Hotel de Nell

The Scene

Situated in the midst of the Opera, Hotel de Nell occupies the corner on a peaceful street. Walk a block or two to find yourself on the large boulevards Paris is famous for. The area boasts fine restaurants and opera houses but is also a fine jumping-off point for seeing the "main" sights of Paris. However, if you want to blend in with the locals, be sure to ask the hotel staff for recommendations-they pride themselves on excellent suggestions that many tourists pass over for the more well-trafficked sights.

The Concept

Hotel de Nell exudes a calm, modern sophistication from the outside in. It doesn't need (or try) to overwhelm with hyper colors and overdesign; de Nell instead opts for refinement, employing contrasting colors that are subdued and natural materials such as Oregon myrtle wood to breathe quiet elegance throughout the space. Speaking of quiet, an acoustician was integral in the design process to guarantee peace reigns throughout; just listen for any doors closing and you'll hear exactly what we're talking about. Hotel de Nell called upon chef Bruno Doucet to carry the atmosphere through to the in-house restaurant La Regalade, an acclaimed brasserie with warm service and a clean black-and-white palette in addition to a surprisingly affordable set of prix fixe menus. Specially mixed music is gently piped through the lobby and inviting bar where you can imbibe spirits of the highest quality. Tucked away downstairs you'll find the beauty treatment rooms run by Spa des Cinq Mondes, a group known for their beauty products and services sans anything you don't really need.

The Look

Just because de Nell isn't flashy doesn't mean its luxury is diminished-the quality of materials employed by designer Jean-Michel Wilmotte are only the best and the amenities are top-notch. Each of the 34 rooms is stocked with Egyptian cotton, underfloor heating, an Italian rain shower, and so much tranquility you can't help but feel relaxed. 18 rooms have a Japanese bath carved from solid marble and complemented with herbal bath products to tap into the revered relaxing qualities of water and a great soak (but also have a separate Italian rain shower). Classic rooms look out onto the inner courtyard while larger rooms survey picturesque Sainte-Cecile Church or Haussmannian buildings.

In Short

The ambience of Hotel de Nell is a perfect composition of calm, cool luxury. For the traveler who understands hotels don't need to scream to be heard, Hotel de Nell will surely prove itself a haven of serene grace.