Hotel Lutetia Paris hotel review 2024

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In a nutshell: Glamorous lodgings within the coronary heart of Paris, with a subterranean spa, stylish brasserie restaurant and rooms with an Eiffel Tower view

Location

Hotel Lutetia is within the centre of Paris’s Saint-Germain-des-Prés. A historic hub for literature, music and the humanities, Hemingway’s previous hang-out Café De Flore, the bookstore Shakespeare & Co (go early to keep away from the queues) and Serge Gainsbourg’s graffitied home and museum will be reached on foot in beneath 20 minutes. This a part of city can be house to Hermes’s flagship retailer, which you’ll discover simply across the nook from the hotel, which itself was based in 1910 by the long-lasting Le Bon Marche division retailer, positioned a brief stroll throughout the inexperienced.

The close by Latin Quarter is understood for its cobbled streets, bistros for whiling away the hours, cabarets, bars and historic landmarks resembling The Pantheon (the ‘temple of the French nation’ and ultimate resting place of, amongst others, Victor Hugo, Emile Zola Jean-Jacques Rousseau). You’ll discover the Jardin de Luxembourg 10 minutes south; Head right here for the romantic setting of the Italian Renaissance-era Medici Fountain, lawns, tree-lined promenades and to observe the mannequin sailboats on the octagonal Grand Bassin.

The vibe

A mammoth renovation in 2018 painstakingly restored Hotel Lutetia’s historic options, serving to it retain a Twentieth-century Parisian really feel. A former hangout for the likes of Pablo Picasso, Henry Mattisse, James Joyce (it’s the place he wrote a lot of Ulysses) and the jazz singer Josephine Baker, the hotel’s historical past helps it stand out from trendier and extra modern lodging within the space. Attracting an older crowd, Lutetia is aware of its viewers and harks again to its heyday with a mix of Art-Nouveau and Art Deco fashion interiors to replicate the unique 1910 constructing.

Brasserie Lutetia and Bar Josephine (named after Baker) each ooze magnificence due to grand ceilings and complex frescoes, with floor-to-ceiling doorways and home windows for loads of pure mild, and an Art Deco-style bar with a piano for nights of reside music. The ingesting den is a quiet place for whiling away an hour or so whereas admiring your stunning environment, earlier than heading out for dinner or extra drinks.

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The service

Service is nice. From the concierge to the waiters and bartenders, the workers at Hotel Lutetia know their stuff, whether or not it’s advising on the native space or explaining the intensive menu on the brasserie. Breakfast feels just a little rushed with a little bit of a anticipate desk service, however the workers are nonetheless welcoming. Upon arrival, you’re escorted to your room and given a tour of all facilities, a welcome drink and darkish chocolate duplicate of the hotel’s ship emblem (full with a mini hammer for smashing the shell). Head right down to the spa and also you’re greeted with a heat reception by the Akasha workers, significantly the therapists – after a final minute cancellation of a therapy, they quickly rebooked with profuse apologies from the supervisor.

Bed and bathtub

There’s a variety of bed room choices at Hotel Lutetia, from the spacious deluxe rooms with balconies (for those who’re fortunate you’ll have a view of the Eiffel Tower) to the junior suites that embody family-size areas. If you’re actually pushing the boat out, the signature suites are a grand affair – assume a penthouse area with 360-degree views of Paris and a room designed by the Francis Ford Coppola, the place private touches embody an vintage digital camera and reproduced annotated pages from his copy of Mario Puzo’s The Godfather (the director reportedly stays there himself each time he’s on the town).

Marbled bogs with deep tubs and spacious rainfall showers are a stand-out characteristic, whereas the bedrooms are a mix of tinted oak flooring, Murano glass wall lights and extremely comfy beds (the personalised pillowcases with a visitor’s personal initials are a pleasant contact). Plenty of pure mild guarantee it’s a comfortable setting, whereas in comparison with the Art-Nouveau fashion within the hotel’s public areas, the rooms have extra of a up to date really feel.

Food and drink

The hotel is house to 2 locations to eat: the restaurant Brasserie Lutetia and cafe Le Saint Germain. Frequented by each locals and hotel visitors, the Brasserie serves traditional French fare (go for the clams and egg parfait for starters and the indulgent freshly caught lobster linguine for a foremost) with an intensive wine listing and sommelier at hand. Breakfast can be served on the Brasserie and is a spotlight of any keep at Hotel Lutetia. There’s an à la carte menu (the sunshine, fluffy French waffles are a should), in addition to a buffet with an enormous number of deliciously flakey pastries, recent detox juices, cured meats, smoked salmon, recent fruit and each sort of bread you may consider for the last word Parisian morning feast. Despite the grand interiors, Le Saint Germain has a extra laidback really feel, with indgulant afternoon tea spreads out there and an unfussy all-day menu.

When it involves a night drink, Bar Josephine serves up a variety of cocktails (go for the gin-fulled ‘You’re Driving Me Crazy’ for a spot-on steadiness of candy and bitter), champagnes and wines. While the cocktails had been assorted with a combination for each palette, the area lacked the buzzy atmostphere of bars within the busy Latin Quarter. If you’re after someplace just a little extra glamorous, the jazz bar Bar Aristide is tucked away on the primary ground. The speakeasy-style saloon has a relaxed vibe, with attentive service, leather-based sofas to sink into, moody lighting and a cocktail menu that places a recent spin on classics (the Hemingway daiquri consists of punchy grapefuit).

Facilities

The subterranean Akasha spa is a relaxing sanctuary, with marble interiors, a 17m pool, whirlpool tub, sauna and steamroom. The therapy listing is intensive, from collagan-boosting facials to exfoliating massages, manicures to resurfacing therapies. There’s no want to interrupt your health regime, due to the big health club and private coaching periods, in addition to yoga and swimming lessons.

Disability entry: There are 5 rooms with accessible amenities, plus a raise right down to the spa and an accessible chair to get out and in of the swimming pool.

Pet coverage: One pet weighing lower than 12kg allowed per room at Lutetia Paris, €50 (£43.37) additional per evening.

Check-in/check-out: 3pm check-in, 12pm check-out.

Family pleasant? Yes. There are two-bedroom and household suites out there that accommodate as much as 5, with dwelling areas and a number of bogs. Swimming classes are additionally out there for kids (extra price).

At a look

Best factor: The first-class spa with therapy rooms and a pool (plus the standard of the meals).

Worst factor: Bar Josephine and Brasserie Lutetia lack the buzzy environment that may be present in close by spots.

Perfect for: Culture fanatics and people wanting a really luxurious metropolis break.

Not proper for: A youthful, livelier crowd.

Instagram from: The terraces which have a view of the Eiffel Tower.

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