I arrived in Paris very early on a characteristically rainy morning in late September. I was there for Fashion Week, a six day marathon of runway shows, events, and meetings that is both exhilarating and exhausting. Respite is hardly ever on the agenda, but arriving at 1, Place Vendôme in those wee hours felt like some serenity might be awaiting me. The hotel is operated by the Swiss luxury watch, jewelry, and accessories brand Chopard, owned by the Scheufele family, and it’s situated above their flagship store on the famous Place Vendôme square. Nearby is The Ritz and dotted all around are some of the most iconic shops and ateliers in the world.
Pulling up to the front of the hotel, which officially opened at the end of last year, it took me a minute to realize exactly where the entrance was. There was no signage outside, just a sapphire blue door directly next to the entrance for Chopard. I walked in and was greeted by one of the loveliest porters I’ve ever met—kind, welcoming, soft-spoken, and incredibly unpretentious. The lobby looks more like the foyer of a townhome than a proper check-in area, all marble and gilding and anchored by a cylindrical elevator and winding staircase. There is also a fireplace and a necklace sculpture made with Murano glass beads by the artist Jean-Michel Othoniel.
Upstairs on the second floor, I found the official check-in, which I completed with another friendly staff member in one of the hotel’s intimate lounges. I was surrounded by mahogany velvet club chairs and sofas, as well as oak bookcases and mirrored and lacquered tables. There were design books dotting the space and newspapers lined perfectly on a ledge between the lounge and a more proper dining area. (They serve food late here, even room service, which is not the case at most Parisian hotels and restaurants.) A small bar sits at the back of the space and next to that, a cigar room. There’s also what the hotel calls its “winter garden”—a sitting area decorated with a skylight, deep green marble finishes, and a spectacular mosaic in earthy pastels depicting exotic flora and fauna.
Everything in 1, Place Vendôme is devastatingly glamorous, but the thoughtfully curated spaces and cordial staff make it feel warm as well. With only 10 suites and 5 rooms, the idea for the space, according to Hotel Director Amélie Allardon, was to “propose a new vision of luxury: timeless, human, simple, and humble.” She adds, “As in a family home, you discover each space one by one, feeling free to move around as you please.”
After finishing a much-needed latte on the second floor, I made my way up to my room. My heavy gold key, like something out of a storybook, gave me access to the Emerald Suite, where I’d be staying for two nights. The minute I walked in, I felt like I never wanted to leave. I was entranced by the Pierre Frey furniture and De Gourney fabrics and finishes, and by the flow of the room itself, which featured window seats and a small living room with a desk and couch. There was a charming walk-in closet connecting the bedroom and the bathroom, which featured crystal sconces in the shape of birds and sink handles made from hand-painted ceramic. It truly felt like my own personal little jewel box.
Indeed, despite the crowded streets just outside my windows, an aura of calm and quiet permeated both my room and the common spaces around it. I was able to work, to take a breath, to unpack, and feel like I’d come home to something familiar, even if it was unlike anywhere I’ve stayed before.
After two nights of blissful sleep at 1, Place Vendôme, it was time to check out. There was no rush to leave and I soaked up every last bit of what they had to offer: impeccable service, delicious food, serenity, and inspiring design, all situated above a boutique housing Chopard’s most precious jewels. While I was waiting for my Uber at the entrance, the porter who helped me when I arrived flashed a sweet smile and said, “Please come back and visit while you’re here.” I told him I might take him up on that, to which he replied, “We’ll be here waiting for you.” A hidden gem, indeed.
Cre: Harper’s Bazaar Magazine
