The hotel
La Trémoille is a 10-minute walk from the Tuileries Gardens yet hidden on a quiet street off the beaten track, so getting away from the ever shifting crowds and noise in the heart of the city is easy. Built in 1883 as a private house, it became a hotel in 1923 and by the 1960s it was the place to go for jazz - both Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong have played in the piano bar. Le Louis bar and lounge, named after the famed jazz musician himself, is now the perfect location for a cocktail at the end of a hard day's shopping or sightseeing.
La Tremoille has the laid-back feel of a boutique hotel but lacks nothing in terms of glamour and comfort. Luxury beds and high ceilings play their part in taking this hotel a notch above the norm - even for a four-star hotel in Paris. In the Louis restaurant you can dine in style in the evening or more informally for a brasserie style lunch - and unlike most of Paris' restaurants, it's open all day, every day from 11am until 11pm. The welcome is friendly, the service impeccable and the location - c'est fantastique! Turn one corner and you have a superb view of the river and the Eiffel Tower, turn another and you have the most select shopping district in Paris. The Louvre, although not quite on your doorstep is just down the road, and the small bars and shops of the Left Bank are just a 20-minute stroll away.
The service at the hotel is discreet yet friendly, again not always the case in Paris. Nothing is too small a request for the staff who obviously take a real pride in working there. We stayed in a junior suite which comprised a seating area, luxurious marble bathroom with multi-jet shower and Molton Brown goodies and a separated alcove bedroom. There were two TVs complete with cable and a cordless keyboard which provided internet access through the TV so you could surf from the luxury of the bed and plan your day ahead in complete comfort.
The beauty salon
In the basement there is a small but beautifully formed salon and fitness centre with a wide range of beauty treatments, a sauna and even a personal trainer if you want one.
Where to visit
You can't avoid the shops in this part of the city with all the high end designer boutiques within a short stroll and the major tourist sites are easily accessed. However for something a little different I would jump on the metro and visit the Butte aux Cailles district just a 20-minute ride away. This has a village like feel to it with cobblestone streets and independent cafes and boutiques. Art Deco in style, it is historically a working class area but is now full of artists, making it an as yet undiscovered but pretty hip area to hang out in. For those on a budget Chez Gladines serves Basque food or take afternoon tea at L'Oisive Thé.
The damage
La Trémoille is definitely not a hotel for those on a budget break. The double superior rooms start at 630 euros, but visit the website for special offers and best available rates, which can be considerably less depending on the season. All prices include taxes and service charges. Set menus in the restaurant start at around 25 euros. Hotel La Trémoille, 14, rue de la Trémoille, 75008 Paris, France.
How to get there
We hopped on the Eurostar at London's St Pancras station and in a little over two hours we were in Paris. Eurostar operates 19 daily services from St Pancras and return fares start at £59. Tickets are available at www.eurostar.com or call 08705 186 186. For a touch of additional luxury a Leisure Select ticket gives extra-roomy onboard accommodation, complimentary newspapers and magazines, full drinks service and a three-course meal.
It's worth adding that traveling by Eurostar is carbon neutral at no extra cost to the traveler - details of this can be found on their website.
See more travel ideas
