From the outside, the brick colour of its entrance is in keeping with the inter-war buildings that line Paris's inner ring road. Once through the door, the atmosphere is more akin to Vincennes zoo. A lion, an ostrich, a gazelle, a pelican holding a light in its mouth or beak: the welcoming committee is representative of the atmosphere created by Kopster hotels. And the one that has just opened near the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre is no exception to the rule.
Tapestries blending tropical flora and fauna brighten up bedrooms and communal areas alike, while exotic lighting and ethnic influences inspire the Lavorel Group's brand to immerse travellers in its wilderness. a warm, contemporary world. With a totem animal as the common thread running through the decor, designed by interior architect Eric Boyer.
Watch out for the gorilla
After the giraffe for the first link opened in 2018 in Décines, near Lyon's Groupama Stadium, followed by the zebra at the Kopster Paris Ouest Colombesinaugurated last year, the brand's first establishment in Paris has given itself a new lease of life. the monkey as emblem. " An extremely sociable animal, a symbol of sharing" notes the hotel group. This is in line with the "just like home" feel that this concept, which currently comprises three top-of-the-range hotels with an urban chic feel, is intended to offer. " The hardest thing is not getting customers to come, but getting them to come back. If you feel at home, in a warm atmosphere, you're almost there." says Jean-Claude Lavorel, founder and chairman of the hotel group.
Wood lounge-library corners where you can relax, have a drink or work, with antiques and furniture inspired by the 1960s and 70s. "that you could find at home "The Kopster Paris Porte de Versailles takes the concept in its own way, within the walls of what was for a long time a Median hotel. " We started with an existing establishment, in a deplorable state of repair, of which we kept almost only the walls." explains Jean-Claude Lavorel.
However, there are still some distinctive features, such as the absence of a proper restaurant, which is compensated for by a vast mezzanine breakfast areaIt can also be used for cocktails and study days. The hotel also offers a snack menu at the bar, with pizzas and spreads for a quick snack or on the terrace in fine weather.
Another legacy of the old establishment, the Kopster hasa large car parkThe hotel's proximity to the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre is an important factor in attracting exhibitors arriving by car. This is obviously the hotel's major advantage for business travellers, as it is just a few minutes' walk from the pavilions of this major Parisian convention and trade show venue. Opposite the Balard metro station and a tram stop, the new Kopster hotel intends to take advantage of its location to attract a large proportion of business travellerswhich should make up 60% of its customer base. This is a smaller proportion than at Décines or Colombes, where business travellers account for 80%.
Thanks to its location in the capital, with direct access to public transport, the hotel can count on a leisure clientele to keep it busy. This is why the hotel has several family rooms with sofas that can be converted into beds. In total, the hotel has 126 rooms The rooms are divided into five categories, each with a king-size bed, Chromecast TV and coffee machine in most of them, as well as desks featuring a retro mustard yellow telephone, the dominant tone of the hotel. With a wildlife tapestry above the bed and a monkey on the floor lamp, the decor reflects the Kopster concept.
As for the next hotel, what will its totem animal be? There are still a lot of interesting animals on the savannah" says Jean-Claude Lavorel, without giving any further details about future projects in any of France's major cities, the brand's target markets.
