Saint James Paris

The Scene

The 16th arrondissement is something of New York’s Upper East Side. It’s certainly a residential area but borders famous landmarks like the the Arc de Triomphe and the Avenue Victor Hugo. These are within a very short walk, yet you’d never know if you didn’t step outside the splendid grounds of the Saint James Hotel (and Club). We highly recommend taking a stroll through the scenic 16th and down to the magnificent Trocadero where you’ll see the ever-popular Eiffel Tower. If you happened to bring a car, you won’t be hurting for parking or easy access out of Paris; Saint James sits very close to the main roads out of the city.

The Concept

Tucked behind an impressive gate, Saint James Paris is a fin de siècle oasis. Step inside to find whimsical space after whimsical space that’ll probably make you fall in love with it. It’s also got a long and interesting history: the estate was first used as an aerodrome (i.e. a hot air balloon field) then as the home for the Thiers Foundation until it finally became the esteemed Saint James Club and hotel. And its journey is played out everywhere, from details as unexpected as wallpaper to as grand as a 10,000+ strong library straight out of a book lover’s fantasy. Executive chef Virginie Basselot helps bring a feminine touch to balance out the masculine past of the Saint James Hotel. Her award-winning cuisine brings the inherent taste and beauty of fresh, simple ingredients to the tip of your tongue in an often (literally) lofty and imaginative plating. Make sure you spend some time outside too where you’ll find a splendid surprise that plays up the history of Saint James as Paris’s first aerodrome.

The Look

If Napoleon III had Bambi Sloan as an interior designer, this would be his favorite house. Sloan simultaneously embraces and rejects classic color schemes starting with the magnificent black-and-white double staircase (à la the Ascot Race scene of My Fair Lady) --- lined, of course, with sumptuous red carpet---and then proceeds to throw tradition out the window. She knows how to make an entrance, injecting soul into every space using sumptuous fabrics and colors from all across the spectrum to create 48 different rooms and suites that draw on historic “character” inspiration (think Rene Magritte or Madeleine Castaing). She fundamentally understands color and mixes unlikely combinations together for a dramatic yet elegant effect; perhaps the most innovative example of this is her “parquet carpet” (an arguably softer alternative to parquet flooring that looks just like the real thing).

In Short

From its picture-perfect looks to its beautifully eccentric soul the Saint James Paris will surprise and delight you at every turn. Discover yet another magical side of Paris in its only remaining chateau hotel.