Hôtel National Des Arts et Métiers

Part of the new, youthful, and shockingly hip breed of Parisian luxury boutique hotels, the Hôtel National des Arts et Métiers is classic Haussmann on the outside, and as contemporary as they come on the inside, thanks to designer Raphael Navot’s eclectic tastes. It’s inspired by the famous engineering college just down the road, which means it’s grounded in Parisian tradition, but one with a specific character and a distinctive point of view.

Especially memorable are the accommodations, with their textured concrete walls, dusky colors, and plentiful artworks. Even the most basic rooms come with terrazzo bathrooms and Nespresso machines, while others add balconies, and the penthouse goes all the way with a kitchenette, dining room, and a private terrace. And among the hotel’s comforts are a small spa and a thoughtfully designed fitness program.

The location, in Montorgueil, is an interesting one, a relatively quiet place on the edge of the Marais that’s nevertheless close to some of the city’s most desirable destinations. And the Hôtel National des Arts et Métiers is, of course, a destination in its own right — Ristorante National is a stylish trattoria-style Italian restaurant, Herbarium is a chic cocktail bar, and a second bar, on the rooftop, cements the hotel’s status as a local gathering place.