Paris already treated itself at the start of the year to a hotel inviting you to hum Cloclo, the Belinda, with its 73 lovely, lovely, lovely rooms, naturally. Today, reading the programme of new hotels expected in the capital, one might feel like revisiting Bob Saint-Clar, the fake James Bond and real Jean-Paul Belmondo. *Le Magnifique*. The film was a success in the seventies; the hotel of the same name is doubtless hoping for the same longevity. Although, unlike the Hotel Belinda, where the references to the yé-yé years are obvious, the Hôtel Le Magnifique only shares its title with Philippe de Broca's spy film pastiche. And a certain artistic flair too.
The result of the renovation of the former M hotel, near Montparnasse station, the establishment is located on rue de la Gaîté, in the former Les Mille Colonnes theatre, built at the beginning of the 19th century.e century and the "tout-Paris" of the 1930s to 1950s. Entirely re-imagined, this boutique hotel draws on a universe created by interior designer Vincent Darré across 62 rooms, all conceived as original creations, from the furniture to the tiling and lighting. All this is in addition to the hand-painted columns evoking those of La Coupole at the hotel's entrance, and a large fresco celebrating the world of arts and the circus.
" This place is more than a hotel; it's an atypical vision where all the arts are brought together to evoke an imaginary Paris for the client, with every detail designed to bring the refinement of French decorative arts style. », describes the designer and stylist, who was long Karl Lagerfeld's right-hand man. A place where travellers will also find, to relax, a swimming pool opening onto a patio reminiscent of a Greek palace and a bar, Le Picabia, named in reference to the Parisian painter, living to the rhythm of the nearby theatres.
The travelling spirit
Also in a newly renovated hotel, the Minuit Express bar evokes less the unfriendly Turkish jails of the seventies or Giorgio Moroder's synthesizers, and more the legendary trains of the Roaring Twenties. This is achieved through a travelogue offered by Head Bartender Mahdi Provost, allowing patrons to journey from classic cocktails of the European Grand Tour Express to the distinctive spirits of the Panamerican Express or the oriental flavours of the Moonlight Express. All of this is accompanied by sharing plates created by chef Khalid Mansour.
This discreet and hushed venue is part of the new decor at the Hôtel La Bourdonnais, designed by interior architect Oscar Lucien Ono. Already working on the rejuvenation of other establishments in the Inwood Hotels group, such as the Soleia in Nice and the Villa Miraé in Cap d'Antibes, the founder of the Maison Numéro 20 studio was inspired by the famous explorer who gives the hotel its name, Mahé de La Bourdonnais, to give the entire establishment a travelling spirit, blending French elegance with a taste for elsewhere.
Located just a stone's throw from the Champ de Mars, the hotel offers 53 rooms and junior suites – including 6 with views of the Eiffel Tower – which play on chromatic themes inviting you to escape: a bluish ambiance evoking the Orient, another beige and straw-coloured with animal motifs for exotic fauna, and finally a terracotta ambiance inspired by distant landscapes. Varnished wood, lacquers, velvet, walls with hand-painted patterns by Maison Ulgador, furniture custom-made by Lelièvre and Casamance: contemporary Art Deco touches mingle with exotic influences.
Distinguished by the European Ecolabel in 2025, Hôtel La Bourdonnais provides an ideal setting for getaways and can host events of up to 80 people for cocktails. More generally, its 60 m² modular space is available for seminars for up to 50 people in theatre style and for board meetings of up to 30 participants.
If it doesn't have a meeting room, another new boutique hotel will soon be aimed at hosting business travellers passing through between trains, between two: the Lazare Nomade. Expected by the start of the school year, the establishment revisits the Villathéna hotel, a former three-star located a three-minute walk from Saint-Lazare station, at 23, rue d’Athènes.
Housed behind one of the most beautiful façades in the 9th arrondissement, the renovated four-star hotel offers 40 rooms and suites, including 5 suites and 6 family rooms. All of this is set in a décor inspired by the world of travel and the Parisian spirit, with noble materials, natural colours, and objects that tell a story, such as travel journals, luggage tags, or engraved illustrations. For elegant and relaxed nomadic living.
