Hotel Duo

Hotel description

Nothing completely new ever really opens in the center of Paris — but the newly expanded, heavily renovated and recently renamed Hotel Duo is about as close as it gets. Previously the Axial Beaubourg, the Duo has had a makeover at the hand of the modern architect and interior designer Jean-Philippe Nuel — and now the fashion-conscious traveler (aren’t we all) has another spot in the Marais to call home.

The style is nothing too outré — in Paris even the most modern hotels have more than a tinge of the classic to them. Above all the look is contemporary, elegant and highly composed, with plenty of the building’s classic character showing through, along with some thoughtful modern luxuries, like the all-new black-and-white bathrooms.

Downstairs there’s a smart little cocktail bar, and a cozy lounge, where breakfast is served in front of the “virtual chimney” (a video screen where the fireplace ought to be), and new additions include a sauna and a fitness room. As for the location, it’s hard to find fault — don’t tell the fashionistas, but this place is perfectly placed for tourists, with easy access to the Louvre, the Centre Pompidou, and the best of walking Paris.