Hotel Alfred Sommier Opens in Paris

Hidden behind a private courtyard in the 8eme, just a short walk from Opera Garnier, La Madeleine, and the grands magasins, is the latest five-star hotel to open its doors in Paris, the Hotel Alfred Sommier. A former hotel particulier, the property was once the Parisian home of 19th century French businessman Alfred Sommier, who made his riches in the sugar industry. It now belongs to one of Sommier’s descendants, Richard de Warren, who has transformed the mansion into an independent hotel, offering guests the unique experience of staying in an authentic 19th century Parisian family home. Boasting 80 luminous rooms and suites, including the option of your own private terrace, the décor is elegant but luxurious, with shades of soft cream accentuating the hotel’s original marble features and gilded gold. The palatial suites are particularly opulent; the Suite Alfred Sommier is not only the most spacious but also the most magnificent, while the Suite Vaux-le-Vicomte pays tribute to the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, bought and restored by Sommier and considered to be one of the most beautiful privately owned châteaus in France. In contrast, the classic double rooms offer a more contemporary feel, with simple white walls providing a clean backdrop for highlights of bold blue and bespoke artwork, whilst still respecting the mansion’s original design details, such as Hungarian-style wood floors, exposed beams, painted trumeaux, and ornate decorative fireplaces. Downstairs the restaurant will be overseen by chef Franco Miotto, offering seasonal products and classic fare such as club sandwiches, burgers, and steak tartare. Guests can choose to dine under the glass covered conservatory, enjoy a drink in the bar, or take advantage of access to the mansion’s large private courtyard, which even without the gilded gold of the hotel, is a treasure to find in the heart of Paris. Alfred Sommier Hotel, 20 rue de l’Arcade, 75008 Paris http://www.alfredsommier.com