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Behind the stately 1880 façade of the Hôtel de Sers, on a quiet street near the Champs-Elysées, things have taken a decidedly contemporary turn. Once the private home of the Marquis de Sers, the interior has been given a E11-million makeover by its new owners, the Vidalenc family. The entrance lobby is very grand, with a curving marble stairway and gallery of 19th-century portraits; thereafter the mood changes from Old World to futuristic, with bold-coloured chairs and a sleek marble bar edged with steel. The 52 rooms (including six suites and an apartment) were designed by the owner's nephew, architect Thomas Vidalenc, and he has made the most of each space, using strategically placed mirrors and recessed cupboards. Parquet floors, plush carpets, leather-top desks, raspberry-coloured loveseats and platform beds complete the picture. The white-marble bathrooms are a joy, with huge retro tubs, a separate glass shower stall and holistic bath products by Anne Semonin. Less impressive is the hotel's small restaurant, which serves an uninspired Provençal menu in a slightly chilly atmosphere. Despite this, and the young staff's lack of experience, the style, comfort and prime location of this hotel make it well worth a splurge.
WHEN TO GO
Spring and autumn are great for boutique browsing
ROOM TO BOOK
Glass-walled room 81, a penthouse suite with panoramic views of tout Paris and a large terrace
CONTACT
Hôtel de Sers, 41 avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie, Paris, France (00 33 1 53 23 75 75; fax: 53 23 75 76; www.hoteldesers.com). Doubles from euro 450; penthouse suite 81 from euro 1,200 |
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