Boutique Parisian hotel Nuage has been described as a place to “decompress, dream and meditate”. It even has its own cinema. Olivia Palamountain reports
Mon dieu! We just can’t get enough of Paris. The French capital was the most booked European city in 2022, says data from Virtuoso, and it is currently the number-one city in the world for leisure stays this year.
Reflecting this success is an outrageous number of new and notable hotel debuts, from boutique cutie Maison Mère and future-retro five-star Madame Rève to grande dame in the making, St James Paris and Art Deco jewel, Hotel Rochechouart.
While openings come thick and fast and tourists rush to Paris, Nuage, a boutique hotel in the 8th arrondissement, wants guests to take their time.
The hotel underwent an extreme makeover last year under the eye of designer and artist-owner Olivier Breuil, transitioning from the decent but dated Hotel Elysées Mermoz into the swan we see today.
Also intrinsic to the rebrand was a commitment to eschewing showy extravagance in favour of an “all-new luxury”, one with an eco-responsible vision of the hotel industry and that champions local artisans and suppliers.
The result is thoughtful, soothing and intimate. Put it this way, romance is certainly not dead in the city of amour; when I landed at Nuage it was love at first sight.
Rates start from around £200 per night, which is extremely reasonable for a Parisian hotel full stop – and especially one of this calibre.
A warm and inviting lounge, christened with art and travel books, beckons guests to linger over coffee or a glass of wine, elevated each afternoon by a gâteau du jour that graces the bar.
Upstairs are 27 ethereal rooms and suites. I stayed in a luminous Deluxe street view room, decked out with a cute sofa-banquette area, with a separate loo and bathroom that featured both a shower and a bath.
Heritage Parisian buildings aren’t exactly renowned for their thick walls, so particular attention has been paid to sound insulation; a troupe of excitable Saturday night street revellers aside, I didn’t hear a peep from anyone.
Oh, and all dietary requirements are catered for. Last time I heard of a tourist ordering an oat milk latte in a Parisian café, the answer was a resolute “non”. Nuage is happy to be more flexible, with a selection of plant-based milks propping up breakfast bar, and gluten-free pastries and cereals available on request.
Adjacent to the dining space is a squishy private cinema room where you’ll find a wide selection of cult movies and classic titles across every genre.
A special kids’ screening, complete with traditional cinema treats such as sweeties and ice cream, is available upon request.
There’s no way anyone travels to Paris to stay put in their hotel, but siren Nuage is more than capable of ensuring you remain in its embrace. Should this happen, fear not – a room service menu is available until 11pm.
Featuring the likes of wholesome poke bowls, seasonal vegetable soups, cheese plates, chicken rolls and tortellini, you’ll be well fed if by some crazy chance you haven’t already eaten yourself silly on the streets of Paris.
Nuage seduces and delights at every turn; there can be no finer stay in the French capital to rest your head in the clouds.