Our romantic Paris hotel
A romantic Paris hotel is a sequestered cocoon from which we can conjure imaginative stories about our fellow travelers. These may or may not be true.
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.
The appeal 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, you’ll have something in common: a sequestered cocoon from which the outside world secedes. A hushed serenity in which footfalls are muffled by thick carpets and upholstered walls. A world within a world.
Our room reflected in a mirror
Gilded details befitting a regent.
Gilded details
A princess canopy with pillows and coverlets in profusion. Windows with elaborate wrought-iron latches which when open, send sheer curtains billowing.
Our room
If a romantic Paris hotel is the ideal way to spend your city sojourn, then second best would have to be at quiet breakfast in the same romantic Paris hotel with an hour or two to spare. Not only to dine, but to take in.
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, incense 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Savor every detail
Our delightful romantic Paris hotel stay (free with Club Carlson points) was with Radisson Blu Le Dokhan’s Trocadéro, a 4-star boutique property. Please note that since this post was published, Le Dokhan’s has left the Carlson Hotels organization, and is now affiliated as a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, with the SPG-Marriott organization. The hotel is a former 18th century residence and has the city’s oldest champagne bar (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 run in 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 Club Carlson member upgrade was unavailable due to the hotel being completely full. Instead, we were offered free breakfast for two, a 60 euro daily value. 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, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre and Notre Dame easily reached on foot. 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.
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I loved how you described the other people. I felt as if I was there. This place sounds wonderful. My husband and I have a trip to England planned in fall – this post has me thinking how we night add some days and manage a romantic interlude in Paris.
Hi Donna – It’s been about a year since this stay, and I would love to go back. Hope you can manage it!
this looks fantastic. full of romance, pampering, deliciousness, and fun. 😉
Hi Melody – It’s all that and more. Truly a lovely experience.
You had me at romantic PARIS hotel and your photos show me a place that lives up to my dream of romantic. Your descriptions of the people, hotel decor and breakfast experience were so detailed and sounded like you were definitely “in the moment” and enjoying it immensely!
Hi Anita – It definitely is a vivid moment. With my memory these days, it’s amazing how many details I can recall from a year ago.
Well that looks quite a swank stay in the City of Love and Light – wonderful details and color to the rooms. It does looks like a special stay!
Hi Noel – Swank is a great word to describe it. Great style and attention to details.
What a delightful article! Your hotel sounds so posh and your keen observations — true or untrue — were fun to read. Your photos are excellent too!!
Hi Marilyn – It is a great little hotel, fairly reasonable by comparison with others of its calibre in Paris. Glad you enjoyed this post.
Oooh, la, la! Radisson Blu Le Dokhan’s Trocadéro sounds like it delivers the goods.
Hi Carole – They certainly do. Everyone there works very hard to maintain the standard, but they make it look effortless.
What a great looking hotel for a stay in The City of Lights. Really captures the feel of Paris!
Hi Gypsynesters – Yes, it really does have that uniquely Parisian feel.
This hotel looks like a great find~
It looks so very Parisienne! Loved your very evocative writing.
Hi Irene – We actually had the choice of two in this neighborhood with Carlson points and it was hard to know. Perhaps we would pick the other next time, but they would have to work very hard to match this experience.
Love the details. I wouldn’t even need a significant other to enjoy this space, immensely! 🙂
Hi Nancie – Neither would I. I’d just hang out in the champagne bar and hope to meet an interesting person or two. 🙂
What a beautiful hotel and you described it in such a lovely way!. I’ve only ever stayed alone in Paris and in budget rooms with bathrooms down the halls at that but I still thought the city was one of the most romantic places to be. I wonder what Carlson points are? They look worth collecting if you can get such a beauty of a hotel room.
Hi Michele – Carlson points are the rewards program the Radissons and their related properties have: http://clubcarlson.com. We’d managed to stockpile quite a few in anticipation of our trip with various programs and stayed for our month in Europe in luxury hotels for next to nothing.
Oh you make me long for a romantic escape! We’ve just completed a wonderful week of Umbria Jazz Winter in Italy, and though we had as much fun as our Music and Markets guests, after those late jazzy nights we jumped right back into our kitchen renovation. Oh would a restful getaway be welcome! I’ll just look at your beautiful photos and dream…
Hi Anne – You’re close enough that a quick getaway would be relatively easy. 🙂
Happy New Year Betsy!
