FOR A city with a thumping heart and bustling social scene, there are very few places in Paris that remain a secret. Hidden on rue d’Anjou in the 8th arrondissement is Marquis Faubourg Saint-Honoré, a distinguished 5-star boutique hotel, part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World portfolio.
Housed in an 18th-century private mansion that once served as the home to Marquis de la Fayette (yes, that Lafayette), the now-equally regal hotel invites you away from the chaos into the quiet luxury of privacy.
The building itself has shape-shifted and evolved over centuries. Some of the earliest memories of what happened here are Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie hosting receptions, becoming the home of the well-known Russian courtesan La Païva and in 1870, during the Franco-Prussian War it transformed into a hospital for the wounded.
Lobby
Fast forward to 2015, and the mansion found its final form and began restorations. Over the span of two years, they implemented updates that ensured the design embodied both its historical past and the high standard of modern taste.
One of its key selling points is its size. With just 15 suites available to stay in, the hotel feels gloriously intimate. With four categories that span from Junior Suites that span 30m² and are ideal for solo travellers, to Master Suites that are 60m² and can have private terraces alongside personal spacious living areas, there is plenty of choice to choose from depending on your needs.
Executive Suite
Executive Suite
My stay however was in the Executive Suite (50m²) that was designed as a free-flowing three-room set, centred around a living room that came with a sleeping-bed sofa, velvet seating, a giant flatscreen TV and a show-stopping original Louis XVI marble chimney. The bedroom, to the left, was complete with black-out curtains, oak-panelled walls, a sumptuous wardrobe space and a king-sized bed swaddled in the kind of bedding that inspires late check-outs.
However, whilst this is enough to make you feel like royalty as ample space is something rare to find in this city, it was the bathroom that took the crown. With a central Kaldewei bathtub set in white Carrara marble with two his-and-hers sinks on either side and even a waterfall shower, rest was very much on the agenda for my stay and so was a brief thought of extending my stay.
Superior Suite
Bathroom of Superior Suite
Privacy and intimacy are the two main characteristics that run through Marquis Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Yet, for all its aristocratic air that lingers, it’s not trying to be Versailles. As I said it really did have a makeover so it’s effortlessly modern with the services angled at one-on-one bespoke experiences.
The gym, set within the 18th-century vault with stone walls, houses a variety of Technogym equipment from treadmills to bikes and of course, a range of weights. The hotel also offers the opportunity to request personal trainers for your sessions and even a consultation from a dietician to provide nutritional feedback. Whilst, I was more interested in making the most of the French cuisine, it was an impressive service to boast.
Gym
Dining Area
Breakfast is served in a wood-panelled salon that feels more salon privé than a breakfast buffet. With a curated display of the usual cold meats, patisseries and cereals, they also allow for cooked breakfast on request – like scrambled and poached eggs to get your protein fix. Room service is alternatively available 24/7, where you can order specific dishes – even foie gras – and choose from a wine menu that showcases the best of local wine.
The clientele – unsurprisingly – is a mix of discreetly wealthy couples, travelling business professionals and fashion insiders. Despite its proximity to the Champs-Élysées, rows of flagship stores and the Louvre, it has managed to stay mercifully untouched by the tourist churn. Pets are welcome, however, this is not the place for noisy children and content creators.
Marquis Faubourg Saint-Honoré is for those who know Paris, and want to experience it at their own pace – it has transformed into a masterclass in exclusivity.
by Imogen Clark
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Marquis Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 8 rue d’Anjou, 75008 Paris