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Le Dokhan Paris Arc de Triomphe: Romantic Paris Hotel by Eiffel Tower

(Last Updated On: April 26, 2023)

Le Dokhan’s Paris Arc de Triomphe (a Tribute Portfolio Hotel) is a private romantic Paris hotel. It felt like a sequestered cocoon from which the outside world recedes.

Few would argue that there is no better place to be in the City of Light than a romantic Paris hotel with the one you love. On a recent visit to Paris, we found a favorite boutique hotel located in the 16th arrondissement near the Champs-Elysées. You will find Le Dokhan’s Hotel at 117 Rue Lauriston, off Ave Raymond Poincaré between Victor Hugo Metro Station and Place du Trocadéro.

romantic Paris hotel
Our romantic Paris hotel: Le Dokhan’s Arc de Triomphe

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Amenity Rich Boutique Hotel with Champagne Bar Near the Champs-Elysées

The appeal of this favorite hotel would be far, far less without its temporary nature, of course. Others who share the space during your stay will move on, just as you. But for a brief interlude while you’re visiting Paris, you’ll have something in common. Staying at Le Dokhan’s is an intimate experience that feels like having a sequestered cocoon from which the outside world secedes.

Step into the hotel lobby and drink in an atmosphere specifically designed by Frederic Mechiche to convey luxury and comfort in the heart of Paris. Public spaces feature paintings by Picasso and Matisse while parquet floors and wainscoting in the Neo-Classical style contribute to an authentic impression.

On the blustery afternoon we arrived, hotel staff had lit the wood-burning fireplace to ward off winter’s chill. A hushed serenity in which footfalls are muffled by thick carpets and upholstered walls descended upon us. This hotel in Paris is like a world within a world, with the requisite views of the Eiffel Tower and Champs Élysées from the balcony of your room or suite, as well as the first champagne bar in Paris, with the largest champagne menu we’ve encountered anywhere.

Romance is In the Details at Le Dokhan’s

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Our room reflected in a mirror

Gilded details befitting a regent adorn the hotel’s 45 rooms, as befitting a luxe private residence from the Belle Epoque. Views of the city’s icons such as the Eiffel Tower and Champs-Élysées can be had from the balcony of several rooms and suites.

romantic Paris hotel
Gilded details

Many of the hotel rooms feature a bed with a princess canopy, accessorized by pillows and coverlets in profusion. Windows have elaborate wrought-iron latches which, when open, send sheer curtains billowing.

romantic Paris hotel
Our room

Breakfast at LeDokhan’s

If a romantic Paris hotel is the ideal way to spend your city sojourn, then the second best would have to be a quiet breakfast there with an hour or two to spare. Not only to dine but to breathe in the overall experience, so tempting as room service might be, forego it and step into the dining space.

Part of the appeal of travel is freedom from outcome. Unfettered by the complications of familiarity, a traveler may observe a moment’s tiniest details in stark relief as it unfolds. Adornments painted and carved long ago, monograms on silver cutlery, a custom-made fragrance mimicking woodsmoke in a public room to welcome a newcomer. The way a person is dressed, the things they carry, their set of mannerisms – all can evoke an imaginative story in the traveler’s mind, the truth of which is immaterial.

romantic paris hotel
The salon where woodsmoke incense sets a wintry mood

The woman who dines alone, hair effortlessly arranged with a tortoise shell comb, paisley shawl with fringe artlessly draped and wrapped, impossibly chic. Did she leave a lover languishing upstairs? Here he arrives with a hand on the portiere, older than expected, eyes alighting on her as she turns to meet his gaze. They smile rather than speak.

romantic Paris hotel
Velvet portieres in the dining room entrance

The businessman reading a German newspaper from the entry table. The older Japanese couple, he tapping on his phone, she pouring his tea. The fashion buyers going over their notes. All too soon they will fade away, and you wonder how many others like them – and you – have transited through this room in the three centuries since it was part of a family home.

romantic Paris hotel
Marcel disappears through a secret panel door. Can you guess where it is?

The waiter, Marcel, glides swiftly and soundlessly about his tasks, disappearing and reappearing by way of a secret panel door. In an instant he is before you with a discreetly-whispered, “Madame?” Silver tongs proffer the perfect croissant or rounded hard roll from a plate draped with white linen. Another minute and he returns with vivid raspberry juice, flawlessly seedless, each sip staining your winter lips with a bit of heavenly promise.

romantic Paris hotel
Seedless raspberry juice – how does it happen?

