Hotel Villa Marquis review: setting the scene for a playful stay in Paris

Perhaps it’s the extensive list of rom-coms that have been set in the city of love, or the scenes painted by the early 20th-century artists who treated the French capital’s streets as their studio, but there’s something about Paris that inspires a sense of playfulness.

And for those who lean towards the more theatrical side of life, Meliá Collection’s Hotel Villa Marquis offers a suitable backdrop for a city-break spectacle. Having reopened last June after an extensive refurbishment, the hotel has taken on its own new character – one dressed in luxurious velvets, with elegant rose gold embellishments.

Why stay here?

The location of Hotel Villa Marquis is certainly enviable, with its prime position on the edge of the city’s Golden Triangle between avenue Montaigne, avenue George V and avenue des Champs-Elysées. Given this, it’s no surprise that its interiors are designed with elegance and sophistication in mind, with rich colour choices and materials used to dress the newly-redesigned space.

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Architects and designers Álvaro Sans and daughter Adriana clearly embraced the French capital’s artistic side when renovating the hotel. The intimate reception area is somewhat beguiling, giving little hint as to the size of the establishment. With a total of 63 rooms, this is no small operation, but the smartly-conceived design gives a sense of traditional, cosy Parisian spaces mixed with a fresh, airy modernity.

With the lift typically Parisian – in that it errs on the claustrophobic side of small – some guests may choose to take the plush staircase to their chambers. The climb is worth the effort, and they’ll be rewarded with a sizeable room in which to recline and watch the world go by via floor-to-ceiling windows.

Comfort is a statement feature across Meliá Collection’s portfolio, and Hotel Villa Marquis is no exception. From the beds to the soft furnishings, robes and thoughtful design details, each room invites guests to make themselves at home and take advantage of a quiet space to relax in the non-stop city. The bathrooms are a real treat, with huge baths and waterfall showers – the perfect remedy after a long day strolling around the capital’s streets.

The theatrical undertones of the rooms are offset by technical diagrams and engineering drawings that pay homage to the industrial spirit of Paris and its monumental landmarks. Some guests need only to poke their head out of the window to marvel at perhaps the most famous…

Eating and drinking

Dos Almas is a new addition to the hotel – and a welcome one at that. For visitors who are tired of overpriced moules frites and steak tartare, this restaurant’s menu offers refreshingly authentic Spanish fare, including tapas sharing plates, meaty mains and the highly-recommended house sangria.

In collaboration with professional dancer Ruben Molina, diners are treated to an exclusive flamenco performance once a month. It was my first time seeing the traditional dance in the flesh and though I was initially a little sceptical, being some miles from the Spanish border, it was a delight to experience the dance and speak with Molina about how he has worked to bring the art form to Paris.

An extensive breakfast buffet is also served in the restaurant, and is sure to set guests up for a day for exploration and exertion.

If you’re going all out, the nearby three-Michelin-starred Epicure will deliver a “culinary experience to remember” – although “the 400-euro price tag per head will seem frankly absurd” if you are just dropping in for a quick meal, said The Telegraph. Le 39v offers a “refined but relaxed” alternative on avenue George V.

What to do

If you spot the sign in reception directing you to the underground gym, you’ll be rewarded with a small but well-equipped and stylishly designed workout spot. But if exercise facilities aren’t quite your idea of a fun time, then guests can play dress-up in the Golden Triangle’s unrivalled shops, offering what is surely among the world’s best haute couture.

And if the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe or Sacre Coeur aren’t quite providing you with the view you’re after, there’s only one thing for it: take to the sky. For a real adventure, Hotel Villa Marquis’s team are only too happy to arrange helicopter rides for guests, offering the unique opportunity to experience Paris from an aerial perspective.

Guests will be greeted with champagne and have the chance to chat with their pilot before strapping in and getting on their way. With a range of destinations available, there’s surely no city break activity that could be more memorable, nor hit all the right kinds of rom-com drama notes.

Once back on firm ground, be sure to venture out in the evening and see the Eiffel Tower light up on the hour. Given that it’s mere moments from the hotel’s front door, it’d be rude not to.

Rooms start from £260 per (B&B basis); melia.com