Here’s One Reason Why Paris Should Be at the Top of Your Post-Covid Travel List
Minutes from the Louvre, Opera Garnier and Galeries Lafayette, what more could we ask for from this hidden gem?
Fact: There’s no shortage of architectural eye candy in Paris. It’s this neoclassical style, thanks to Baron Haussmann’s city overhaul in the latter half of the 1800s, that provides the city with its enchanting and dreamy aesthetic that is now characteristically considered Parisian. (Nothing makes a francophile’s eyes light up more than the thought of mid-rise buildings with Juliet balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows and mansard roofs.)
Tucked away in the centre of the 1st Arrondissement is Hotel Nolinski – the location of our September issue cover shoot with Cindy Bruna that provided a stylish backdrop for some of the season’s best fashion. Just minutes away from the Louvre and Palais Royal, this 45-room boutique hotel (which can be booked through luxury-hotel curators Kiwi Collection) boasts spacious quarters with two-metre-tall double doors that lead to gorgeous balconies. These plush suites are outfitted in art deco-inspired wares—most of which are available for purchase—and include a smartphone with access to unlimited internet and international calls. (It’s also loaded with highly curated restaurant and tour suggestions, perfect for first-time visitors.)
Hotel Nolinski’s modern details, like its sharp, angular mouldings and custom furniture, can be credited to interior designer Jean-Louis Deniot, known for his contemporary French style and his work on the Chanel spa at the Ritz Paris. One of the hotel’s most striking features are the grey cloudlike motifs painted on the winding staircase that leads to brightly coloured corridors for each set of guest rooms. On the lowest level is a candlelit pool and hammam spa. The waters are a tranquil escape from the sensory overload of the bustling streets outside.
It’s the perfect addition to your international travel bucket list.