Le Clos Medicis, Paris, France
Le Clos Medicis 3 Stars
This contemporary chic hotel is warmly unpretentious, where guests relax in the courtyard garden during warmer weather.
Hotel Overview
Review of Le Clos Medicis, by Isabel Clift
The Left Bank location is a big draw, but charming interiors and a laid back vibe make Le Clos Medicis a true gem. Occupying a traditional 18th-century building, this small and smartly put-together Parisian bolthole is just a stroll away from Notre Dame and Jardin du Luxembourg. The hotel itself is on a quiet side street, making it a chilled out escape from inner-city bustle.
The facilities
A snug, low-lit lobby is a popular hangout, with modern couches and low tables scattered about for lobby-lounging. Décor is soft and sand-coloured, with standout pieces of dark wood furniture played off exposed stone walls. There's a fireplace for cosying around, as well as a bar. Take drinks and breakfasts out to the tiny walled garden, where the flagstones, curly iron furniture and potted greenery feel pleasantly Parisian. There's no lunch or dinner but, with so many bars and restaurants in the area, you're never far from a hot meal.
The rooms
As expected for inner Paris, 38 rooms are comfy rather than colossal, but all have adequate enough space. Shabby-chic furniture is smart and low key, while Wi-Fi, minibars and cable TV are welcome perks. Bathrooms are clean and functional - standard rooms have shower stalls, but all others come with tubs. For a bit of extra charm, nab a room with intact original 18th-century ceiling beams. Those needing more wiggle-space can check in to the suite.
Facilities
Hotel Policies
Who stays here?
Families and guests looking for a quiet holiday stay at Le Clos Medicis.
Come for...
- Fireplace in winter
- Little garden courtyard in summer
- The triple room, for families with older children
Not Suitable for...
- Fans of open space - this hotel is intimate and cosy
Children
Children are welcome to stay at the hotel. They recommend the triple room to accommodate a family.
Eating in
No hotel restaurant, though Le Clos Medicis does provide a chic continental breakfast.
Reviews
Review of Le Clos Medicis, by The Hotel Inspector
The charming owner of this justly popular Left Bank hotel, Pascal Beherec, has departed for warmer climes, now living in Marrakech, where he has opened the luxurious Villa des Orangers. His Paris base, however, remains in the caring hands of his equally charming manager, and his hands-on staff, and, as a recent visit confirmed, continues to thrive. The ground floor, an artful mix of old and new, with split levels and curves giving a sense of style and space, has been further enhanced with comfortable seating. A wrought-iron balustrade separates the entrance from the sunken sitting area, where an exposed chimney with open fireplace is set between two chunks of original stone wall. The look is cool and contemporary, yet welcoming.
The rooms
Bedrooms and bathrooms are no more than adequate in size, but thoughtfully decorated, using mostly plain fabrics and contemporary, but comfortable furnishings. A programme of refurbishment is in constant operation, with a few rooms being redecorated each year. Bathrooms have terracotta floors, pretty ceramic tiles, and matching basins. The courtyard, where you can breakfast, has recently been improved.
Copyright Charming Small Hotels
Review of Le Clos Medicis, by Joanna Monkhouse
Le Clos Medicis is an intimate boutique hotel, excellently placed, within easy walking distance of the shops and restaurants that abound in the area where St Germain and the Latin Quarter meet in Paris, just off the Boulevard St Michel and next to the Luxembourg Gardens.
The facilities
The welcoming lobby in the boutique hotel has a roaring open fire in winter, inviting sofas and chairs, a small bar, newspapers and a bowl of apples. The garden provides a quiet place to relax during the summer months. Breakfast is served there, weather permitting, or in the small breakfast room, where a wide continental selection is offered, cleverly arranged on corner shelves to maximize space. An internet station is available to guests and operated with cards from reception.
The rooms
Rooms at Le Clos Medicis are compact but retain a sense of space - some feature high ceilings and old wooden beams. All have been renovated in the last couple of years in a modern, unpretentious style. The décor is simple yet sophisticated - rich colours in solid blocks using different textures for variety rather than patterns.
Furniture is limited to essentials - a comfortable bed (double in the classic rooms, queen-size/twin in superiors upwards), a narrow bureau and chair, minibar and TV. Those most recently renovated have built in flat screen TVs. A safe is housed in the small wardrobe which with the chest of drawers is perfectly adequate for a short break. On the walls, a large mirror and well chosen art or photos, stylishly framed.
Bathrooms feature rustic floor tiles and either a bath with shower attachment and a glass splash door, or a spacious shower. The boutique hotel is under the same ownership as Villa des Orangers in Marrakech, and whilst Le Clos Medicis is a boutique hotel on a simpler level, the stylishness and relaxed ambiance are evident at both.