Bel Ami

A beautiful, distinctive, and luxurious hotel in the fantastically atmospheric Parisian district of Saint-Germain-des-Près — the Hotel Bel Ami opened its doors not long before we here at Tablet opened ours, and it’s no surprise that it’s been a favorite all these years. This 19th-century building was once a printing press, but architect and designers Géraldine Prieur and Pascal Allaman took it easy with the industrial-chic references, opting instead for a look that’s equal parts classic mid-century modernism and hyper-colorful retro-futurism. The resulting atmosphere is perfectly elegant but in no way uptight — perfect for this famously free-thinking artistic neighborhood.

It’s also in a sweet spot between the opulent excess of the city’s palace hotels and the occasionally rather spartan hipster hotels — if you’re wondering what “luxury boutique” means in Paris, the Bel Ami is a perfect example. Modular modern furniture makes the most of the square footage, and the comforts are highly functional — the beds, in particular, are plush as can be. There’s a spa, a collaboration by Maison Flamel, and a fitness room to go with it, as well as a restaurant and bar, luxuries that are by no means assured in Parisian hotels. And all throughout the Bel Ami there’s evidence of an artistic bent; public spaces include works by Aude Herlédan and Ced Vernay, and every decision is dictated by a desire to preserve the creative character of Saint-Germain-des-Près.