It doesn't matter if it rains or if it's windy. Nor if the sun is shining or if there is constant hustle and bustle around. Paris excites in every possible way. In summer or winter, but especially in spring, when the city radiates a special light and its gardens and parks show their best side. In the desire to (re)discover the city of light, we take as our base of operations The One Alma Paris, the new hotel from the luxury urban division of The One by H10 Hotels chain, a haven of peace with a privileged location just a few minutes' walk from the Eiffel Tower and a pleasant stroll from the Musee D'Orsay. Whichever way you turn, the city looks inviting.
We find ourselves on rue Cognacq-Jay, in the elegant district of the rive gauche of Paris, surrounded by stately buildings with large windows. The street name has its history. The marriage of Ernest Cognacq and Marie-Louise Jay, creators of the famous department store La Samaritaine, gives the street its name. They, as the hotel director tells us, made it a condition when they donated part of their legacy to the city that no shops or stores should open on their street in order to maintain the tranquillity they so much enjoyed.
The hotel that now occupies numbers 10 and 12 on the street would surely have been to their liking. Comfort, elegance, and luxury service could be the hallmarks of the place, where an imposing staircase and a Murano lamp welcome guests. The art deco style envelops the spaces around the reception, where practically all team members speak—or at least try to speak—Spanish.
Before heading up to the room, enjoy a glass of sparkling wine or a creamy coffee in the Lobby bar, where a fireplace is never missing in winter. This is the perfect space for a relaxed conversation after exploring the Le Marais neighbourhood or following the course of the Seine at a leisurely pace. Amidst all this relaxation, do not miss admiring some of the artworks hanging on the walls; there are original pieces by artists such as Jan Voss, Jean-Pierre Pincemin, or Czesaw Zuber.
If the Cognacq-Jay couple were to stay at The One Alma Paris, they would undoubtedly choose the Eiffel Suite, 70 square meters with views of the city's most iconic tower. They offer a wide variety of rooms, ranging from superior to family options for travelling with the troupe. By the way, when visiting—and the obligatory ascent of—the Eiffel Tower, do it at sunset. The view from the highest floor that can be visited—276 meters out of the 330 it measures—allows you to see the Arc de Triomphe, Sacré-Coeur, or the Montparnasse Tower.
If you are planning to travel to the city soon, book your tickets in advance on the website to enjoy the exhibition Renoir and Love. The happy modernity hosted by Musee D'Orsay, focusing on the first 20 years of the Impressionist painter's career. When you leave, keep walking until you reach Saint Germain des Prés, one of the most charming neighbourhoods in Paris. Beyond the classic cafes Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore, its streets are home to small shops and art galleries that are a temptation to get that desired souvenir.
Back at the hotel, you may feel like relaxing in the hammam and sauna, pampering yourself with one of the massages—by appointment—or opting for some strength training in the gym—open 24 hours—or simply stretching your muscles after a day where the number of steps taken probably exceeds five digits.
The day starts and ends on the hotel's covered terrace, surrounded by the charm of the neighbouring rooftops. At Le Sommet Rooftop Lounge, located on the seventh floor, breakfast is served with freshly baked pastries and made-to-order omelettes. Undoubtedly one of the best moments of the day. In the evening, the setting transforms for dinners with dim and intimate lighting. Time to toast to all the good energy that a weekend in the French capital brings.