador Resort close to the Kimpton St Honoré is an alternative choice, as is Le Roch Resort & Spa from the Design Motels group. The latter sits near the Tuileries Backyard (identical to the Westin and the Park Hyatt) and will get excessive marks from current friends.

Trying out

I completely beloved my keep on the stylish and quirky Kimpton St Honoré Paris and haven’t any qualms about recommending it to others. Actually, I instructed a buddy to e-book it for his upcoming journey to Paris over Thanksgiving.

The charming spa and swimming pool within the basement had been main promoting factors, and the reimagined interiors and stylish decorations set a glamorous tone for my keep. Whereas my cozy room was a bit on the small aspect, the balcony added to the resort’s attract. The actual spotlight for me, although, was that unbelievable rooftop with panoramic views of a few of Paris’ most recognizable points of interest. I might e-book the resort once more for these views alone and may’t wait to return.

 

Leave a comment