Hotel de NELL, Paris

Jacques Konckier and his daughter Lisa are both great lovers of art. So it is no surprise that they chose Paris’s 9th arrondissement – a quarter famed for being eclectic, artistic and intellectual – as the location for Hotel de NELL. Konckier’s passion for design, hospitality and culture is evident throughout the property, where authentic surroundings turn simple into charming. The serene street on which the hotel is located is surrounded by an abundance of restaurants, bars, shopping and theaters – including the Grands Boulevards shopping area, the Palais Garnier Opera House, and France’s largest auction center, Drouot.

Architect Jean Michel Wilmotte’s architectural firm Wilmotte & Associés SA, who led the interior design, took the facade of the 19th century building and helped restore it to its immaculate former glory, with a white palette that carries on from the exterior through to the rooms and common spaces.

Inside, distinct features such as French pavement in the entrance, natural wood panelling in the corridors and rooms, long roaring fireplaces and retro lighting, lend the minimal interiors a coziness and authenticity. The 33 rooms and suites are stark, yet warm, with large floor rugs, a mix of light and dark wood, the integration of natural light, and Japanese-style inspired bathrooms in pure white marble.

In La Régalade, the hotel’s bistro, the décor mirrors that of sophisticated French fare. Here, one of France’s leading chefs, Bruno Doucet believes that food trends are steering back to the basics, with a focus on well-prepared and simple dishes, rather than elaborate and over worked cuisine.

The design of the restaurant follows this same theory – with clean lines, block concrete walls, and flowing ceiling curtains – letting the honest food take center stage.