Splendor Hotel

Suave, sophisticated hats made by the famous Christys’ guide me down twisting, turning stairs decorated with hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades.  Spiralling further and further downwards between walls of sleek black, I’m led into a rabbit warren of magic and mystique. At any moment I’m expecting a top-hat wearing magician to jump out and hand me a white bunny, his tailcoat swishing out behind him. But, instead, I find myself in an a space where imagination is free to roam the corridors, and a hotel where every corner brings a new surprise – all tucked away in the quiet, cosy 17th arrondissement of Paris.

The Hotel Splendour lives up to its name, with an enchanting décor conceptualised by interior designer Sandrine Alouf with magical tendencies and divine inspirations. Alouf, known for her ability to bring stories to life through the visual, has managed to interpret the hotel’s desire to help every guest take a trip into the heart of the world of magic. Upstairs, the attic rooms are influenced by cine-magician Georges Méliès and his short film “A Trip to the Moon”. It certainly felt like I’d taken a trip to another compelling, mesmerising planet during my stay at the Splendour. Every pocket of detail and every flourish of design are carefully thought out to ensure visitors enjoy a captivating experience, from the cascading playing cards, to the dark decoration lit up by splashes of luminous stars.

Tucked away in Paris’ 17th arrondissement, the Splendour is veiled from the busy crowds of the city centre, but is also surrounded by enthralling attractions and a delicious selection of Parisian eateries. Stepping outside of the magical clutches of the hotel, it’s evident that this arrondissement is chic and stylish, evidenced by the grand, sprawling avenues, and impressive French architecture. Nearby, you can float along the colourful streets of the Batignolles district, stroll through Parc Monceau, and stand star-struck in front of the Champs-Elysees one of Paris’ most magical and enchanting streets.

Back in the bewitched world of the Splendour, you can venture further into the mystique in the comfortable library, dipping into well-thumbed books on magic, spells, and the life and art of Georges Méliès. No two visits to this bubble of mystery are the same, either, as each room is dedicated to a different craft, such as the mesmerising world of card tricks, a universe of illusion, levitation, celestial magic and, of course, the spellbinding story of Méliès himself. Guests weave their own way through the absorbing atmosphere of the Splendour, finding their own spots of magic in the charismatic, daring décor, and the imaginative inspiration. The room can be set to your own lighting using the computerised system so you can set the mood exactly how you’d like it. The double bedrooms are eclectic and vibrant and some bathrooms are decorated mirrors that play intriguing tricks on the mind.

Inviting you to test your senses, the Splendour provides a multi-sensory experience made from the illusions of dreams and the depths of the imagination. And, to tickle the tastebuds, it offers an exemplary Parisian breakfast spread, made complete with artisanal jams, breads, cheeses, meats, and pastries, all set against a backdrop that is inspired by the darkness of night – deep blues and blacks, and lampshades that hint at full moons.

When I stepped off the welcoming streets of Paris’ 17th arrondissement into the mystical arms of the Splendour, I was whisked away into a world of whimsical fantasy and daring magic. It was almost as if I’d been tapped three times with a magician’s wand and had appeared, awe-struck, from the rim of a top hat into a completely different world characterised by illusion and charm. Paris is known for being a magical destination, the city of dreams, and I found the Splendour to be the perfect complement to the fantastical French city. Splendour might well be a trick of the imagination, but it cast a spell on me right from the start, an enchanting, experience that I will not forget in a hurry.