Your writing is indeed lovely, transporting me back to Paris. You have captured the details that make travel fun — the differences in culture and histories evident in everything you see, smell, taste, and feel. Paris holds so much inspiration!
And portieres! I love that they were there — and that you knew the correct term for them!
Well done, Betsy! Wishing you happy and safe travels.
Josie
Hi Josie – Yeah, portieres! Historically used to keep the cold out before central heating. Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
While Radisson’s program is called Club Carlson (after Curt Carlson, their founder), the points are called Gold Points (not Carlson points). That name too refers back in time to when Curt Carlson ran Gold Stamps. Along with S&H Green stamps, these were early customer appreciation/loyalty programs where you actually had to paste the stamps into little booklets. My how times of changed! I look forward to my first trip to Paris, but it’s on my list for this year!
Hi LarsErikNYC – Thanks for clarifying. Club Carlson is a relative newcomer from our hometown of Minneapolis within the last five years to hotel points. We were fortunate to get in on the early days and rack up tens of thousands with fairly little effort. 🙂
Oooh, love those thoughts on other guests who’ve stayed or are staying in your romantic hotel. What are their secrets, their loves? Great creative way to write up a review of a hotel. You make us want to cocoon there too!
Hi Janice – I think you’d love the experience. And doesn’t everyone speculate when they people watch? Where’s the fun, otherwise. 😉
I was transported to the CIty of Light with this post. I too love to people watch when traveling, and the food lookd fab.
Hi Brianna – It’s so fun to imagine when people-watching, isn’t it. Glad you liked it.
“Part of the appeal of travel is freedom from outcome.”
Love this and your following observation –
“Unfettered by the complications of familiarity”
You’ve summed up perfectly the love we experience when roaming the world!
Hi Linda – Yes, indeed. I finally realized this about myself a year ago on this inspiring trip, and I know it resonates with many. We just don’t have to vest in everything that goes on, which is easier said than done in a familiar milieu with expectations, etc.
What a delightful read! I felt transported back in time to the Paris of old…soooo nice! Your pictures are amazing – what a treat. This is how someone who visits Paris should spend their time. A wonderful experience!
Hi Lisa – We were just talking about this stay again over dinner. Posting about it brought up so many additional details. It truly is a gem. Glad you liked it.
Damn, that place is nice man. The last time I was in Paris I slept on an air mattress in my friends apartment. Next time I’m hoping to upgrade to her couch. Maybe one day I’ll finally make it to an actual hotel. I do love a bit of people watching as well.
Hi Conor – I would think people watching in the champagne bar (the same as the breakfast room) in the evening would bring even more imaginative results. 🙂
What a great place to stay, love the little intricacies and nuances. I need to make it back to Paris again. : )
Hi Pablo – We all do. Especially now. 🙂
What a great review and a beautiful hotel – when I do make it to Paris i will sure keep this place in mind.
Hi Stephen and Jess – I hope you do consider staying at Le Dohan’s Trocadéro. It was really the quintessential Paris experience for us.
I loved the romantic stories intertwined with your stay in Paris. Okay, did I miss it? Where is the secret doorway that the waiter came through? People watching is such a fun pastime.
Hi Neva – If you look in the photo, you’ll see a faint horizontal line above the picture hanging above the bar counter; that’s the top of the door panel. That wall is actually perpendicular to the bar and the kitchen lies behind. So the whole thing, picture and all, swings inward to the kitchen. 🙂
Loved your review! I just love all things France and a romantic hotel like this in Paris makes me yearn to return immediately.
Hi Sue – I fell for Paris hard and fast, and love France dearly, too.
Loved the hotel- it was so mysterious not knowing the name until the end. Great evocative post. There’s nothing like fresh croissant and petit pan for breakfast with great butter and jam. Whenever I have this at home, I pretend I’m in Paris.
Hi Billie – Glad you enjoyed it. I agree, it’s fun to pretend we’re there when the things we have remind us.
I love how you’ve captured the mystique of the experience–great writing!
Hi Larissa – Glad you enjoyed this. It was fun to reminisce. 🙂
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!
Hi Kristen – I love trying to imagine the various experiences. Sometimes the energy they have left behind is palpable. This space was very peaceful.
That looks like a wonderful place to stay. I love a hotel with a good breakfast, starts the day off perfectly.
Hi Michelle – Especially one you can linger over and people watch! 🙂
Beautifully written piece Betsy. I loved your descriptions and am feeling the romance all the way in frigid Boston!
hi Alison – glad to transport you, if only temporarily.
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
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. 🙂