STAY: An Affordable Paris Hotel In The Heart Of Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Slick design is the order of the day in Paris’ Saint-Germain-des-Prés, one of the capital’s premier design districts. But newly opened Le Grand Hôtel Cayré, a Miiro hotel, is housed in the former Hôtel Cayré, where artists, intellectuals and writers once resided, so here, slick design comes with a healthy dose of creative flair.

Review: Le Grand Hôtel Cayré, Paris

The hotel opens into a chic wraparound bar flowing through to the restaurant, Annette, named in tribute to Annette Kolb, the French-German writer, pacifist and former hotel resident. Here, you’ll find the biggest draw, in a superlative menu featuring award-winning dishes. But more on this later, as we finish up our hotel tour, through the cosy hidden cocktail bar Officine Bac with its mirrored wall, gold-embellished statement wallpaper and plush jewel-toned velvet chairs, and The Gallery, a little lounge area perfect for working. Upstairs, there are 123 rooms and suites, designed in partnership with the interior design studio, Michaelis Boyd, Le Grand, from small and practical Classic rooms to Deluxe Eiffel Tower rooms and two suites, Le Grand Hôtel Cayré Suite and La Suite Du Collectionneur. Our Eiffel Tower-view room was compact but comfortable, with a brightly-lit bathroom, an enormous, comfy bed and a Juliet balcony from which to take in the Eiffel Tower and the winding streets of  Saint-Germain-des-Prés. 

La Chambre Deluxe

EAT

You’ll find classic French cuisine at Annette, with former head chef for Alain Ducasse and world œufs en meurette champion, Bruno Brangea, at the helm. It’s modern all-day brasserie-style eating, with several stand-out dishes that are worth a visit alone for. The egg starter, Œufs bio en meurette, was a 2020 World Championships winner, and the rich, red wine sauce and perfectly-poached eggs are to die for. Add a few slices of fresh baguette slathered in salted butter and you have a perfect lunch. But if you’re in for dinner, move on to one of the excellent mains, Normandy scallops with creamed butternut squash, or classic steak frites. The famous chocolate éclair from Hugo & Victor makes the ultimate treat dessert for pastry fans, or the rich chocolate mousse is big enough to share. An after-dinner cocktail in the speakeasy-style atmospheric Officine Bac finishes the night off perfectly. 

The Lobby at Le Grand Hôtel Cayré

DO 

Perfectly located just off the hustle and bustle of Boulevard Raspail and the commercial Rue du Bac, there is so much to see and do in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Let’s start with shopping, since it’s one of the city’s design hubs, with plenty of unique and flagship design showrooms, all your usual high-end designer boutiques, plus some independent shops and vintage treasure-troves to explore. It’s also a culinary hotspot and home to some of Paris’ favourite cocktail bars, not to mention the central location means you can reach the main sightseeing spots in 45 minutes or less on foot along the river. There is a well kitted-out gym on-site, but for hotel downtime our preference is to grab a glass of Cote-de-Rhone at the bar, head to your room and take in the glittering Eiffel Tower from your mini balcony. 

Le Grand Hôtel Cayré

THE FINAL WORD 

With rooms starting at £312 a night, chic city boltholes don’t come more reasonably priced than this. If you want to explore Paris on foot in style, this new Miiro outpost is one to have on your radar. 

BOOK

Rates from €360 / £312 per night, room only | miirohotels.com/legrandhotelcayre