Paris, Designed: A Stay at Hotel Lutetia and Beyond

A Return to the Familiar, with Fresh Perspective

Paris often feels like a place you already know. Even for first-time visitors, its icons, Eiffel Tower, Seine, croissants, are etched into the imagination. But returning with intention, slowing down, and looking past the surface reveals something far more interesting.

Galerie Vivienne in the early hours — intricate mosaic floors, quiet cafés, and the timeless elegance of one of Paris’s covered passages.

This visit to Paris was about rediscovering the city through design. From our base on the Left Bank, we explored with fresh eyes, guided less by landmarks, and more by moments.

Where We Stayed: Hotel Lutetia

Set in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Hotel Lutetia isn’t just a place to stay, it’s a piece of Parisian history. The hotel balances Art Nouveau legacy with modern refinement, offering the kind of aesthetic coherence that only comes from decades of quiet evolution.

A welcoming lounge space inside the suite at Hotel Lutetia — spacious, thoughtfully styled, and unmistakably Paris.

Inside, it’s luminous and layered. Murals, marble, stained glass, and curated design objects set the tone, but the space doesn’t feel over-styled. Instead, it invites you in. The room itself had a residential softness: monogrammed linens, thoughtful lighting, a private terrace that opened to the city beyond.

Marble, texture, and clean design — the bathroom at Hotel Lutetia offers understated luxury with a Parisian view.

From the welcome amenities to the quiet elegance of the lobby, Lutetia felt like a stay in step with its surroundings, very rooted, elevated, and beautifully composed.

An artful welcome at Hotel Lutetia — fresh flowers, fruit, and a signature chocolate sculpture echoing the hotel's iconic ship emblem.

At the time of our visit, Hotel Lutetia was independently operated. It has since joined the Mandarin Oriental group; a transition that feels wholly aligned with its refined design and elevated service. Fortunately, the architectural beauty, artful interiors, and standout amenities that made this one of the most memorable hotel stays I’ve had remain very much intact.

City Highlights: Timeless and Tactile

Paris rewards stillness. Some of our favorite moments came not from chasing down lists, but from simply walking through Saint-Germain, into Le Marais, along the bridges that cross the Seine. The city’s texture unfolds slowly: a corner café with perfect light, a bookstore tucked between florists, the clean lines of a gallery interior.

To deepen that perspective, we booked a private guided tour — tailored to our pace and interests, and led by someone who truly understood the layers of the city. It was equal parts history and design, revealing the city’s past and present through stories, spaces, and street corners we might have missed otherwise. It reminded us that even in a city as familiar as Paris, there’s always more just beneath the surface.

Late afternoon sun cuts across curved facades in the heart of Paris, just steps from Palais Royal.

Design is everywhere here, but not always where you expect it. It lives in the rhythm of balconies, the spacing of stone façades, the negative space between buildings. That’s what makes the city feel cohesive even as it constantly reinvents itself.

The Colonnes de Buren at Palais Royal — a playful, modern contrast set within classical colonnades.

Where We Ate (and Drank)

In a city that takes food seriously, it’s often the relaxed, everyday meals that stand out. From a simple breakfast of coffee and tartine to a late-night bistro dinner, Paris delivered the quiet kind of culinary magic it’s known for.

One of the most memorable evenings was at Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels, a wine bar tucked into a quiet corner of the 6th arrondissement. With low lighting, plush velvet seating, and a sharply curated wine list, the space felt both elevated and completely unpretentious. We shared small plates, refined, seasonal, and meant for lingering, and let the night unfold slowly, one glass at a time. It was the kind of experience that could only happen in Paris: intimate, well-paced, and subtly theatrical.

Later in the trip, we spent an evening at Crazy Horse, one of Paris’s most storied cabaret venues. Delightfully cheeky, visually dazzling, and impeccably choreographed, the show was both modern and rooted in tradition — a true Parisian experience. From the lighting design to the humor and precision of the performance, it felt like an insider’s night out: playful, polished, and unexpectedly unforgettable.

A striking hallway wall at Crazy Horse Paris, setting the tone before an iconic cabaret performance.

Each experience echoed a theme, rich in detail but never overdone. The food and nightlife, like the city, favored balance: flavor without fuss, atmosphere without pretense.

A Moment That Stood Out

One evening, after the city had exhaled from the day’s pace, we stepped onto the balcony of our room. The rooftops of Paris stretched quietly in every direction, dusky and soft.

A peek from the balcony reveals the intricate stonework that makes Paris architecture endlessly captivating.

It wasn’t a grand moment, but it felt like being placed gently inside the rhythm of the place. Sometimes, the view you remember most isn’t the one from a monument — it’s the one that meets you at eye level.

Why It Worked: Design as a Lens

Paris has always been about contrast — old and new, soft and sharp, restraint and indulgence. What made this trip resonate was its intentionality. Choosing a hotel that echoed the city’s spirit, walking without a fixed destination, letting detail guide the pace.

A picnic in Jardin du Luxembourg — champagne, pastries, and one of the most elegant backdrops in Paris.

For travelers who care about design, curation, and a sense of quiet immersion, Paris is endlessly rewarding, especially when experienced with space to notice.

Let’s Design Your Paris

Paris can be romantic, intellectual, indulgent ... or all of the above. If you're considering a trip, SMS Travel Studio can help design something that reflects your style, your rhythm, and your idea of the perfect Paris.