La Fantaisie Paris is one of those hotels where they really are as cool as they look online. I am loving this design trend right now—high end boutique hotels that are so over the top, they redefine what you think of when you think of the word chic. Long story short, we loved La Fantaisie Paris. Keep reading to find out why you should book this brand-new hotspot on your next trip to Paris.
La Fantaisie Paris review: the short version
- Verdict: Yes, book it. A design-led boutique hotel that lives up to its photographs.
- Location: 9th arrondissement, in a café-lined neighborhood most American visitors overlook but that looks like the Paris everyone pictures.
- The look: rococo apartment energy, green, floral and layered with fabric; refined without being stiff.
- Eat and drink: rooftop bar on the 7th floor; Golden Poppy by Chef Dominique Crenn, California-meets-Asian cooking with a Parisian edge.
- Best for: couples and design-minded travelers who want a residential neighborhood over a tourist hub.
La Fantaisie Paris: The hotel
We stayed at the hotel after a long stay in the South of France before heading back home to Boston, so we arrived via Blacklane of course from Gare du Lyon. And I have to say that the drive itself from the train station was a delight, this is an area of Paris that I think not many American tourists typically choose as a home base, which is a real shame because it looked like the Paris that we all think of but have a hard time finding.
When you arrive, you will instantly be stimulated by the bustling café scene in front of La Fantaisie Paris. And when you walk in you will feel as if you have stepped into someone’s rococo apartment, as everything is green, floral and textured. It is all quite fun and refined at the same time. If you love cool fabrics, this is the place for you.
And when you head upstairs, the rooms are homey and comfortable with all the amenities you need for a luscious night’s stay. And by the way, if you are someone who loves a hot shower after a day of travel, this bathroom with revive you no matter how long a journey you had before arriving at this little Parisian gem—A+ shower.
Dining
After showering, get dressed up and head up to the 7th floor for a little aperitivo, as the hotel has a rooftop bar that mirrors the rest of the property when it comes to cool factor. And afterwards, be sure to have a table booked at Golden Poppy by Chef Dominique Crenn. The concept for the restaurant is California fresh Asian fusion. And it gives all that off in a very sexy Parisian way. This is the place to bring a foodie date.
Last but not least, when it is time to tuck in for the night you are also in for a treat as the covers on the bed are plush, airy and cozy. Take another shower in that fab bathroom of yours and then slide underneath the sheets for an amazing night’s sleep—knowing that the best part is, all you have to do tomorrow is do it all over again.
For more ideas on what to do in Paris, check out our guide to where to take the best photos in Paris.
Is La Fantaisie Paris worth it?
If you choose hotels for how they feel rather than for a famous address, yes. The 9th is a real Parisian neighborhood rather than a postcard, the design is the point of the stay and not a backdrop, and having a Dominique Crenn restaurant and a rooftop bar in the building means the evening is sorted before you leave the lobby. Travelers who want to be steps from the Louvre or the Champs-Élysées should look elsewhere; everyone else should book.