The hotel
Table of Contents
The Foundation, Paris
Check-in
We arrive late afternoon on a Wednesday (there’s no parking, so get ready to exit your Uber promptly on the street) and notice a line of people outside as we make our way through to the lounge area for a relaxed Parisian check-in. Turns out they’re queuing for the rooftop bar, which is the latest place to be for a view of the Eiffel Tower with your St-Germain elderflower cocktail. The lounge area meanwhile gives a preview of the hotel’s design credentials, with its retro seating, objets d’art and coffee-table tomes.
The look
We’re in the 17th arrondissement, between Les Batignolles village and Parc Monceau, well off the tourist drag but within walking distance of key attractions. The main hotel is housed in a brutalist 1960s building reimagined by Paris architects PCA-Stream, with interiors by New York design studio Roman & Williams. At the rear, a former car park has been transformed into an industrial glass and steel co-working space, with a lush suspended garden plus cafe, gym, sauna and 25-metre swimming pool – there’s even a climbing wall. It’s all super-cool, and much patronised by locals taking advantage of the membership offering.
The room
Ah, my favourite type of hotel room. Smallish, but perfectly formed, with everything you need and nothing you don’t, and a bed that feels like you’re sleeping on a cloud. There’s an enormous picture window that opens to the (slightly noisy) street below, a modern curved lounge and coffee table, and covetable curated artworks by the Amelie Maison d’Art gallery. The bathroom is all moss-green tiles, glass bricks, curved mirror and brass fittings, while the mini bar threatens willpower with bottled cocktails, black-truffle chips and Brebis cheese biscuits.
Food + drink
The signature restaurant on the 8th floor is yet to open during our visit, but meanwhile La Base, the all-day bistro on the ground floor, offers an impressive contemporary menu – from perfect omelettes and honeycomb-layered croissants at breakfast to a sticky onion tarte Tatin and deeply flavoured chicken supreme at dinner. There’s an attention to detail in the cooking here that’s unusual for a hotel, even if the wait staff are a little inexperienced (or maybe that was just French leave). You can sit outdoors on sunny yellow chairs surrounded by plants; inside more comfortable leather banquettes and marble tables beckon. Room service is also available.
Out + about
Nearby is a plethora of cafes, patisseries and bars to explore, and a distinct lack of tourists. But the major sights are within reach if you’re happy to get your steps up; otherwise you can grab an Uber or take the metro. Book a private cruise down the Seine with Green River Cruises or a wine-tasting at the Musee du Vin, set in 15th-century limestone cellars near the Eiffel Tower. After a nostalgic lunch of French classics at Restaurant Margaux, check out the Musee d’Orsay or nearby L’Orangerie, or test the exchange rate with some shopping at the flagship Galeries Lafayette (don’t miss its rooftop cafe/bar for more fab panoramic views).
The verdict
Exactly the sort of place that makes you want to move to Paris and inhale its energy and joie de vivre. Beautifully considered design, and a laid-back vibe. Loved it.
Essentials
La Fondation, Paris, 40-42 Rue Legendre, 75017 Paris; rooms from €452 ($808) a night; see lafondationhotel.com
Highlight
The thought that’s gone into every element, down to the Alain Ducasse dark chocolates in the room.
Lowlight
It’s lovely having the huge picture window open to the street, but noisy on a Thursday night.
The writer was a guest of Virgin Australia, Atout France and Paris je t’aime tourism office.
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Try Jenkins – Trudi is Traveller’s content director, with responsibility for all editorial across the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Originally from England, Trudi began her magazine career in London, and also worked as a sub-editor on Fleet Street. She has edited Sunday Life, delicious. magazine and Vogue Entertaining + Travel as well as establishing two successful online businesses. She has lived in France and Italy, and will travel long distances for good food, wine and coffee.