Maison Albar – Le Pont-Neuf, an elegant cocoon in the heart of Paris

The pitch?

Opened at the end of 2016, the 5-star hotel is the first addition to the family-run Maison Albar hotel group, created the same year. If you're looking for a hotel in central Paris, its location is unquestionably optimal, just a stone's throw from the Samaritaine and close to the Louvre Museum and Centre Pompidou.

What's the hotel like?

The building has been completely redesigned from the inside out, retaining only its typical Haussmann façade. The decoration was entrusted to architect Alexandre Danan, who drew his inspiration from the 1985 work by artist Christo, which at the time wrapped up the neighboring Pont-Neuf. The result is a play of sheer curtains, combined with the warmth and cosiness of wood and leather, curved in a style subtly reminiscent of the 1930s. The turnkey address also boasts its own restaurant, Odette, a self-proclaimed "urban auberge" where the menu, devised by Caroline and Sophie Rostang, gives pride of place to garden produce, prepared simply but effectively. After an intense day of sightseeing, the Pont-Neuf spa is also worth a visit, with its swimming pool, hammam, jacuzzi, sensory shower, fitness area and 3 cabins offering treatments by Cinq Mondes, Holidermie and Nougatine Paris for younger guests. One of the capital's finest hotel spas.

How are the rooms?

Maison Albar - Le Pont-Neuf offers 60 rooms and suites, divided into 5 categories. All are decorated in the same spirit: timeless design with Art Deco touches in natural, pastel hues, combined with modern amenities such as home automation. Functional bathrooms are equipped with shower and bathtub, as well as an original Japanese toilet system.

The room to book?

The rooftop suite is a real eye-catcher, as you climb the winding staircase leading to the sleeping area, encircled by a bay window offering a breathtaking 180° view of the Paris skyline. You can see the rooftops of the capital's most famous landmarks. And on a clear day, you can even gaze up at the stars from the skylight over your cozy bed.

Highlights

An all-in-one establishment that makes you feel at home, in an unostentatious version of luxury, in a booming Paris neighborhood.

5 things we loved about Maison Albar - Le Pont-Neuf

• The small inner courtyard, a secluded oasis from the hustle and bustle of the city
• The spa pool, topped by a well of light
• Odette, the bar-restaurant open 24 hours a day to hotel residents and guests alike
• The recently launched Clés d'Or concierge service
• Central location, ideal for visiting or revisiting Paris.