La Fantaisie
Inspired by the natural world, La Fantaisie is a verdant, stylish boutique retreat in Paris’s village-like ninth arrondissement. At its centre is a stunning courtyard garden, visible from both the greenhouse-style windows of the showstopper restaurant and the urbane haven of the terraced rooftop bar.
The hotel combines the talents of Swedish design guru Martin Brudnizki and Breton-born Michelin-star chef Dominique Crenn, whose restaurant in San Francisco was the first in the US by a female chef to acquire three Michelin stars. Her meat-free menu fuses her French heritage with California influences to wonderful effect.
Nature is everywhere in this particular fantasy, with bold flower motifs in everything from lighting to wallpaper to upholstery. Even the restaurant boasts sunshine-yellow walls, floral brocade banquettes, conservatory-style chairs and a tree emerging from a central flowerbed.
The 63 rooms and 10 suites offer views of the garden or of Rue Cadet below. The underground spa features three treatment rooms, a sauna, hammam and four thermal pools. And the rooftop bar offers fabulous views of the Paris skyline, best enjoyed with one of Crenn’ s California-inspired cocktails in hand.
