Hotel Pergolese by Jamie Dunford Wood

The Hotel Pergolese is an off-the-beaten track hotel near the Arc de Triomphe and just beyond the Champs Elysees was the first design hotel in Paris, opened in 1991. Though overtaken in the fashion stakes by recent entrants, it still boasts its original Starck tables (from before Starck became a cliche), with Hilton McConnico paintings and carpets.

The rooms
The 40 rooms boast modern art-deco style furnishings, under the direction of the Hermes designer - what we might label bright Ikea style - pale wood, pale grey carpeting, bucket chairs and original photographic prints on the walls. In the early 90's Ikea was not yet a household name, and design meant bright and functional.

Bathrooms look a bit dated now, old-fashioned with a designer makeover (stainless steel bowls etc) - but they are large in the superior rooms. The 'Pergolese' room has a glass diving wall to the bathroom, and is much requested by honeymooners. There is Wifi throughout. All in all, a good value hotel for those who can't or don't want to afford the rates of trendier places.

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