La Réserve Paris Hotel & Spa

For anyone who has fantasized about waking up in a quintessentially Parisian apartment, La Réserve’s 40 rooms and suites can make that dream real. In a peaceful location overlooking the tree-lined Élysée gardens in the mostly residential 8th arrondissement, the hotel occupies a Haussmann mansion that was originally built by Napoleon III for his half-brother, the Duc de Morny. Jacques Garcia has glamorously reimagined the interiors in his signature Belle-Époque-meets-belle-opulence style. The suites are as large as private apartments, complete with silk-paneled walls, velvet headboards, antique furniture and spacious white marble bathrooms. A few even come with balconies for breakfast or a pre-dinner aperitif with prime views—there’s nothing like watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night from a lofty perch. The feeling of tucked-away privacy continues in the common spaces, including the serene library, with a fireplace and cushy reading nooks, plus a 55-foot indoor swimming pool. The butler team can personalize a range of experiences—from shopping to culture—and the two restaurants welcome guests back at the end of a long day of exploring.

The Standout: The suites that feel like the ultimate pied-à-terre

Don’t Miss: The contemporary French gastronomic restaurant Le Gabriel (with two Michelin stars)

• The specialty tours on offer, from a summer Seine cruise with dinner to a city tour by sidecar
• The cozy library, complete with a cabinet of curiosities, for guests or by invitation only (so you can entertain as if you were at home)
• The 50-foot candlelit pool in the hushed underground spa

Located in the 8th Arrondissement, the Jacques Garcia–designed La Réserve opened in 2015 and was instantly adored by initial guests, who quickly became La Réserve loyalists, many of whom return to the hotel every time they’re in Paris. Housed in a Haussmann mansion, the elegant retreat has just 40 rooms (25 of which are suites) and delivers understated elegance in traditional Belle Époque style. While each suite is unique in its layout, all are adorned with silk-paneled walls, velvet headboards, antique furniture and contemporary accents. A few even have large balconies with expansive views over Paris where guests can enjoy a pre-dinner drink or en-suite breakfast. Bathrooms are spacious and entirely outfitted in white marble.

Thoughtful details are apparent throughout the rooms, with TVs hidden behind mirrors, complimentary minibars and spacious closets. The hotel evokes the feel of an intimate and sophisticated private home, but with top-notch, high-touch service. Of particular note is the reading room, lined with innumerable books and filled with cozy antique chairs, and the open honor bar.

Onsite amenities include an indoor pool, spa and contemporary French restaurant Le Gabriel, which has two Michelin stars and is helmed by the former chef of local favorite Senderens (now named Lucas Carton). The hotel also offers a complimentary car service to take guests to dinner every night from 7 to 9 p.m. on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Couples and families with older kids who want the luxuries of a five-star hotel but with a smaller, more intimate, boutique feel and an in-house, two-Michelin-starred restaurant.

— Rose Allen