Paris is synonymous with all things romantic and sometimes those that are a little risqué. Both are encapsulated in a recently opened hotel in the city’s 10th arrondissement. The area was a ‘no go’ a few years ago, but is now very much a happening media hub and home to the aptly named Grand Amour. You find this surprising hotel down the Rue de Fidelite, just a short 15 minutes’ walk from the Gare du Nord.
It was opened just over year ago by three friends behind the Hotel Amour in Pigalle, also a former red-light district. The two hotels share a unique style, comfortable ambience and unusual décor. In Grand Amour, the owners have combined memories of places they have stayed over the years to create a hotel that is filled with antiques, 50s and 60s décor from flea markets, street art from friends and piles of art and rare books. A retro turntable plays vintage vinyl in the popular brasserie on the ground floor and the walls are adorned with erotic drawings and photomontage.
There are 42 rooms, all with their own individual character. Some have free freestanding bathtubs and all have beautiful Italian ceramic tiles and lovely Hermes toiletries. There are no TVs in the room but there is free Wi-Fi throughout, and you can expect to find piles of old books and art magazines to pursue. Each of the six floors is decorated in a different colour, ranging from pink to pea green. There is a suite on the top floor for families and groups and when you look out of the window most rooms have foliage tumbling gently from the windows.
Dining is in the brasserie on the ground floor where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served almost seamlessly. A delicious French breakfast of juice, croissants, toast, yoghurt and coffee is about £10 and main courses for lunch or dinner about £15. There is a lively vibe in the evenings when Parisians mix with visitors for drinks and music.
This is a perfect place for a Valentine’s treat or a city break. The hotel is situated conveniently for the Eurostar and many of Paris ‘attractions are within a walk or metro ride. The neighbouring streets around Rue du Faubourg are filled with lovely brasseries and bars. But you may just choose to stay all loved up in Grand Amour.
Nightly rates at Hotel Grand Amour start from £112 on a room only basis.
www.hotelamourparis.fr
18 Rue de la Fidelite ,Paris 10e
Tel: +33 01 4416 03 30
Travel to Paris from London St Pancras on Eurostar. Fly from Gatwick (about 45 minutes by taxi from the hotel)