The Best Places to Stay in Paris This Spring

Paris in the springtime has been the subject of many a romantic fantasy, and even the most jaded of travellers can’t help but be delighted by the way the city unfurls with the first warm rays of sunshine over the Seine. Hundreds of outdoor cafes appear as if by magic and the locals stretch out in gardens, courtyards and terraces around the city, sipping on cool glasses of rosé and delicious French ice cream. So, to celebrate first day of spring, we spoke to boutique hotel guide Mr & Mrs Smith to get their top picks in the city of light. 

La Belle Juliette

For a taste of bistro culture
Style: La vie en rose
Setting: Close to Saint-Germain’s best boutiques and bistros

Named after an 18th-century socialite, hotel La Belle Juliette leaves a sweet taste in your mouth, thanks to its confectionery-coloured interiors, hideaway spa and fresh-from-the-oven Parisian breakfasts. Stroll up and down the hotel’s street, Rue du Cherche-Midi, exploring the boutiques and bistros. Pierre Herme’s first pastry boutique is just steps away.

Hôtel Thoumieux

For ultra fine dining
Style: India Mahdavi interiors above
Setting: Jean-François Piège dining below

At Hôtel Thoumieux in the seventh arrondissement, eating comes first, sleeping second. Rooms are perched above the award-winning Jean-François Piège – a favourite with the critics. Here, diners design their menu by selecting six of the freshest daily ingredients for the chef to work with. Remember to make dinner reservations when you book your stay. Not all the style is left to the kitchen. India Mahdavi’s 14 room interiors are another treat for the senses, and a perfect after-dinner pied-à-terre.

 Hotel Particulier Montmartre 

For art inspirations
Style: Art-house abode
Setting: Secret garden in central Montmartre

Each of the five suites at Hotel Particulier Montmartre is a gorgeous visual surprise. Featuring works by various artists, each has its own vibrant personality. One room is wallpapered to resemble a Technicolor forest canopy, another ornamented with saucily suggestive blown-glass, yet another featuring hats for lampshades and a glass wall into the marble bathroom. The garden is a work of art on its own, created by Louis Bénech, the landscaper of the Jardin des Tuileries. 

Hotel Maringnan

For romance-inducing Eiffel Tower views
Style: Scandi-chic
Setting: Serpentine snug aux Champs-Elysées

Designer Pierre Yovanovitch’s playful style contrasts bright, curvaceous pieces with tactile wood, marble and stone, creating a modern masterpiece. Look out from the Terrace Eiffel Suite onto views over the Champs-Elysées, the Eiffel Tower and high-fashion Avenue Montaigne. Watch out, it’s the sort of place that might compel you to get down on one knee. In room 305, take breakfast on the balcony with Eiffel Tower views. Indulge in the very French passion for the septième art in the projection room, impressively kitted out with a cinema screen and 10 luxe double armchairs.

Visit www.mrandmrssmith.com for more city recommendations