Back in the olden days, I used to think it was stupid to shell out for a nice hotel. My reasoning was that when I’m in a great city, why would I wan’t to spend time in my room? I have since learned, thanks to Mr P, that staying in a fabulous hotel really makes one’s vacation much more special. These days, whenever I go anywhere, I do loads of research in search of something that will make my holiday all the more memorable, and that is how I found this little gem: the Fresco Room at Hotel des Saints-Peres.
Hotel des Saints Peres was the private home of Daniel Gittard, Louis XIV’s architect. It was built in 1658. According to what I’ve read, it was the very Fresco Room that I stayed in which was the inspiration for the celebrated designer Tom Ford’s inspiration to actually pick up and move to Paris! As soon as I came across it, I knew this would be the perfect base for my birthday adventure.
Welcome daaaaahlings!
Aside from the ceiling, another wonderful feature was the stunning original wood flooring from back when the hotel was a 17th Century mansion.
I really loved the heavy silk drapery that surrounded the two enormous windows in our room. The colours were so subtle and perfectly echoed the palate within the fresco.
This is what I would wake up to in the morning.
And in the evening, the rotund little cherub would taunt me while I bathed, “Hey there Housewife, maybe you should cool it with the Pierre Herme!” But what does he know? He’s not even wearing panties. You can’t take anyone seriously when their little bits are dangling in the clouds, now can you?
The beautiful claw footed tub kind of made up for the fact that there was no proper shower.
Our room overlooked the central courtyard of the hotel.
This was a spot where your favourite housewife indulged in more than one decadent pastry…
“Om nom nom nom!”
Pros:
- Awesome location: Hotel des Saints-Peres is in my favourite part of Paris, Saint Germain des Pres. It is within walking distance of some fantastic high end boutiques, Le Bon Marche, Le Grand Episcire, Deux Magots, Cafe Flore, Laduree, and Pierre Herme.
- The staff are kind, informed, and helpful.
- The hotel is an oasis of quiet amidst the hustle and bustle of Paris. You can most definitely get a good night’s sleep here.
- The original character of the building is well preserved. I’ve stayed in hotels before where the hotel owners have designed rooms to mimic antique luxury, but I’ve never stayed in a room that was the real deal like this was. It was because of that reason that you know that the hotel didn’t have any “similar” suites throughout the building with equally impressive frescos. This was something special, a one of a kind masterpiece. It also kind of makes you feel important when you know you’ve got the best room in the house
. - Complimentary and unlimited wifi, so important to any savvy housewife with a blog!
- Built in flat screen TV
- Unlike most Paris hotel rooms, this one was quite large at 35 square meters.
- Cost: Staying at the Fresco Room is not cheap BUT if you compare it to a room in most of Paris’s best hotels, you get so much more for your money in terms of size and the sheer beauty of the place. I really think that this room far outshines anything you could get at the famous George V and other comparable hotels, for which you’d have to put your kidney for sale.
Cons:
- As Hotel des Saints-Peres was not originally intended to be a hotel, it was not built like one. The Fresco Room’s bathroom is a bit unconventional. The shower is not a proper shower, but a hose attatchment affixed to the bathtub. This made showering and washing my hair a bit uncomfortable and awkward.
- Privacy: The bath tub is not housed in its own room, it is part of the main bedroom. A screen is provided, but it definitely does not offer the sort of privacy that a standard bathroom offers. If you are anything like me, and you are a total cow when you are on vacation, eating like there is no tomorrow, then towards the end of your holiday you feel all fat and bloated. You don’t nescissarily want to flaunt your newly acquired blubber to your Hubbykins, no matter how adoring he may be.
- Amenities: I did not like the Fragonard bathroom amenities
. All-in-one shampoo/conditioner??? Hello!? Not on my beautiful tresses! I ended up buying shampoo and conditioner from a place nearby. - Gym: If you like to risk-manage while going on vacation by doing a bit of exercize, there is no gym at Hotel des Saints-Peres, but that being said, most hotels in Paris don’t have them either. It kind of makes you wonder, with all those croissants and steak frites, how do the French stay so slim and stylish?
Despite the cons I’ve mentioned, I would still totally recommend staying at the Fresco Room at Hotel des Saints-Peres if you get the opportunity. Waking up under that stunning mural in one of the most beautiful cities in the world was so completely memorable and special. You feel like you have no cares in the world. The day is yours and Pierre Herme awaits. It is truly fabulous. You just can’t help but feel like a princess (even if your thighs did get really fat).
P.S. I’m not one of those selfish birthday girls. I ate this one in your honour:
OMG, aren’t I like the best friend evaaaaa?
Happy Birthday HH! What a lovely hotel…the pictures are awesome…love the angels in the ceiling and the desserts look absolutely delicious…again Happy Birthday!
Hope you are having a fantastic week
omg, that bath is AMAZING! can I soak in it for 15 minutes please? I totally love fancy hotels: it makes you feel so special and pampered. and we deserve it!
Oh..I love that picture of courtyard from your balcony! And that pastry it to die for..glad that you are having a wonderful time, S.
The addition of St Germain + Pierre Hermé, makes it a perfect hotel, I would say! It looks liket you had lovely holidays and Mr P. is definitely a man of very good taste!
I could forgive there being no shower if I got
now THAT is the most gorgeous “cherry on top” !!!
hmmm my bathroom is like that hotel..theres a shower nozzle but yea it’s hand held and not fixed…in fact i just took a bath and tried to wash my hair with it..there’s always water on the floor because of it lol
xoxo <3
Happy Belated Birthday HH! What a wonderful place to spend your birthday vacation, and oh my, the bathtub is just gorgeous. I would have been worried about splashing water onto the floor though.
Happy belated birthday, HH! I’m so glad you had such a wonderful time in Paris – the room looks magnificent! I would have stayed there all day stuffing myself with pastries…
What a gorgeous hotel! And thanks for eating the lovely cake for us, LOL.
You are most certainly the best evaaaaa! Happy Belated Birthday my dear, so sorry I am late, can we just pretend fashionably?
What a glorious place…and even if it is not the most private, I may be willing to kill for a glass of bubbly and an hour or so in that bathroom
Looks like you were spoiled and pampered. Wonderful room. I must admit that when I travel the NHhotels usually offer what we want. We spend our money on more travelling. I do stay in the Fairmont Hotels while travelling around North America as I find we are in our rooms more than when in Europe. We have stayed in some lovely places, too – booking well in advance and keeping the 150 Euro a night or less mark as our guide. That being said, there are occasions where we splurge and they are unforgettable…
Valerie
Happy belated birthday and sorry I missed you while you were staying in Paris! Great sounding hotel and great pastries to celebrate. Photos are beauties. J xo
It may be late but a greeting is still a greeting. Happy Birthday Heavenly Housewife! You sure had a blast in that hotel.
Happy birthday, HH!
This is my favorite neighborhood of Paris too. And that cake looks divine. I wanna spend my bday there… :/