Hôtel Lulu

A former fashion editor who spent some time renovating and reselling apartments, Vanessa Scoffier has put her love of interior design to work in hospitality, opening Hôtel Henriette in Paris’s 13th arrondissement in 2014, at a time when there were few hotels like it in the capital. A small, unpretentious establishment, beautifully decorated (of course!) and furnished with vintage pieces. A discreet yet distinctly Parisian retreat, and it was precisely these same principles that guided her in creating her latest venture, Lulu, located just steps from La Closerie des Lilas, not far from the Jardin du Luxembourg. From the moment you arrive in the lobby, you feel as though you’re stepping into a loft that reflects Vanessa’s personality, with a mix of styles and eras: a 1970s sofa, a vintage fireplace, a piano, old château doors… The hotel’s 27 rooms, on the other hand, have been designed in a much more pared-back, almost monastic style, with earthy tones (khaki, brown and beige), a few vintage objects, and built-in headboards and bedside tables. The only departures from this minimalist aesthetic are the leopard-print carpeting in the corridors, colourful tiles in the bathrooms, and a gallery of family portraits at the top of the staircase. The major advantage? The building has dual exposure, as it is nestled between two streets. No bad views or inferior rooms here: abundant natural light and windows in every bathroom. As a tribute to the South of France and the Nice region where she grew up, Vanessa has added charming striped blinds. A return to the hotel’s roots: the building, which had long been a hotel, was once known as Hôtel de Nice, as evidenced by the initials on the iron railings. Lulu is not intended solely for tourists; Vanessa also hopes it will become a place frequented by local residents. Piano evenings are planned for Thursday and Friday nights, while the glass-roofed conservatory extending out onto the street is the perfect spot for a coffee, a daytime meeting or an evening cocktail.