THERE’S something special about being in Paris during the week of Valentine’s. The city, long entwined with the mythology of love, hums with heightened sentiment as couples flock to its iconic landmarks— none more so than the Eiffel Tower, that enduring emblem of Parisian charm, which sees a flourish of visitors during this seasonal peak. More serendipitous still —and welcome—is when a work trip happens to fall on the same dates, in the same city, as your partner’s.
To make the most of this coincidence, we chose Le Grand Hôtel Cayré as our base for a short but memorable stay. Part of the Miiro group, the hotel is a restored landmark in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Once a meeting place for writers and artists, the building has been brought back to life with a thoughtful blend of heritage and contemporary design.
Exterior of Le Grand Hôtel Cayré
References to its creative past are sprinkled throughout the hotel: a Wassily Kandinsky print hung in our bathroom, while the bedroom featured artwork by Hendrik Nicolaas. Most poignant, perhaps, was the hotel’s restaurant, Annette—named in honour of Annette Kolb, the formidable Franco-German writer and pacifist who resided at the original Hôtel Cayré for seventeen years from 1944.
Le Grand Hôtel Cayré
The hotel’s interiors lean into the spirit of 1920s Paris, nodding to the district’s cultural history of jazz cafés and literary salons. A wraparound bar anchors the lobby space and draws guests toward the restaurant. We dined at Annette on our first night, sharing marinated sea bream brightened by citrus and timut pepper; ribeye and pommes frites, unapologetically classic; and a crème brûlée that spoke of quiet indulgence.
Le Grand Hôtel Cayré
The meal was paired with a glass of Crozes-Hermitage Les Pierrelles—a midweek indulgence before the next morning’s meetings. While the cocktail bar was unfortunately closed during the week and the drinks served at dinner weren’t the highlight, the food was enjoyable, and the staff were warm and attentive.
Le Grand Hôtel Cayré
What really stands out at Le Grand Hôtel Cayré is the design. The original staircase has been preserved and is now surrounded by striking artworks by French artist Mathias Kiss. The 123 rooms are tastefully styled, some offering direct views of the Eiffel Tower. A few even feature private balconies—perfect for soaking up the city at golden hour or watching the tower sparkle at night.
Le Grand Hôtel Cayré
We were fortunate to experience it for ourselves, raising a glass the following evening to a productive day and the unexpected joy of our schedules aligning. Le Grand Hôtel Cayré, with its peerless location, considered interiors, and a heritage steeped in understated grandeur, is less a place to stay than one to imprint memories. If only all work trips felt this effortless.
by Lily Rimmer
Le Grand Hôtel Cayré, 4 Boulevard Raspail, 75007 Paris
To book your stay, visit here.