Pull up to this hotel and you feel like you’re in an industrial park. But. It’s just a 10-minute Uber to the centre of town, and what you lose in centrality, you gain in views. They are absolutely incredible here.
The Hotel
They say this is Paris’ third highest building (the hotel is in one of Jean Nouvel’s Duo Towers), and one of the city’s tallest skybars.
The Vibe
Here, there is really no lobby culture: there just isn’t room, which is a real change for Starck. But head up to the 25th and 27th floors, and you’ll see a lot of the old Starck you’re used to in the common areas. Oversized chairs, Surrealism-influenced paintings, billiards tables (well, here, it’s refreshingly air hockey). Reception uniforms are jumpsuits, and the TOO branding is quite playful. Overall, this feels like an upbeat business hotel by day, and more of a hotspot by night. The hotel was full but we couldn’t quite get a feel for who stays here; it was a real mix.
The Rooms
All rooms have views (Eiffel Tower, downtown, Seine), and they are very well equipped. For tech, there are USB and easy-to-use light switches on both sides of the beds, as well as takeaway cups for coffee, a fridge with water, and UberEats recommendations. They’re quite minimal, but there are also a few ‘Stark of yesteryear’ touches, like a random, mini tooth-like stool; some suites even have a show-stopping Narnia-esque mirrored closet that opens into a bathroom with a tub that has panoramic views – stay in for a night well spent; the Eiffel Tower gazing from here is truly mesmerising.
Restaurants/ Bars
The TacTac Skybar is special. They say it’s one of the highest in Paris, and they have DJs on weekends, and outdoor seating in warmer weather. Book a table and have dinner; the menu is Japanese inspired and excellent. We hear the sunset up here is amazing, too; in fact, it seems like the sunset would be great from most rooms here.
Wellness
They have a small gym, outdoor jacuzzi, sauna, and a few treatment rooms.
Highlights
The Jean-Nouvel building is a masterpiece. The views are outstanding. It feels like you’re in a bubble here, with no pressure to leave the hotel – in Le Marais, the streets call out to you, but here in the 13th arrondissement, not so much – which is a nice change. The prices here are low for Paris, too. We’d come back just to use the tub with views.
Anything Else
It’s close to the concert stadium, so it’s a good choice if you have tickets to a show. The breakfast ends early, at 10:30AM; we say use the in-room delivery form, and have it brought to you.