Hôtel Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg

One of the two buildings is an authentic 18th-century mansion, the kind of townhouse the French call a hôtel particulier. Its neighbour on rue Boissy d'Anglas has a different pedigree: before becoming part of the hotel, it served as the headquarters of Marie Claire magazines.

Inside, the lobby is sunny and open, lit by vast skylights that run nearly the length of the ceiling; the MICHELIN Guide sets it against the more typical Parisian lobby, which it calls little more than a desk at the foot of a staircase. The Guide finds the hotel attractive and its décor bright and calm, bringing a touch of Zen to interiors that are otherwise traditionally opulent. What sets it apart, in the Guide's view, is its discretion: for all its central position, it is the sort of place where even a film star could go unrecognised.

Fashion runs through the house, which the hotel presents as an invitation into the Paris of luxury and fashion. Photographs adorn the walls along the path from the bar up to the apartments, a collection of fashion books is kept for guests to browse, and the hotel hosts fashion exhibitions and events.

The MICHELIN Guide lists the hotel, at 15 rue Boissy d'Anglas, in the 8th arrondissement's Champs-Élysées/Madeleine neighbourhood, beside the United States embassy and quite near the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay, as well as Cartier and Hermès. Place de la Concorde and the Madeleine are a few steps away, and the Jardin des Tuileries, the Champs-Élysées and Place Vendôme are all within a short walk.

Across the road is the Buddha Bar, and the Hôtel de Crillon is also nearby. Higher up, the Appartement Couture on the 7th floor looks over the rooftops of Paris to the Sacré-Cœur in the distance, and the hotel suggests taking a drink there as the sun goes down.

The entry point is the Chambre Supérieure, a 20 m² room with a queen-size bed for two. The Chambre Luxury adds space at 25 m², with a queen or king bed, and the Chambre Luxury Twin offers the same size with two single beds; both are accessible. The Chambre Luxury Premium, at 30 m², brings a king-size bed and a sitting area, and sleeps up to four.

The Junior Suite, at 35 m², overlooks the garden and includes a living area with its king-size bed; it sleeps up to four. The Suite Collection, 40 m² and accessible, combines contemporary chic with 18th-century style and sleeps two. The Suite Prestige, at 45 m², has a separate living room and what the hotel calls a luxury couture spirit, while the 50 m² Suite Opéra blends contemporary Parisian chic with 18th-century style; both sleep up to four.

For families and groups, the Suite Faubourg has 66 m² with two separate bedrooms, one king and one queen, plus a living room, for up to six; the hotel describes it as embodying a Haute Couture spirit. The Appartement Couture, which the hotel calls an Art Deco pied-à-terre, occupies the 7th floor of a former hôtel particulier, with 100 m² for up to five guests.

The apartment has balconies, a dining room for receiving guests, a desk for work and its own hammam. Its bedroom, in the hotel's words, features light tones and voluptuous materials, and breakfast can be taken in bed.

Maison Blossom is the hotel's traditional French restaurant, with a warm dining room and a green, intimate patio that the hotel describes as a refuge where locals and visitors meet over French food. In fine weather, the hotel adds, the patio becomes one of the most sought-after terraces in Paris, and the terrace is heated. Lunch runs from 12:00 to 14:30 and dinner from 19:00 to 21:30, Monday to Friday, with lunch only on Sunday from 12:30 to 14:30. The wine list pays tribute to French terroirs, with small producers and sustainable vineyards, many of them certified organic or biodynamic.

Maison Blossom's cocktail list is the work of the mixologist Matthias Giroud, co-founder of L'Alchimiste, and includes low-alcohol and alcohol-free creations; among the must-tries is the Douce France, made with verbena-infused muscat. Pastry chef Shereen Khelif works through French patisserie classics, including a signature soufflé. Every Sunday, Sunday Brunch Blossom brings classic dishes and indulgent desserts, such as a cheesecake and a signature brookie to share, with a selection of lattes and house-made sweets.

Le Bar du Faubourg, also designed by Didier Gomez, is open every day from 12:00 to 23:00 and has a sunny terrace on rue Boissy d'Anglas. The hotel calls it an essential meeting place of the Faubourg Saint-Honoré, and it covers lunch, chic snacks, afternoon tea, after-work tapas and evening cocktails in an atmosphere dedicated to fashion. Aurélie Bourre crafts couture-inspired cocktails, and Shereen Khelif adds signature desserts for a sweet break or afternoon tea.

The breakfast buffet is served in Maison Blossom from 06:30 to 10:00 on weekdays and from 07:00 to 11:00 at weekends and on public holidays. The hotel builds it on organic, seasonal ingredients and artisanal, farm-fresh produce, with a featured fruit each month, house-made dishes and pastries, detox juices and a gluten-free corner, while Chef Christophe Chottin adds signature dishes such as his French toast; in fine weather it can be taken on the patio. Le Bar du Faubourg serves its own Parisian breakfast of a hot drink, fresh fruit juice and a pastry daily from 09:00 to 11:00, in what the hotel calls a chic, hushed atmosphere, and breakfast can be ordered to the room at any hour of the day or night. Throughout the day, La Haute Croissanterie Nespresso offers three coffee and croissant pairings.

The spa brings together a hammam, fitness facilities, relaxing treatments, beauty rituals and expert hairdressing, and its fitness centre is open 24 hours a day.

For exercise outdoors, the concierge can suggest jogging routes through the Tuileries Garden or along the Seine, which the hotel counts among the neighbourhood's exceptional sites. The hotel also keeps two electric bikes for guests, and its Paris by electric bike experience pairs them with suggested itineraries.