The 15-Minute Vacay: Paris Edition

Paris…

Possibly my favorite city on the planet, I can’t wait to visit again.

Paris, paired with London, was originally on my 2020 travel schedule for our Thanksgiving/Mr. A birthday celebration trip. I’m not at all confident that will end up happening this year, so I’ll have to just keep dreaming of my favorites and crossing my fingers that they’ll be able to recover and reopen.

What are those favorites? Paris has no shortage of amazing hotels, ranging from the grand palace hotels (Rosewood Crillon, Ritz Paris, Four Seasons George V) to tiny luxury gems (Esprit Saint Germain, JK Place Paris, Cour des Vosges) but my heart will always belong to the quirky boutique, of which Paris has an abundance.

Two of those quirky boutique hotels that I love the most are Hotel des Grands Boulevards and Les Bains Paris.

Both have terrific locations - Hotel des Grands Boulevards is equally close to the grand department stores of Galeries Lafayette and Printemps and the delightful Marais shopping. It’s also a super close walk to two of my favorite Paris dining experiences, Verjus and Frenchie Bar a Vins; not to mention they have amazing food and cocktails onsite (they’re owned by the parent company of Experimental Cocktail Club, also in the same neck of the woods).

Les Bains, on the other hand, is located smack in the middle of the Marais. Even if I’m not staying there, I’ll pop in for a drink in the middle of the day - their lovely large bar and delightful bartenders will help me take a load off shopping-wearied feet. I’ll clearly be stopping by my favorite concept shop/boutique, Merci, to pick up small gifts and household items, and may breeze into Jerome Dreyfuss, my favorite handbag/pouch/wallet brand on the planet.

So there we go, Paris…I’ll see you again soon. I’ll laze around your parks and read; I’ll visit my favorite works in your Louvre and Museé d’Orsay but will spend hours browsing your smaller museums. I’ll dedicate a morning to trying the best croissants in the city and at least two meals to investigate your great burger joints.

And while I’m waiting, I’ll take a virtual stroll around Paris viewing some of your amazing street art. Á bientôt, Paris.