Your coffee is poured from a personal pot sized for no more than a half cup extra at a time – it should never be cold. Marcel will replace it with a white-gloved flourish before you ask. Your omelet lies in a golden triangular fold on a porcelain plate, toast points are cosseted in a napkin, the salt and pepper are spooned. The charcutiér has shaved today’s délicieux jambon transparently thin. You may have as much of anything as you like and linger as long as you wish.

romantic Paris hotel
Savor every detail

Enjoy the Best Champagne Selection in Paris 

Toast your visit to the most romantic city in the world with a glass of champagne in the gold-accented Bar Le Dokhan’s which has more than 240 options to choose from, curated by the hotel’s Parisian sommelier. Select delicacies to accompany it such as foie gras and caviar from Maison Petrossian’s specialties.

Tips and Information

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The hotel is a former 18th century residence and has the oldest champagne bar in Paris with the city’s largest champagne menu (where the breakfast experience we described is served) with over 70 varieties available. Concierge and check-in services were seamless. If you are short on cash for taxi, you may step into the lobby and ask the valet or concierge for some from the hotel’s petty cash to pay your fare.

As we were staying during Fashion Week, there was an apology that a loyalty upgrade was unavailable due to the hotel being completely full. Instead, we were offered free breakfast for two, a 60 euro daily value at the time. The hotel’s 16th arr. neighborhood is convenient with many dining and pub options. We found it very walkable with metro stop, Champs Elysées shopping (Louis Vuitton or Dior anyone?), Trocadero, Arc de Triomphe, Paris City Center, Louvre, and Notre Dame easily reached on foot, arguably the best way to get around.

Lovebirds may want to venture out in the predawn to Trocadéro Circle and await the sunrise. In winter, it illuminates the Eiffel Tower in gold across the Seine. Truly a breathtaking sight that we, alas, glimpsed only from our taxi as it sped us to our train for Zurich.

Le Dokhan’s Trocadéro, 117 Rue Lauriston, Paris 75116  Tel: +33 1 53 65 66 99 Free high speed internet, pet friendly.

Tips for Trip Success

Book Your Flight
Find an inexpensive flight by using Kayak, a favorite of ours because it regularly returns less expensive flight options from a variety of airlines.

Book Your Hotel or Special Accommodation
We are big fans of Booking.com. We like their review system and photos. If we want to see more reviews and additional booking options, we go to Expedia.

You Need Travel Insurance!
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Margot

Monday 16th of February 2015

Paris my fav city in the world Now being widowed I can only dream of another romantic holiday I too notice such details when I travel many of my friends are taken by the things I retain from a dinner, visit, journey. I consider writing but feel others would only be bored. After reading your essay I see I am not alone Thank God Thank you for a lovely revisit to my beautiful Paris

Betsy Wuebker

Monday 16th of February 2015

Hi Margot - Write! If you're an observer and a reader, and it sounds like you are both, you can be a writer. You'll never know until you try. :)

TOP TIPS FOR ADDING LUXURY TO QUALITY TIME WITH YOUR LOVED ONES. - Destination Luxury

Friday 16th of January 2015

[…] Interlude in a Romantic Paris Hotel […]

alison @GreenWithRenvy

Monday 12th of January 2015

Beautifully written piece Betsy. I loved your descriptions and am feeling the romance all the way in frigid Boston!

Betsy Wuebker

Monday 12th of January 2015

hi Alison - glad to transport you, if only temporarily.

Michelle - Very Hungry Explorer

Sunday 11th of January 2015

That looks like a wonderful place to stay. I love a hotel with a good breakfast, starts the day off perfectly.

Betsy Wuebker

Sunday 11th of January 2015

Hi Michelle - Especially one you can linger over and people watch! :)

Kristen Sarra

Sunday 11th of January 2015

I love your description of the Parisian hotel experience! It is really weird to think about how many lives came before you and had varied experience in the same place!

Betsy Wuebker

Sunday 11th of January 2015

Hi Kristen - I love trying to imagine the various experiences. Sometimes the energy they have left behind is palpable. This space was very peaceful.

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