Ooh la lovely! Inside one of Paris's hottest new hotels

If there was an Oscar for headboards, the one in our fifth-floor suite in Norman Hotel in Paris would be a contender.

Formed from lavish burnished wood that gently curves around the bed, with a centrepiece of stitched brown padding and sockets and lamps incorporated into the design on either side, I'd wager the judges would be mildly spellbound.

And that's not all that would hold their gaze, for this recently opened hotel – a stone's throw from the Champs Elysées and part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World portfolio – is an aesthete's paradise, its looks a bewitching fusion of French and American creativity.

The architect behind the design is Paris-based Thomas Vidalenc, with the hotel's name referring to his inspiration, American modernist Norman Ives.

Ives (1923-1978) was a Bauhaus-influenced painter and Yale professor in graphic design, with the hotel stating that his 'taste for colour, simplicity, functional and harmonious forms inspired the special atmosphere of the Norman Hotel'.

What does that mean for guests?

Ted Thornhill checked in to the chic Norman Hotel in Paris, which is part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World portfolio. He is full of praise for his room's headboard (above)

Eiffel in love: Norman Hotel 'is an aesthete's paradise, its looks a bewitching fusion of French and American creativity'. Above is the living room area of Ted's suite

They step into a five-star haven populated by vintage sofas, geometric prints and American paintings from the seventies.

But the vibrant interior design also eclectically incorporates objects unearthed in antique shops, Brazilian flair and Art Deco flourishes – the stunning light above our bed, for instance.

On paper it sounds like a potentially risky mismatch, but these elements have been brought together by a practiced eye. And it works, without sacrificing comfort.

Our bed is ridiculously sumptuous and the ensuite a class act, with light-brown vertical tiling, a quality rain shower and a standalone tub big enough to do laps in.

We love, too, the modish grey sofa in the living area and balcony that runs the length of the room.

What's not to Louvre? The architect behind the design is Paris-based Thomas Vidalenc, with the hotel's name referring to his inspiration, American modernist Norman Ives

The 'tres-chic bar' on the ground floor, which 'doubles as a lobby lounge and where you'll find wonderfully squishy blancmange-like sofas'

The hotel's Thai restaurant, Thiou, named after the chef who runs it, Apiradee Thirakomen, aka Thiou, who made her name on the Parisian hospitality circuit as chef of legendary nightclub Les Bains Douches

There's plenty to please downstairs, too.

Not least the tres-chic bar on the ground floor, which doubles as a lobby lounge and where you'll find wonderfully squishy blancmange-like sofas and thickly sculpted wooden bar stools with sides and backs that curve into chunky loops.

Step beyond a theatrical drape and you enter the hotel's Thai restaurant, Thiou, named after the chef who runs it, Apiradee Thirakomen, aka Thiou, who made her name on the Parisian hospitality circuit as chef of legendary nightclub Les Bains Douches.

'Guests step into a five-star haven populated by vintage sofas, geometric prints and American paintings from the seventies,' writes Ted

Ted writes: 'Returning to the discreet stone-clad hotel is like stepping inside your very own Parisian pied-a-terre'

The 37-room hotel has a subterranean spa (above)

The food in her Norman Hotel enclave is highly agreeable – she cooks cod to tender perfection – the wines eminently drinkable and the service, while not terribly warm, is polite and efficient.

Breakfast is served in the same venue and is decent – I can vouch for the continental spread and the quality of coffee.

The 37-room hotel has subterranean enticements, too, in the form of a spa with a pool and sauna, fresh and new for 2024.

Outside, meanwhile, the temptations of the French capital are mere moments away, with the hotel located on the corner of Rue Balzac and Rue de Châteaubriand, a short walk from the Arc de Triomphe and the boutiques of the aforementioned Champs Elysées.

Returning to the discreet stone-clad hotel is like stepping inside your very own Parisian pied-a-terre.

And one that is fit for the front cover of an interior design magazine.

TRAVEL FACTS 

Ted was hosted by Norman Hotel, courtesy of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

Prices start from £281 ($350/329 euros) per night on a room-only basis, based on two guests sharing. To book visit www.slh.com.

PROS: One very good looking and comfortable hotel, with a chic bar and solid, affordable dining option. Great location.

CONS: Nothing off-putting, but the restaurant staff, while polite and efficient, could be a tad warmer.

Rating out of five: **** 

GETTING THERE 

The best way of reaching Paris from the UK is via the high-speed Eurostar train service. Standard tickets cost from £39, standard premier from £70 and business premier from £275.

Eurostar operates 17 trains a day from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare Du Nord. The fastest London to Paris journey time is 2hrs 16 minutes, with each train able to carry up to 894 passengers.

Visit www.eurostar.com/uk-en. 

Want to arrive at the hotel in style? Then book a Blacklane chauffeur

Blacklane chauffeurs are extremely courteous, drive carefully and will transport you in a luxury car. The drivers, all trained at the Blacklane Chauffeur Academy, will always provide bottled water, Wi-Fi, and a multi-charger cable.

The 'First Class' service allows clients to travel in 'true luxury', with a fleet of vehicles including Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Audi A8 or EVs such as Mercedes-Benz EQS.

Chauffeurs will wait up to one hour to allow for delays, and clients can cancel their ride up to one hour before their booking time.

Visit www.blacklane.com/en.

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