Paris’s latest eco hotel, sister to the Gavarni, is a gem with Eiffel Tower views, beautiful new rooms and impressive water, energy and materials-saving credentials. Under Xavier Moraga’s committed baton, there is inventive use of led lighting, intelligent fittings in small spaces and a fun choice of décor – he’s even bought an electric van so guests can take a green tour of the city. Landing walls, done in metallised limewash, glow softly under hand and eye. Choose a soberly chic modern-classic room in quiet grey, brown or caramel stripes with a sensuously padded wall behind the bed, or a joyous, hand-painted backdrop of giant flowers – turquoise, fuchsia, mimosa – matching velvet curtains and floor-level lighting; take the Eiffel suite and you’ll feel you are sitting on top of the tower. Many are connected to the latest in eco-friendly air treatment and have recycling showers or jacuzzi baths in their excellent (unchanged) marble bathrooms. Organic breakfast is in the jaunty black and white basement, fine French food with oriental tinges is in the stunning ground-floor restaurant with its variegated seating and living walls. A delight.
