Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WATCH THIS SPACE
rue du Bourg-l'Abbé, 3e; ; Étienne Marcel or Rambuteau)
promises to be an amazing
place to stay. Its past, after all, is mythical. Built in 1885 as thermal baths, it was a
place where Marcel Proust et al hung out over a Turkish, Russian or sulphur bath. In
1978 the baths shut and the Bains-Douches nightclub opened, much to the joy of
David Bowie, Mick Jagger and a host of other world rock stars and celebs who fre-
quented the iconic joint. In 2011 the nightclub shut, paving the way for its magnifi-
cent renaissance as a 'chic, inventive, transcultural, historical' and absolutely amaz-
ing place to stay.
Bastille & Eastern Paris
DESIGN HOTEL
MAMA SHELTER
89; ; 76, Alexandre Dumas or Gambetta)
Coaxed into its zany new incarnation by uberdesigner Philippe Starck, this former car park
offers what is surely the best-value accommodation in the city. Its 170 super-comfortable
rooms feature iMacs, trademark Starck details like a chocolate-and-fuchsia colour scheme,
concrete walls and even microwave ovens, while a rooftop terrace and cool pizzeria add to
the hotel's street cred.
The only drawback? Mama Shelter is a hike from both central Paris and the nearest metro
stop, but bus 76 from the centre via place de la Bastille drops you at the door.
HOTEL
HÔTEL DE LA PORTE DORÉE
€91-105, tr €133; ; Porte Dorée)
A few blocks inside the bd Périphérique ring road and footsteps from the Porte Dorée metro
station, this country-manor-style hotel is as family-friendly as you'll find, with crayons and
paper at reception, toy boxes in the rooms and the beautiful Bois de Vincennes right nearby.
Some of the 43 hardwood-floored rooms have period fireplaces.
HOTEL
HÔTEL DU PRINTEMPS
