I have a love/hate relationship with the city of Paris and it’s partially due to visiting a few too many times over the years. Or maybe it’s the considerable time spent over in Japan that has drilled into me a sense of love, honour and community that I feel is lost in some parts (maybe loads of parts) of the capital city. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy visiting Paris, as there is lots to do here if you’re a lover of beautiful architecture, high fashion, world class art and fine dining. But for those of us that do not perhaps have the same palate needed to really appreciate Parisian life to the fullest, it could seem quite daunting. It comes as a surprise when something as simple as a bottle of water could cost upwards of £4-5 sometimes depending on where you’re located in the city. And of course everything will be much more costly the closer you are to the city centre. So this begs the question… where do you stay if you’re looking for a nice balance of both worlds? A place that doesn’t break the bank but offers all those necessary wow moments? What more fitting being a Londoner than a stay at the newly opened Hoxton hotel!

Everything that made the London branches of The Hoxton a great atmosphere for work and play has been seamlessly reinterpreted in this hotel based in an 18th century hotel particulier in the 2nd arrondissement. Each of it’s  172 rooms are meticulously designed featuring bespoke chevron timber floors, masculine leather bed frames, wire-caged wardrobes and brass-clad bathrooms designed by Parisian design studio Humbert & Poyet. Also a great touch with the full length mirrors! Whilst the public spaces house mid century velvet furniture and earthy floral accents incased in a glass double-height lobby and restored 18th century staircase, with the help of Hoxton partner Soho House. It definitely gave me a feeling of familiarity as London’s cool is very much present in this space.

Now to talk about value for money. It’s easy to assume that anything replicated in Paris would instantly increase in cost, but not in this case. The Hoxton has kept all their hotels comparatively similar starting at around £91.00 a night in Paris. Each guest is also provided with all the necessary amenities from complimentary homemade yoghurt with granola, banana and juice bags every morning to toiletries by Pen & Ink, as well as of course… free Wi-Fi, milk and bottled water! It makes a difference… trust me! And although they might look stiff, I can’t stress enough how comfortable the beds are. If you can’t get a good nights sleep in this, I don’t know what will.

The Hoxton’s Rivié restaurant is another nice addition, comprising of a main brasserie and a wide spread courtyard space offering all-day French-inspired cuisine with a few Hoxton favourites thrown in. Why not give an Eggs Benny a try for breakfast, if you’re not satisfied with the free breakfast bag? And for lunch; a Hoxton Cheese Burger and perhaps the Baby Chicken dish for dinner – accompanied by blue cheese puree, roasted cauliflower, hazelnut and peppercorn jus. Pure heaven! The truffle fries are quite special too! And after all the face-stuffing top it off with a little night cap created bespoke to your tastes at Jacque’s bar or simply just to chill out engulfed in its floral interiors.

Overall, I feel this hotel is a great option for a modern luxury experience on a budget, with the hotel within walking distance to top landmarks like the Musee du Louvre and many shopping streets. It’s interiors more than satisfy all guests whether they’re appreciative of art or not. You can’t say it’s not a beautiful place and it’s a great atmosphere whether you’re a tourist or visiting for work. The Hoxton in Paris does not fail to provide each guest with a well-rounded comfortable stay that is not a copycat version of any of it’s three other branches, but is a great reinterpretation that mixes well with it’s 18th century French setting. It’s a must stay situation!

O V E R A L L    R A T I N G :    8 / 1 0

Written  by John Jarrett @_johnjarrett

Shot  by John Jarrett & Eshan Kali

30-32 Rue du Sentier, 75002 Paris, France.

00 33 1 85 65 75 00

thehoxton.com/paris