Paris, France

An actress, an artist, and a world-renowned ballet dancer of Belle Époque, Cléo de Mérode was the IT Girl of Paris in the twentieth century. A contemporary of Gabrielle Chanel, Cléo was said to be one of the first celebrity icons, her charm and glamour eventually was recognized more than her dancing skills, and her latest hairstyle copied by Parisian women. Many artists like Edgar Degas, Felix Nadar, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and even Marcel Proust waited to photograph, paint, and sculpt her. Composer Reynaldo Hahn called her his “pretty little narcissus” because of her timeless beauty, which became the heart and inspiration of this lovely hotel. Her delicate free-spirit, sophisticated attitude and mysterious private life are beautifully sprinkled throughout Le Narcisse Blanc Hotel and Spa.

Le Narcisse Blanc Hotel and Spa is the quintessential Parisian boutique hotel located between the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides in the 7th arrondissement, the most chic and exclusive part of the capital. A stone’s throw away from the Seine River on the Left Bank, this hidden gem is just over two years young, housed in a stunning 19th century Haussmannian-style building. The historic and elegant façade is just a lovely introduction to this 5 Star Luxury Hotel and Spa, a member of the award-winning brand, Small Luxury Hotels of the World. 

After a weekend in Strasbourg, my friend and I caught the early train back to Paris and arrived at the hotel at around 9:00 in the morning. We were a little tired from the two-hour ride and decided to go to the hotel to store our luggages, have breakfast and explore the city. Warm and friendly smiles welcomed us and a lovely young woman checked our reservations. Much to our surprise, she told us our room will be ready in half an hour and showed us to the waiting area as she ordered us coffee. A true example of a 5-Star stellar service and attentive care, making it a great start of an unforgettable stay. 

From the moment you enter the hotel, black and gold Art-Deco inspired demi-round sliding doors will automatically open welcoming you, with narcissi marquetry and graceful sculptures on black and cream marble set for the concierge and reception desks reminiscent of 1920’s Parisian glamour set the tone. 

With the creative direction of Laurent Bardet and Laurence Jean, and interior design by the team of Thierry Martin and Thibaut Fron, the quartet together adorned the 37 spacious bedrooms and 7 suites a beautiful combination of Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Modern design with use of finest fabrics from tweed to velvet, duchesse satin, silk faille all blended elegantly in couture hues of cream, grey-beige, champagne, sand, ash, and powdered rose. 

Continuing into the lobby, plush and posh millennial pink, cream and ash grey loungers with gold-tipped legs makes you feel cozy like you’re right at home. The white-frosted gold-accented globe lamps help illuminate the already bright and natural light-filled salon, complete with the most gorgeous glass walls and ceilings. The hotel’s courtyard also with glass ceilings was beautifully decorated lush greenery with magical holiday lights. 

After the check-in process and the short wait, we were helped with our luggages and were escorted to the Gatsby-styled elevator up to the fourth floor to our room. The utterly chic and elegant decor continues to the room itself. Le Narcisse Blanc Hotel and Spa offers four different types of rooms: Classic, Superior, Deluxe and Executive. We stayed in an elegant Superior room which was so chic and spacious. Most hotels in Paris are on the smaller end but definitely not this one. 

Aside from the majestic high ceilings and natural light, the rooms possess fine detailed touches such as white paneled walls that shine with hints of gold, whimsically embroidered curtains, self-illuminating closets upon opening, and an elegant mix of pearl, beige and champagne tones with satin and velvet fabric make the room understatedly chic and cozy. If you fancy, you can book one of the seven suites and have a separate sitting room in front of your own fireplace. In some suites, you can even view the Eiffel Tower twinkle at night. 

Waiting for us was a pastry plate, with a welcome note and hand-written signature of the hotel manager, giving a warm personal touch. Also included were two complimentary Evian glass bottles. Each of the rooms have a writing desk, flat-screen TV with Bluetooth connection, in-room safe, fully-stocked mini bar and most importantly (for me, at least) was the Nespresso coffee maker with variety of coffee capsules (and tea options) for those before-breakfast or afternoon caffeine cravings. 

If you have been following my blog for a long time, you would be probably be familiar how I am captivated by fragrances. A few years back I even went to Grasse, France, the perfume capital of the world and concocted my own scent (I even received a certificate for it). One of the reasons that sets this hotel apart from other hotels is the lovely smell all around the property. What you don’t see in the photos is the delicate floral signature scent especially made for the hotel that makes you wonder if rooms of the Royal Families today smell the same. Scented candles and pillow mists carrying the hotel’s exclusive fragrance are for available to purchase at the Reception and the Spa. 

The bathroom is designed with elegant black and white marble all around with the complementary amenities which all have that signature Le Narcisse Blanc scent made exclusively for the hotel.  Plush bath robes, black and white slippers, magnifying mirror, hair dryer and even a weighing scale can also be found in the room.  The large spacious walk-in rainfall shower gives out good water temperature and pressure that makes you want to stay in the shower longer. Wall-mounted thermostat controls the heated towel rail. The real standouts are the glass-blown faucets with narcissi inside. The black flower supplies hot water while the white one, with cold water. 

