Local 101 Beaurepaire

There are neighbourhood bars, but also neighbourhood hotels, such as Local 101 Beaurepaire, Paris. Here, locals gather at the bar or settle down for dinner on a Monday evening beneath the cheeky, cabaret-red glow of a neon sign (a genuine old-school piece by Alexis Néons). It is answered by another neon sign, illuminating the façade with the elegant lettering “Le Beaurepaire”. The place is compact, and so is its lift. Tiny, it strikes passing Americans as something of a Parisian curiosity. All the same, this little elevator valiantly serves all six floors and the 40 rooms, none particularly large, decorated in neutral tones. The Socialite Family lighting in some, Jieldé lamps in others: a touch of Parisian titi or French flair, depending on your perspective. The icing on the cake? Frédéric Malle toiletries, a rare luxury in a three-star hotel. Alma Brémond was determined to have them. This young French-Icelandic woman, who grew up and studied in the United States, has borrowed a few of the codes of luxury hotels. Yet she knew nothing about the hospitality business before taking over a hotel in Reykjavik in 2023, followed by this one in 2026. Her partner, David Siklos, was equally inexperienced. Together, they decided to make the welcome guests receive their top priority. A genuine welcome, with a smile that is not merely put on but heartfelt. Alma's grandfather, Gérard Brémond (who passed away in 2026), founder of the Pierre & Vacances group and the Avoriaz ski resort, also offered her advice. She did not follow all of it, preferring to take over old buildings rather than construct new ones, as he so loved to do. Alma has shown him another way, leading to this “beautiful hideaway” that he now looks down upon from above.