Le Roch

A hotel that provides some kind of a local experience, whether it’s an artist-in-residence painting a mural in the lobby or a cocktail bar that attracts people from the neighborhood for drinks after work, is already a step ahead of the competition. That’s especially true in a city like Paris, where the line between local and tourist feels so sharply drawn. Le Roch Hotel & Spa takes care of that. The interior designer, Sarah Lavoine, isn’t just one of those intimidatingly hip Parisians. She’s a much sought-after creative who lives and works — and shops, eats, and drinks — in the neighborhood. And she’s put her heart and soul into the place. The result is a 37-room boutique hotel that embodies that seemingly effortless elegance that we we love to associate with Paris. That the hotel also has five-star comforts and an ideal location between the Place de l'Opéra and the Place Vendôme in the 1st arrondissement, well, that’s just icing on the proverbial cake.

Forget minimalist lines and all-white interiors: thanks to large windows everywhere, Le Roch is filled with natural light, but Lavoine’s aesthetic is dark and sumptuous, exuding old-world glamour with a modern edge. Think chocolate, black, and navy blue, Carrera marble and walnut flooring, sculptural lamps and large round mirrors, patterned rugs and velvet sofas you’ll be glad to sink into after an afternoon walking around the city. That’s the idea here — a home away from home, with better sheets and pain au chocolat on the breakfast table.

Guest rooms run the range from the decently sized “Cozy” room to the lavish Saint Roch suite with its own wine cellar and hammam. All rooms have smart features like bathrooms with Moroccan-style clay tile, sinks (and in most cases, bathtubs) by Kaldewei, futuristic lighting systems, and vintage-inspired Marshall smart speakers. Downstairs, there’s a candlelit swimming pool lined in dark slate, plus a spa and fitness center. There’s a suitably high-end restaurant, and a hotel like this one wouldn’t be complete without a chic cocktail bar that attracts locals. Le Roch delivers on this front, with indoor and outdoor space — sit at the bar itself, or have a drink on the terrace, by the fireplace, or in the courtyard garden. You might even see Lavoine herself pop in for an aperitif. Just tell the waiter you’ll have what she’s having.