After changing into fresh clothes we headed out to explore more of Paris. It had been raining the days before our arrival and there were classic black umbrellas waiting to be picked up at the concierge. The outstanding concierge team were also very helpful in sharing tips and recommendations from great restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. 

If you asked me what my favorite city in the world is, I could tell you in a heartbeat that it is Paris. Very typical answer, I know. But Paris is more than a city to me, its been a lifelong dream to live here. I blame it on my parents who first took me here at 2 years old. Then, again, at age 11 when my brothers and I stayed for the whole summer and walked around its pretty little streets. It was here in Le Septieme Arrondissement de Paris where we spent those beautiful afternoons and this is why I feel right at home here. 

Situated in the Rive Gauche of the Seine, Le Narcisse Blanc Hotel and Spa lies at the heart of the 7th district, which happens to be the most expensive area to live in Paris. La Grand Dame en Fer, or the Grand Iron Lady, more popularly known as the Eiffel Tower, is a short 18-minute walk away from the hotel’s door steps. The view of the tower is so close at the end of the street where the hotel is, so huge it looks like you can touch it. Other places such as Rue Cler, Avenue Montaigne, Musée Rodin, Les Invalides, Champs-Elysees are all less than 15-minutes walk from the hotel. Le Narcisse Blanc Hotel and Spa is also conveniently located close to La Tour Maubourg Metro Stop on Line 8 and Invalides Metro Stop on Lines 8 and 13, which can take you to the rest of Paris in minutes.

If those places are not enough to fill your days, there are also Instagram-worthy spots that are really close by and also walking distance from the property. Le Recrutement Café, located at the corner of Boulevard de la Tour-Maubourg and Rue Saint Dominique, a mere 71 meters away, is fast becoming popular because of it being the photo-ready quintessential Parisian café and the view of the famous tower. The Pont Alexandre III, the most grandiose and elegant bridge in the City of Lights, about an 8 minute-walk from the hotel, has become a background to many wedding photos.

After a full day of exploring, I said good bye to my friend and came back to my room and was pleasantly surprised. The turn down service not only turned the beautiful bedspread and stored the pillows neatly at the side of the room, it also left delicious sweets from the world-famous tea house, Angelina Paris. No question why the hotel chose to serve guests from this place as it was founded and became famous during Cléo’s Belle Époque era. 

I had to do some work during this last trip and was glad to have a writing area with a desk, and a very reliable wifi. The connection was so fast, and I was even able to have a great conversation through FaceTime with my family back home. Another thing that sets Le Narcisse Blanc Hotel and Spa apart from other hotels is that they lend you a pocket Wifi completely for free during your stay. Now that is something really important for international travelers like me who needs to stay connected to the internet all the time. Other things available upon request include power adapter, phone charger, toothbrush, shaving kit, ironing board and iron, baby bed, bottle warmer, or any other things you can think of. 

The following morning I woke up feeling very refreshed after a great night’s sleep. The bed was one of the comfiest beds I’ve ever slept in (I’m not even kidding and you can read the reviews on TripAdvisor yourself) and pillow selection is also accessible upon request. I started to get ready when I heard a knock on my door. It was my breakfast which I requested to be delivered to my room. Le Narcisse Blanc Hotel and Spa serves breakfast in your room at no extra charge. All you have to do is to fill out the order form and hang it on your room door handle before 2:00 am. They also ask what time you what it to be taken at your room so you can have it according to your preference. Otherwise, you can go to the hotel restaurant on the ground floor and enjoy breakfast buffet  or à la carte from 7:00 am to 11:00 am. Lunch is served from 12 pm to 2:30 pm, while dinner is from 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm. 

Champagne, beige and brown hues set the tone of the lovely Cléo restaurant. Large mirrors lined up the walls with medium lighting from white and gold hanging lamps. Chef Zachary Gaviller from Canada offers “contemporary and creative cuisine made from carefully selected and mostly organic ingredients.” The menus for both the restaurant and room service change with the season to allow to discover the chef’s gastronomic mastery. The cuisine is truly unique thanks to Gaviller’s homemade cured-meats and personal touch. Entrees start from 12€ and main courses start from 26€. The restaurant also features a small separate area for private events or meetings which can seat up to 10 people, aptly called The Library, with bookshelves on walls filled with leather-bound volumes. 

The hotel also features a fitness room with Technogym machines, a treadmill and exercise bike, massage and treatment rooms, sauna and hammam/steam room and swimming pool area. Unfortunately, the Spa was under renovation during my stay, but given it was one of the most pleasant spas in all of Paris and was immaculately beautiful, it is exciting to see what it’ll be like after the renovation. Among other things mentioned above, the hotel also offers  laundry, valet parking, and a 24-hour desk.

You may or may not have heard of this property due to limited promotion, by purpose. It’s a private little luxurious oasis in the center of Paris, with rare vacancies, favorite among high-profile celebrities. The hotel isn’t a big 5-Star palatial hotel. Le Narcisse Blanc Hotel and Spa is a cozy boutique hotel with true Parisian sophistication and elegance and 5-Star stellar service that makes you feel like you never want to leave.

Special thanks to Le Narcisse Blanc Hotel & Spa for hosting my stay. As always, all photographs and opinions are my own.