I am happy to share another luxury boutique hotel recommendation with you in Paris: the Hotel Monge, located in the left bank in heart of the 5th arrondissement. I am in love with the logo of the Hotel Monge which shows a hummingbird, whom I met many of during my travels in Costa Rica, and is my totem animal. Iridescent in color, the sweet little bird represents joy. It is dainty and beautiful, symbolizing courage, love, fearlessness, flexibility and adaptability.
The hummingbird is attracted to brightly colored flowers, and the decoration of the Hotel Monge was conceived as a journey into the heart of the Jardin des Plantes by designers Marie-Agnès Louboutin and Patrice Henry. The tropical theme continues on the wallpaper, displaying parrots and butterflies created by the Maison Deyrolle. When it comes to the unusual, Deyrolle is perhaps one of the more idiosyncratic shops in Paris. Deyrolle is a taxidermist that has been around since 1831, and the shop is famous with artists, photographers and filmmakers.
There is a really homely feel to the Hotel Monge, as if I was staying in a house rather than a hotel; there are only 30 rooms in the building total. The hotel went through a 15 month renovation, re-opening its doors in spring.
As the former 19th-century home of a family who once played a significant part in the artistic community, the décor is largely inspired by the district. The area around the hotel has evolved in close harmony with the literary world of books, as well as lithographs and souvenirs of journeys emblazoned with poetry.
My superior double room on the 5th floor is petite but perfectly formed, decorated in earth tones, luxury furnishings and silky bedding. There's a big balcony-style window giving a typically Parisian view of the Rue Monge. The gorgeous bathroom comes stocked with L’Occitane products and there's a beatuiful rain shower which has LED lights.
The hotel features a private hammam and has beauty treatment rooms that can can be privately booked in conjunction with Decleor. I was booked in for a facial, a real treat as the products are natural and botanically inspired, fusing the finest ingredients of nature with advanced cosmetic science. The facial consisted of cleansing, a light scrub, steam and extraction, a face massage, facial mask, shoulders and head massage. Pure bliss! It produces rapid results, immediately leaving my skin looking brighter and feeling super clean.
One of best way to explore Paris is by foot, especially when the sun is shining. The Hotel Monge is situated by some of the oldest streets of Paris, such as Rue Mouffetard and Place de la Contrescarpe, and is close to the Pantheon, Sorbonne and Saint-Germain-Des-Près. I can't speak highy enough of this hotel and recommend you stay there during your next trip to Paris.
