In the spate of five-star hotel openings in Paris in the past few months with lots of pomp and circumstance, Le Damantin has subtly taken its rightful place with its understated luxury and tranquil but convenient location.
The former Louis XIIl-style mansion with a handsome brick and limestone facade was built in the late 19th century for Charles Ferry, a Parisian businessman and politician. The property was developed into a hotel in 2019 by owners Anne Foucher and Angel Mari, who meticulously oversaw the renovation with a hands-on approach to achieve their desire of providing their guests with a high level of luxury and comfort.
We were welcomed to the hotel for a visit last month by Charlotte Ihermet, the sales and marketing director ([email protected]). The lobby has a series of intimate public rooms, including a bar, two small dining rooms, sitting room and a courtyard terrace with luxe outdoor tables and chairs for food or drinks, all which give more of a feel of being in a chic Parisian home rather than a hotel. The owner Anne Foucher is also the interior designer of the Le Damantin and the contemporary design is a mix of elegance with comfort in mind with a palette of dark neutral colors such as charcoal and off white along with splashes of vibrant yellow and bold blue.
Forty rooms measure between 195 and 350 square feet and there are two junior and two full size suites, with the largest at close to 1000 square feet. Rates are quite reasonable, starting at €410 (approximately $473) and the largest suite for €1,100 (approximately $1,270) per night, considering the caliber and quality of the property. The Abel Ferry room on the sixth floor is unique with its porthole windows and unparalleled views of the city and the Eiffel Tower and the largest suite, the Jules Ferry, with two bedrooms and two full bathrooms, sleeps five and is ideal for families. Amenities in all rooms include rain showers, Hermes toiletries and bath products, Nespresso machine, and 49-inch LED television.
We savored a wonderfully executed lunch of a light, eggplant gratin, a decadent house made gnocchi with lobster and truffles, and for dessert we opted for chef’s specialty dessert, tarte Tatin.
Given its size, the hotel has a significant sized spa usually found in the larger scale palace hotels of Paris with a 45-foot length, indoor swimming pool surrounded by marble floors and crystal, single and double treatment cabins, sauna, steam room, and gym. Spa treatments such as Balinese, hot stone, and shiatsu massages, and a Supreme anti-aging facial are by the prestigious Terraké wellness brand, dedicated to biotechnology in skin care products.
The location of the hotel is a key element, as it’s on a quiet street facing the Seine River but within five to seven minutes walking distance to the top fashion boutiques, restaurants, and significant sites such as the Champs Elysees, Ave. Montaigne, the premiere street for French and Italian designer shops, the Grand Palais exhibition space, and the Petit Palais Museum. Another five-star hotel that just opened claims to be the only hotel overlooking the Seine, however several rooms at Le Damantin also have direct views of the Seine.
Visit www.ledamantin.com.
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