The French capital's leafy 16th arrondissement has long been a favoured address for exclusive Paris hotels, from Grande Dame establishments to chic boutique stays. And now, the Saint James Hotel – a Laura Gonzalez designed landmark that epitomizes the Parisian hôtel particulier – has set the bar even higher. Housed in a historic building, it is emblematic not only of the neighbourhood's grandeur, but also of that cross-cultural, cross-creative je ne sais quoi that makes Paris, Paris.
In 1892, when the building was constructed, Saint James was a launching ground for hot air balloons and then became a foundation established by the widow of the French president Adolphe Thiers to support students; the building later transformed into a gentlemen's club.
Adorned with rich wood panelling and opulent velvet decor, the Saint James Club drew inspiration from the venerable tradition of London gentlemen's clubs. The French cultural and intellectual life thrived within the hallowed walls of the library and former study.
The greatest design stories from AD Middle East, delivered to your inbox
In 2011, the leading French hotel group Relais & Châteaux transformed the property into a boutique hotel. Since then, it has been reimagined by three creative geniuses: Andrée Putman, Bambi Sloan, and, most recently, Laura Gonzalez. The third designer to take the helm, Gonzalez has infused her overarching design concepts, vibrant colours, and intricate patterns, breathing new life into the Saint James Hotel.
Looking back at her design approach, she says, " I've known about the Saint James Hotel long before I worked on it. I was fascinated with architecture and its unique spirit. When you re-decorate an iconic building, you have to consider the structural elements because you can’t get rid of them or completely denature the building, which makes it interesting, its little nooks and columns and other particularities."
The new design highlights the existing neo-classical elements hidden in the buildings with contemporaneity. It deftly harmonises the Belle Époque, Hausmann and the Trad-Modern Parsian designscape; throughout the process, Gonzalez worked with local and regional artisans to ensure not only authenticity, but also support homegrown talent.
Contrasts, patterns, and maximalism have always been the designer's forte. At the Saint James hotel, geometric design and 18th-century floral motifs are paired with velvety textures, Versailles parquet and plush Op-Art carpets that accentuated the period details.
A rare Paris hotel – it is billed as the city's only chateau hotel – this exclusive getaway effortlessly intertwines a diverse spectrum of design styles: from art deco designs and classical Greek pediments, to Japanese influences in the furniture and enchanting wallcoverings that echo vintage illustrations of French winter gardens . These various elements harmoniously converge, weaving together a lush and intricate tapestry of design, all the while maintaining a sense of balance and never overwhelming the senses.
Gonzalez says, "Back when we embarked on this project, the Saint James hotel in Paris was my magnum opus, unburdened by constraints. I wanted visitors to feel transported to a realm outside the realm. I wanted to create a timelessness to space."
The property always had elements inherent to a hôtel particulier, but the new additions create a warm, comforting atmosphere that beckons the spirit of a collector's manor. Here, guests are immersed in books, art, and the stories of a fictitious traveller who brought back sculptures, paintings and artefacts from various parts of the world he journeyed to. Whether you're at the Bar Library or savouring exquisite cuisine at Michelin-starred chef Julien Dumas' Bellefeuille restaurant, these spaces are more than just about haute food and drink; they are sanctuaries for fellow wanderers.
The lobby is imposing and serves as the focal point, designed to be eye-catching with Atelier Roma frescoes adorning the two domes of the hall. The grand staircase features a patterned carpet that creates an optical illusion in a very William Morris manner.
No other city is more associated with romanticism than Paris, and the rooms at St. James firmly embrace the art de vivre of the Parisians. In warm tones, from soothing creams and greens to deeper browns, with pops of yellow and black, the rooms are furnished with custom-designed pieces and adorned with French craftsmanship, from chandeliers and upholstery to even the room numbers; everything was created exclusively for the Saint James hotel.
.jpg)
Gonzalez commissioned several craftsmen and artisans to do specific details of the project. The vintage pieces of furniture are from Puces de Saint-Ouen, Patrice Dangel sculpted plaster chandeliers, and Jean Rogers crafted custom-made sconces and vases. Pinton did the tapestries, and the wallpapers came from London-based Iksel. In the Guerlain Spa – where guests can enjoy Dédicace Guerlain, the signature treatment of the Saint James hotel – Greco-Roman details and a 15-metre long bas-relief by François Mascarello line the calming indoor swimming pool.
Surrounded by 50,000-square feet of gardens, this Paris hotel feels like a country resort hidden deep within the city. One of the most beautiful aspects of the property, and certainly one of landscape maestro Xavier de Chirac's finest works, it features a terrace restaurant set in a vibrant green gazebo that makes guests feel as though they are dining in the garden itself.
