Relais Christine

The Scene

Saint-Germain delivers on both expected and unexpected delights. In this neighborhood, you’re guaranteed the picturesque alleys we tend to associate Paris with, but this is also the place where you tend to find that one amazing shop or restaurant that feels like only you know about. Even though you may feel like you’re worlds away from everything, you’re not at all---famous boulevards, the Seine, and Notre Dame is a short walk away. The Musee d’Orsay and the Louvre are just a bit farther and we couldn’t recommend the stroll more highly.

The Concept

The word relais means to stop by, to pause. So often we forget that when we travel; as such, we love a place like Relais Christine that slows our frenetic pace down without even knowing it. The space is inviting from the moment you set eyes on the charming courtyard and are drawn into the home itself. You could just as easily imagine the portraits in the lobby as your own great-great-great aunts and uncles as anything else, and with the cozy atmosphere that permeates the Relais Christine, you probably will. The fireplace lounge just behind the lobby beckons you to sit down and stay a while (grab a drink from the honor bar) and the ancient vaulted breakfast room offers a delicious breakfast and inspiring architectural start to your day (Relais Christine was once the site of an Augustinian monastery). Whether it’s sunny or snowing or raining outside, the garden surrounding the hotel adds an extra touch of magic. We recommend checking in with the concierge even if you’ve already got a plan; not only have they earned the illustrious Clefs d’Or, but this concierge team is particularly knowledgeable about special events and exhibitions going on and are an invaluable resource to help you hit the local and seasonal high notes in the tourist scene.

The Look

Just as the design in stately homes seems to stand the test of time, so the style of Relais Christine aims to do the same. It draws on classic color palettes like Dutch blue with white accents, red and black, and of course black and white and also uses soft neutrals like tan and grey. The bones of the building are used, giving you some of the more generous ceilings in Paris as well as some of the most interesting (think exposed beams). Room types play to the strengths of their architecture; our favorites are the Deluxe Junior Suite and the Duplex Junior Suite. These junior suites offer just the right amount of space and make us feel like we’ve got our very own loft in Paris.

In Short

Timeless design and the feel of a cozy hideaway keep guests coming back to the Relais Christine again and again. A true modern-day relais, you’ll be delighted to pause and enjoy your stay.