Nostalgia is a powerful drug, especially when it comes to design. Take Hôtel des Grands Voyageurs, for example. The newly-opened boutique hotel perched on a corner in the Left Bank Quartier of Saint-Placide in Paris takes its cues from none other than the Golden Age of Travel—and it’s exquisite.
Before cramped seating and lukewarm ravioli became the standard fare for travel, there was a time when grand passenger ships set sail across the Atlantic dressed in handsome wood paneling and opulent furniture. When passengers wore glamorous attire for cocktail hour, and candlelit dinners lingered well into the evening. This is the mood at Hôtel des Grands Voyageurs, a property brought to life by AD100 architect and designer Fabrizio Casiraghi.
His vision for the hotel was spot-on: guests should feel as though they are staying at the private residence of an art collector. (His residential references included the homes of Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé.) As such, there’s some pretty impeccable artwork displayed throughout, from lithographs by Gustav Klimt and Marc Chagall to bespoke mirrors created by artist Osanna Visconti di Modrone. When we visited earlier this year, the team was set to install a series of masks sourced from Indonesia, Africa, and Mexico—very much the collector’s vibe.
Upon entering the hotel, you’re greeted by the lavish bar and restaurant, which set the tone for the entire experience. The concept is a clever blend of American and Parisian influences (think: traditional Paris brasserie motifs meets feel-good American cuisine). The menu is primarily seafood-focused, with highlights like poached oysters, sea bass caught on a line, and even a lobster roll. And of course—there’s a burger. (It’s incredible.)
Descend the sleek stairs to the left and you’ll encounter a fully-stocked bookcase and a closed door leading to a speakeasy. Inside, Poppy Bar mixologists shake up playful cocktails like a Lemon Drop and Long Island Ice Tea, but with crafty substitutes and twists that elevate.
The gym is small, but a highlight. Guests using the NOHrD equipment can choose from cardio machines and free weights, all of which being sandwiched between two distinct frescoes by Italian artist Osanna Visconti di Modrone. There’s also an infrared sauna, showers, and lockers.
Top Takeaways
Location: Saint-Placide neighborhood (6th arrondissement)
Address: 92 Rue De Vaugirard, 75006, Paris, France
Rating: Four-Star
The Vibe: Refined, intimate, in-the-know.
Food + Drink: On the main level of the hotel there is a standalone oval bar and a restaurant, plus a cocktail speakeasy one level down, called Poppy Bar. The seafood-focused menu serves up American classics in a distinctly Parisian setting, alluding to the love affair between the French and the US and those first grand passenger ships that connected France to the East Coast.
Amenities: A restaurant and bar, cocktail speakeasy, gym, two meeting rooms, underground private parking, and in-room amenities like record players and Diptyque toiletries.
Any personal neighborhood recs? Jardin du Luxembourg is less than 10-minute’s walk away, which is the perfect spot for a morning stroll or afternoon picnic avec vin et fromage. Just across the street from the hotel is Maison Verot, a charcutier specializing in meats like terrine and pâté. (There’s always a line, which is a good sign.)
Our favorite thing about the hotel: The location is ideal. You’ve got all the charming scenery of historic Saint-Germain-des-Prés within arm’s reach, while still enjoying a slightly more neighborhood feel that’s just a couple of minutes away from one of the best green spaces in all of Paris. And if you’re coming to Paris for the Summer Olympics, this area will be spared the frenzy of competitions, making it all the more appealing.
What’s nearby? Le Bon Marché, and its culinary companion, La Grande Épicerie as well as nearby historic streets of Saint-Placide.
Rooms: 138 rooms ranging from classic rooms to junior suites.
Pricing: Rooms start at €300/£258/$327 per night.
Closest Airport: Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport and Paris-Orly Airport
