Serotel Suites Opera ★★★★

Whether its strolling hand-in-hand and window-shopping down the Faubourg St Honoré, locking a symbol of your love on the Pont des Arts, or gazing out at the glittering City of Light from the iconic Eiffel Tower, for most visitors, Paris is characterised by romantic clichés. For locals, however, it’s a vibrant, dynamic city, with much more to offer than just photogenic attractions and cookie-cutter chain hotels. For a more original, authentic experience of Paris, check into the Serotel Suites in the stylish 9th arrondissement.

There’s something irresistible about returning to your own apartment when you’re enjoying a longer stay somewhere. You can truly relax: flick the TV on as you cobble together some dinner with produce fresh from a nearby market, and settle on the sofa with a glass of wine before bed. There’s something about staying in a hotel that necessitates good behaviour; at the Serotel Suites, the playful, upbeat ambience allows guests to unwind as they wish.

Predominantly neutral, in creams and blonde wood, the furniture is Scandi-style simple, allowing bold patterned walls, splashes of bright pinks and blues, and sumptuous soft furnishings to stand out. I had treated myself to a Privilege Suite, and was pleased to discover, after an effortless check-in by a friendly, capable member of the concierge, that my room was as comfortable and stylish as the public spaces. The kitchen space isn’t big at all, but it is functional, coming with a limited range of kitchenware, a Nespresso coffee-maker, microwave and hob. I was quite taken with its bold pink-lacquered cupboards, which brightens the otherwise neutral living room. The sofa was deep and quite comfortable, and as I made myself an espresso I switched on the flat-screen and caught up on the news.

My bedroom is decorated in a typically Parisian contemporary style, with ashy blonde wood offsetting crisp white, sumptuous linens and brightly patterned cushions in turquoise and green. It is plain, but practical. The one design feature I didn’t quite “get” was the bizarre, stone-patterned linoleum floor. I’d recommend requesting a room with carpet: the grey floors rendered my blue-themed room quite cool. Nevertheless, once unpacked, I settled into the cosy queen-size bed for a restorative nap, waking quite some time later to the sound of the TV still chattering away.

Once I had freshened up in my bathroom – equipped with a walk-in shower, complimentary toiletries and, thankfully, a hairdryer – I opted for a stroll around the neighbourhood on an unseasonably warm and sunny day. Exiting through the lobby, I stopped to admire the art adorning the walls: this creative, contemporary space seeks to raise awareness of up-and-coming and established artists, showcasing new works every month. The Serotel Suites is ideally located to many of Paris’s principal attractions: within walking distance of the Palais Garnier opera house, and just a metro-ride away from the Basilica de Sacre-Coeur. This church on the hill in Montmartre towers over the City of Light and offers stunning panoramic views across the city – you wouldn’t want to overlook all the romantic clichés, now, would you?

And, once you’ve experienced the cultural riches of my favourite European capital, you can return to the Serotel Suites. You can even take advantage of a leafy outside space: a rare privilege in city-centre hotels. This exclusive boutique aparthotel is an intimate bolthole, an ideal space to call your own during your next stay in Paris.