At the beginning of the month, I returned to the most romantic of cities – Paris, of course! – for a friend’s wedding and needed a hotel for the night. And I think I found a lovely little gem of a place, sandwiched between the effortlessly stylish Marais and the picturesque, cobblestone streets of Montorgueil. Hotel National des Arts et Métiers has Parisian charm a plenty, but with a contemporary twist that will appeal to the minimalists out there.
This elegantly-designed hotel really ticked all the boxes for me, and I don’t often say that lightly about boutique hotels (especially when I’m paying decent money and want to get my dollar’s worth – I paid full price for this stay and this post isn’t sponsored). I’m very lucky to get to stay in some beautiful places when I’m travelling for work, some are overrated, some badly designed, some can’t even get the plugs next to the bed in the right place. But Hotel National des Arts et Métiers, for me, was near perfect – simple yet stunning spaces, soft and squishy beds, coffee machines in the rooms, delicious breakfasts, and wait until you see the roof terrace!
It was the ideal city escape – a place where you can hide away from the hustle and bustle or take a moment to rest and recover from the buzz (and in my case when I visited, the heat…).
Opened in July last year, Hotel National des Arts et Métiers was designed by Parisian-based Raphael Navot and DVVD architecture agency . The 70-room hotel is housed in a typically ornate, noble-looking Haussmann building, facing a leafy square in the creative heart of the city. An Italian restaurant and bar spills out onto the pavement, while simple awnings frame the bedroom windows and balconies.
The focus for Navot was on using the finest raw materials and honouring the timeless traditions of French craftsmanship. As you step inside, you are greeted by six, hand-crafted, sinuously-shaped stone pillars that embrace you into the hotel’s spell. As you delve deeper into the hotel, you come across a carved marble staircase and organically-curved corridors. Everything is tactile and designed to appeal to the senses – I couldn’t resist stroking my hands along the walls!
The most striking feature in the bedrooms are their board marked concrete walls, that are softened and given warmth with oak details and parquet flooring. I loved all the monochrome details, from the black and white prints, right down to the black plug sockets. With all these raw materials, it could easily have all felt a bit too harsh and utilitarian, but vintage furniture, a generous and inviting armchair and soft, floor-to-ceiling curtains easily put paid to that.
Crisp white bedding, a large flat screen TV, a minibar and Nespresso machine bring the luxury appeal, yet nothing is ostentatious or overdone. One thing to note was how good the glazed balcony doors were at blocking out street noise, I slept soundlessly from beeping horns and rushing city traffic.
I decided to pay a bit extra for a room with a balcony and it was worth every penny to wake up in Paris and take that first cup of coffee looking over the city’s charming streets.
The highlight of Hotel National des Arts et Métiers has to be the rooftop, a little green oasis open only to hotel guests and Parisians. Looking over the chimney pots and garret windows, it’s a peaceful spot for an evening cocktail or a daytime drink, with comfy loungers and rattan chairs.
The hotel lobby and dining areas are even richer in materiality, with fossilised granit marquetry flooring and sumptuous velvet seating. Big planters give the spaces a tropical vibe – you could easily be in Bali, Ibiza or New York. But then sunlight brings you outside and the cafe-style seating reminds you that you’re nowhere but Paris.
It was just a shame it was for only one night. The next night I was staying in an IBIS on an industrial estate in Soissons for the wedding so don’t think it’s all glamour… But it was a real treat to stay in such a beautiful place and I’ll be back again Hotel National des Arts et Métiers!
hotelnational.paris
(top tip – I booked our room through Mr and Mrs Smith, you get a lovely gift set of the hotel’s designer shampoo and body lotion when you check-in)
All images Cate St Hill
