Hotel Vernet

The classic Haussmann building was built as a hotel in 1913 and underwent a full renovation in 2014, when the property came under the B Signature Hotels & Resorts umbrella. The family-owned hotel group is based in France and runs several design-driven Paris boutiques, including Hotel de Sers, Hotel Montalembert, and Bel Ami. B Signature enlisted the design expertise of Francoise Champsaur, who overhauled the interiors with a contemporary minimalism. Upon entering, guests are greeted with checkered Carrera marble floors and Cles d'Or concierges behind a black oak check-in desk. A brass mesh backdrop catches the eye and introduces Champsaur's modern vision for Hotel Vernet. From the curving copper sconces to the rippling marble bar to the marble-top bedside tables, his custom designs are made for the hotel by French factories and workshops renowned for their stone- and metalwork. The custom fittings work handsomely with the building's original Belle Epoque details, such as the arched doors, paneled walls, marble fireplace, and incredible, still-functioning brass birdcage elevator.A businesslike atmosphere goes hand in hand with the art-gallery looks. Hotel Vernet doesn't position itself as a leisure hotel, but rather one for business and corporate clients. Just a quick glance around the lobby, restaurant, and bar confirms that this is not a place for tourists. It's a place for professionals in town for meetings, press-junket interviews, fashion week, and business in the surrounding 8th arrondissement. 

Hotel Vernet is located on one of the cobbled side street radiating out from the Arc de Triomphe, which is five minutes away on foot. The swank 8th arrondissement location is renowned for its prestige shopping (concentrated on Champs-Elysees, parallel to Rue Vernet) and dining (L'Atelier Etoile de Joel Robuchon is around the corner), as well as for its many corporate offices (luxury-goods group LVMH, telecom giant Bouygues, and the France division of HSBC bank are headquartered here). A three-minute walk from the hotel is the George V metro station (line 1) and it's a seven-minute walk to the Charles de Gaulle - Etoile transport hub, which provides both metro (lines 1, 2, and 6) and RER train connections throughout Paris and beyond. Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports can both be reached in about 30 minutes by car.

Hotel's 50 rooms and suites come in five main categories: Superior, Deluxe, and Prestige rooms and Executive and Prestige suites. Despite these groupings, all rooms share a stylish elegant decor centered on wood, marble, stone, brass, and gold. All have hardwood floors and hand-crafted modern furnishings (largely designed by Champsaur), like marble-top tables, stone-and-wood work desks, and muted bedside lamps shaped like coffee beans. Champsaur played up the somber colors and natural materials with ikat throw pillows and gradient wool blankets. The result is a chic and harmonious spin on structured business digs. Of note: Unlike many Paris hotels that are converted apartment houses, Hotel Vernet was built as a hotel, so its rooms are bigger than what is typically found. The entry-level category is 270 square feet.Flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, safes, and lounge chairs and side tables are standard in all rooms. Minibars are stocked with Toblerone, Champagne, juice, and spirits. Starting with the Prestige Rooms, there are Nespresso machines with free coffee and tea. Views are either of Rue Vernet or the interior courtyard; top-floor rooms can see a good distance. Some rooms have step-out Juliet balconies.The bathrooms at Hotel Vernet are utter knockouts. All are walled in veined Carrera marble and graphic black-and-white tiles. Prestige Rooms and all suites have both rainfall showers and deep soaking tubs; Superior and Deluxe rooms have either a walk-in shower or a shower/tub combo. All bathrooms come with robes and slippers, marble sinks and countertops with brass fixtures, heated brass towel racks, and separate toilet rooms. Rooms have custom bath products; suites have minis from Hermes. The largest units, the Prestige Suites, can be booked for special gatherings and events.

Hotel Vernet offers three types of breakfast packages, starting with the continental: croissants (including chocolate), baguettes, seven-grain bread, jams and honey, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and fresh juices (orange, grapefruit, carrot, grape, and tomato). After breakfast, Le V Restaurant transitions to a fine-dining destination for lunch and dinner, serving Chef Richard Robe's classic and upscale French menus with options such as sole meuniere, stuffed and roasted guinea fowl, and beef tenderloin with marrow. (Room service is also available 24 hours a day.) Streamlined furnishings and contemporary art fill the space, but it is the spectacular glass dome -- designed by none other than Gustave Eiffel and restored during the 2014 renovation -- that takes center stage.Visually, the adjacent bar and lounge holds its own. Paris-based artist Jean-Michel Alberola's contemporary carpeting and ceiling fresco, both custom designed for the hotel, beautifully frame the wavy Carrera bar and pleated copper screen (both dreamed up by Champsaur). Midcentury-modern chairs and poufs provide seating, while walls are decorated with original art and winding brass sconces. A Baroque marble fireplace, original to the building, stands at one end. Both the restaurant and the bar can be booked for private events. Hotel Vernet does not have its own spa, but in-room massages, mani/pedis, and other beauty treatments can be arranged. Three parking spots and valet are available for guests. Laundry, dry cleaning, and airport transfers are available (all for fee). The hotel accommodates pets, to the point that it will prepare special food, like pate, for visiting pets. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.