HOTEL VERNET

Hôtel Vernet's Executive Room

Discreetly located just off the Champs-Élysées and with the Arc de Triomphe almost within touching distance, Hotel Vernet is a boutique five-star hotel that skilfully blends Haussmann-era craftsmanship with contemporary design. Built in the early 1900s at the end of Paris’s glorious Belle Époque, a defining era of beauty and elegance, the hotel retains the essence of that golden age. Opulent interiors, decorative ironwork, and a stained-glass dome all seamlessly merge with modern aesthetics and the comforts of the 21st century.

Words by Alton Hetariki.

Upon arrival, the hotel is as striking as it is elegant. In typical Haussmannian design, the building exhibits the signature tall and imposing stone facade, with clean, symmetrical lines and curvaceous wrought-iron balconies. Stepping under its Art Nouveau awning through the grand glass doors and up the marble stairs into the lobby, you immediately sense something special. The original checkerboard marble floors are a stylish nod to the building's heritage. Meanwhile, a bold, unstructured reception desk, framed by a copper wire-woven wall and sculptural light fixtures, sets the tone for an interior that is both modern and artisanal.

Here's what we love about Hotel Vernet, where many old heritage hotels cling to their past, this hotel has evolved in the best way. In 2014, Paris-based interior architect François Champsaur transformed the hotel through an extensive renovation. Once, traditional interiors were remodelled with an impeccably sleek redesign, comprising spaces infused with modern artistry and subtle touches of luxury. Champsaur skillfully balances the old and new, preserving the building's historical bones while introducing streamlined furnishings and neutral colour palettes. Heritage features such as classical columns, gilded marble fireplaces, and an eye-catching period glass-door wrought-iron elevator now coexist harmoniously with modern sculptural furniture and minimalist contemporary artworks.

A spectacular stained glass dome at the heart of the hotel is the crowning glory of Le V restaurant. This monumental canopy, originally designed by Gustave Eiffel, the engineering genius behind the Eiffel Tower, casts a warm golden light over the space. Champsaur added curved leather banquettes to follow its rounded forms and mirrored walls to amplify the light. With Chef Mazzara Baldassare’s creations steeped in Mediterranean flavours, dining here is a feast for all the senses.

Adjacent to the stylish cocktail bar, a bright and shimmering space with the reflective light bouncing off the copper accents. It offers an intimate yet uplifting atmosphere. The marble bar with its unstructured contours is complemented by a surrounding copper screen with complimentary metallic flourishes along with matching wall sconces. Modernist art includes a ceiling fresco by Jean-Michel Alberola, visually responding to a co-ordinating carpet, creating a visual delight that is both surprising and seductive as it draws you in. It's perfect for a relaxed conversation as you wind down after a long day or as you're starting your evening with a signature aperitif.

Throughout Hotel Vernet’s 50 rooms and suites, the same attention to detail and harmony between old and new prevails. Bedrooms are tailored with tactile cottons, silks, and velvets, colourful bedspreads, and mismatched cushions, cosseted in curved wood walls. Curved mirrors and sliding doors soften the contemporary design, creating an atmosphere that feels both luxurious and intimate.

Images of the Prestige Rooms and the Bathroom at Hôtel Vernet

With its prime location in the prestigious 8th arrondissement, just a short walk from the Arc de Triomphe, Avenue Montaigne’s luxury boutiques, and the Seine River, Hotel Vernet offers an exceptional base for exploring the best of Paris. Yet still tucked away on a side street away from the tourist fray, making it close to all the action, but just far enough removed to guarantee a quiet and comfortable stay.

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Breakfast at Room with views to Rue Vernet