We arrived late at night and checked in at the compact desk tucked into the corner of an atmospheric little cocktail bar. As one of the first openings by Parisian powerhouse The Experimental Cocktail Club, it’s hardly surprising that the hotel is integrated into the bar, and not the other way around. And the bar is a delight. It’s the kind of place that draws the post-prandial wanders in with its low lighting and subdued-but-chic interior.

The bottled negroni left in the room with a handwritten note was a nice touch that added to the welcome. Rooms are petite but perfectly arranged with luxurious bathrooms, quirky retro flourishes and some flamboyant design choices – think: leopard print carpet. 

Who stays here? 

Couples and solo creatives have found a hip but affordable base in a cool part of the city, here.

Rooms 

A brass door knocker in the shape of a pineapple set the playful tone for our room, which was dinky and kitschy. Practically, despite the limited square footage, the king sized bed, desk area and hanging space are all perfectly ample. Aesthetically, the details are a delight: a retro phone, cut crystal water glasses, brass hardware and vintage-style radio all make the space synonymous with the Experimental Group style. There are tea and coffee-making facilities, a safe and a minibar stocked with a ‘love kit’.

The bathroom is beautifully designed with deep green metro tiles, rainfall shower heads, marble vanity units and large and well-lit mirrors – even in the smallest rooms. Toiletries are from cult haircare brand Sachajuan.

Food and drink

Breakfast is not included in every rate but €19 gets you access to a continental buffet and hot options a la carte. Coffee is excellent and juice freshly squeezed. 

The bar / restaurant wraps around the ground floor facade of the building. Characterised by dark wood, buttery leather upholstery and antique brass fittings, the place has an atmosphere that evolves from chic brasserie to sultry cocktail bar over the hours. The menu is Italian and all 200 wines on the list are from Italy.

Design details

I love the tactile weight of proper room keys. The key display behind the check-in desk is old- fashioned and lovely – and being required to leave your key as you leave the hotel adds another little interaction and opportunity for staff to enquire about plans, or offer to assist with reservations or taxis. 

Service 

Service is low-key but efficient. One could assume that the staff are aloof in that cool, extremely Parisian way – but they are simply unobtrusive and happy to make recommendations and help when asked. I loved the handwritten note in the room and how knowledgable staff are on the menus and local area.

Things to do

Buvette is just opposite the hotel and is great for brunch. Nearby, Musée de la Vie romantique is a sweet little museum with a pretty rose garden. From there, you could walk up to Abbesses for the brocante if you’re there on a Sunday, then wander up the hill and through Montmartre village, and back down the other side to the A.P.C. surplus store. It might be time for wine then, so head to Brasserie Barbès.

Packing list

101 Parisian chic: The best black skinny jeans, black jumper and black coat you can afford. Sunglasses, gold hoops, lipstick. And New Balance trainers, as the central location is ideal for walking.

Getting there

Situated in the 9th arrondissement, ideal for the night life of South Pigalle and just a short uphill walk to Montmartre. The hotel is a three minute walk from Pigalle metro station (lines 2 and 12).

29 rue Victor Massé, Paris, 75009, France
grandpigalle.com