In collaboration with LEFAIR Magazine
Minimalist luxury and opulence should be a part of your trip to Paris. Hotel De Nell is a hotel located on the corner of Rue du Conservatoire and Rue Sainte-Cécile. Picture this: you’ve had a long day traipsing through the city — shopping on the Champs Elysées, climbing the 284 steps of L’Arc de Triomphe, or better yet — walking the 1,710 steps of the La Tour Eiffel, now you’re ready to be pampered in a pristine room in which no detail is overlooked.
When I entered my room, I was captivated by the modern luxury and the elevated details captured within every inch. The crisp white bedding was detailed by a soft, light tan wood headboard which connected to the nightstands. Above were elaborate light brown lights that one can moderate to an exact lighting preference — creating a relaxing, restful environment. A perfectly placed gold chocolate box sat in the middle of the king sized bed along with both a weather report for the following day and a pillow menu to request your desired firmness and stuffings. A bottle of champagne and two glasses are situated on the adjacent desk, and it’s time for a bath. The bathroom’s design is perfectly correlated to the bedroom, but instead of a variety of neutral, white hues — the design carries monochromatic grays and saturated wood. Creating an in depth sanctuary. Prepare to enter the japonais-style bathtub with Bvlgari products that will take you from reality and bring you to your own personal spa. It’s tea time: soak in the Bvlgari eau parfumée au thé blanc tea bag.
With a moving wooden board located on top of the tub, you can place your glass of champagne right above you as you de-stress from your long day of exploring — or you can place your laptop if your stay also includes unfinished business.
C’est l’heure pour le petit déjeuner! Leves-toi! You can order breakfast in bed, but I recommend hitting the buffet-style selection downstairs. Just passed the sitting room, a cheery breakfast staff awaits in the morning to explain (en anglais) the hotel’s selection of fresh, organic fruits, milks, and grains and where their food is sourced from. I enjoyed a delightful breakfast with a variety of savory and sweet. The custom omelette (prepared to your specific requests- well-done, medium, etc…) had a mix of mushrooms, cheese and peppers. Pour the caramel sauce over the rich but smooth rice pudding (riz au lait) and let it melt in your mouth during this truly decadent dining experience.
Enjoy this early morning treat before gallivanting around Paris or sinking in to a day of deep relaxation at Hotel De Nell’s spa, which is intimate and exclusive to the hotel. Designed and decorated by the famous French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte whose focus lies in the art and mindset of well-being or “bien-être” distinguishes this spa by bringing you to a haven of peace and tranquility.
Of course, I chose to walk all the way (27 minutes by foot) to Le Marais, a darling neighborhood, where I had some much needed retail therapy.
Hotel de Nell is the ideal getaway for a few days in Paris. The comfortable rooms and contemporary luxury will enhance anyone’s travel experience in this enchanting city. While I would recommend this hotel to any person traveling to Paris, remember that while booking your stay, do not expect a traditional confirmation email from this boutique (and sometimes snarky hotel and staff) — “We are not The Marriott” the hotel manager was quick to remind us.