We recently spent a weekend at one of Paris’ newest hotels, Hotel Balzac. Opened in June 2024, this elegant addition to the Paris hotel scene did not disappoint. It’s located in the chic 8th arrondissement just steps from the Arc de Triomphe and is quintessentially Parisian with a modern twist.
The hotel was formerly a private mansion and has been beautifully reimagined by the Festen architecture firm. The result is simultaneously understated and glamorous, so much so that we felt like we could live in it. Much of the furniture is custom designed, but are also a lot of antique and vintage elements incorporated throughout, offering a Parisian warmth that’s the goal for our own interior decorating. At the same time, soaring ceilings in the guest rooms and a soft, neutral color palette lend to the spacious and airy vibe. The overall result is so clean and elegant.
The rooms are luxurious, with sumptuous French bed linens, Diptyque toiletries, impossibly fluffy bath towels, remarkable air conditioning, impressive espresso machines from the Swedish brand Sjostrand (check it out for your own house), and amazing mini-bars. Our room was stocked with a lovely selection of half bottles of various French wines, a complete assortment of spirits and pre-batched cocktails, a cocktail shaker, bar spoon, plenty of glassware, and a booklet of cocktail recipes that could be made in the room. For those who would rather leave the mixology in someone else’s hands, the hotel offers a gorgeous bar just off the lobby. Hotel Balzac also offered an exceptional welcome to our son, with a luxurious bed decorated with balloons and what quickly became one of his new favorite stuffed animals, Balzac the bear.
Breakfast is served either in the lobby or in your bedroom and for culinary enthusiasts, offers a selection of Angelina confections as well as their famous hot chocolate. If you’re a longtime reader of The Taste Edit, you’ll know we don’t wait in line for food experiences, so if your Paris plans include Angelina hot chocolate or dessert, we would say it’s worth booking a room at Balzac to avoid waiting in line at Angelina. You can enjoy a leisurely breakfast in peace or order it to your room.
Hotel Balzac is a two minute walk from the George V metro, just a few minutes farther from the Arc de Triomphe, and a few rooms otffer Eiffel Tower views. If convenience to major sights is important to you, its a great option. The restaurants in the immediate area are generally not to our preference, but the proximity to the Metro means you can get almost anywhere in the city in 15-20 minutes.
For recommendations on restaurants, get our Paris Black Book here. Finally, for a quiet escape from the busy Paris streets, the Japanese inspired spa offers a zen environment with a beautiful whirlpool and a range of spa treatments to unwind. If you’re looking for a brand-new, quintessentially Parisian escape, we highly recommend the Hotel Balzac.
Note: Hotel Balzac provided support for the reporting of this story.