Hotel Review: Hotel du Louvre, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
The Louvre Museum, also known as the Louvre, situated in the 1st Arrondissement of Paris, France, holds the title of being the most frequented museum globally. It houses an extensive array of collections, featuring famous works such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. Additionally, the museum's distinctive glass-metal pyramids have been featured in numerous films and literary works, solidifying The Louvre as an iconic emblem of Paris. Because of its popularity and central location to other nearby tourist attractions, the 1st Arrondissement has some of the most renowned hotels in the world. Among those properties is Hotel du Louvre—Part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt. It was originally built in 1855 and was the first luxury hotel in Paris. I initially chose the Hotel du Louvre for its proximity to Paris's notable attractions, but I was pleasantly surprised by the exceptional hospitality, amenities, and service it provided. Here is my review of the Hotel du Louvre:
Hotel du Louvre, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, is located at Pl. André Malraux, 75001 Paris, France.
Location
The Hotel du Louvre is located in the heart of Paris, France, in the 1st arrondissement. It is situated on the famous Rue de Rivoli, a lively street lined with shops, cafes, and historical landmarks. The hotel is ideally within walking distance of some of Paris's top attractions, such as the Louvre Museum, Palais Royal, Tuileries Gardens, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the shopping district of Les Halles. Overall, the Hotel du Louvre's location in the heart of Paris and its proximity to many of the city's top attractions make it an ideal choice for tourists looking to explore the best of what Paris offers while enjoying the comforts of a luxurious hotel.
Lobby & Check-In Review
Upon passing through a revolving door, I entered a spacious lobby, instantly escaping the bustling streets of Paris. The lobby exuded an ambiance that was both cozy and elegant, with indoor palm trees adorning a staircase leading to the gym and library, creating an exotic atmosphere.
The Mona Lisa artwork displayed in the lobby served as a tribute to the iconic Mona Lisa housed at the Louvre.
The centerpiece of the staircase was a rendition of the Mona Lisa, a clever nod to the Louvre. Upstairs, a cozy library provided a perfect retreat for catching up on emails or indulging in a mid-afternoon read.
The cozy upstairs library was a cozy spot for emails or a relaxed read.
After taking in the lobby's charm, I made my way to the front desk for check-in. A reservation manager warmly greeted me in person and informed me that the hotel acknowledged my Hyatt Globalist status, resulting in an upgrade to a junior suite, although it wasn't quite ready yet.
It's always gratifying when a hotel acknowledges your loyalty with thanks, and even more so when it rewards you with an upgrade.
Since the room would be prepared shortly, she suggested I visit the hotel bar in the meantime and even personally escorted me there. On the way, she kindly provided information about the gym's operating hours and the various complimentary programs the hotel offered, such as creative workshops and historical tours of the hotel.
Hotel du Louvre offered various complimentary activities, such as creative workshops and historical tours of the hotel.
The level of hospitality I encountered left a strong impression, and it was clear that my stay at the Hotel du Louvre would be nothing short of exceptional.
Bar Review—Officine du Louvre
Nestled on the ground floor, Officine du Louvre welcomes guests from 9 AM to 12 AM. My wife and I found a cozy spot to relax while waiting for our room to be prepared.
Surrounded by lush greenery, it felt as though I had been whisked away to a serene indoor garden.
The bar was inviting with its magnificent restored glass ceiling, bathing the space in a warm, natural glow.
The restored glass ceiling bathed the bar in a warm, natural light, enhancing its ambiance.
The lush greenery around us turned the area into a serene oasis, while the unique and whimsical decorations added a touch of playful charm.
The bar's delightful interior created a perfect setting for enjoying cocktails or a light snack in an upscale atmosphere.
Officine du Louvre presented an intriguing selection of mocktails; however, I was drawn to the Hippocrate—a vodka concoction infused with St. Germain elderflower liqueur.
Officine du Louvre specialized in creating craft cocktails with select French ingredients.
My wife opted for the Earl Grey tea. My drink was beautifully garnished with edible flowers and was not only a delight to the taste but also a feast for the eyes. The cocktails were complemented by a serving of spiced nuts.
My drink was refreshing, with the subtle sweetness of St. Germain elderflower liqueur adding a perfect balance to the beverage.
While we didn’t explore the brunch or tapas menu available on weekends, I would love to return later to dine in and enjoy the glamorous atmosphere again.
Bedroom Review
Upon entering the bedroom, I was immediately struck by its spaciousness. The bed was adorned with minimalist framed illustrations and flanked by nightstands, presenting a sleek, inviting look.
Staying in a spacious room in Paris is a rarity, as most hotel accommodations in the city tend to be compact.
While the absence of reading lights was notable, the convenience of bedside outlets and USB charging ports ensured our electronic devices remained powered throughout our stay.
The bedside outlets and USB charging ports conveniently kept our electronic devices fully charged during our stay.
The mattress was comfortable, yet our time spent lounging on it was minimal due to the junior suite's generous layout, which included a distinct living area. The living space boasted a curved, blue velvet sofa that could host four adults in comfort, complemented by an additional lounge chair for extra seating.
The room's seating options were as design-forward, as one would anticipate from a five-star hotel in Paris.
An oval coffee table served as the centerpiece of our daily activities, from savoring wine in the evenings to hosting quick breakfasts in the mornings. The wall-mounted TV was positioned above a pristine white work desk, which doubled as a media stand.
I valued the hotel's thoughtful placement of outlets and USB ports at desk level, making it effortless to connect my devices.
The desk was equipped with conveniently placed outlets and USB ports, negating the need to fumble beneath the desk for charging.
The inclusion of a Nespresso machine in a hotel room always scores extra points in my book.
The desk also housed a Nespresso machine with a selection of pods and a discreetly concealed mini-fridge stocked with complimentary water and stemless wine glasses.
Should you require additional bottled water, it's conveniently available for you to pick up from the gym.
Adding to the suite's charm were the thoughtful touches provided by the hotel, such as a complimentary bottle of red wine and madeleines from La Madeleine de Proust upon our arrival.
Christophe Felder, one of the world’s most respected masters of pastry, served as the creative force behind La Madeleine de Proust.
These delightful treats were enjoyed on one of the two French balconies, and the balconies directly faced the Louvre.
The balcony served as a perfect vantage point to marvel at the breathtaking architecture of the Louvre.
Even though there was no outdoor seating area, the balcony afforded us a serene spot to relish coffee and pastries in the sunshine with a direct view of the Louvre's stunning architecture.
The hotel's prime location made accessing the Louvre incredibly convenient.
The abundant natural light streaming through large windows amplified the room's airy ambiance. The junior suite's ample space was its standout feature, a rare find in Paris where hotel accommodations are typically compact. The suite's sectional sofa effortlessly accommodated four adults, highlighting the room's spaciousness. However, it was the exceptional hospitality that truly sweetened our stay. Upon returning from dinner, we were pleasantly surprised to find that the hotel had provided turndown service, leaving us with water and chocolate-covered hazelnuts by the bed—a perfect pairing with the remaining wine for a lovely end to our evening.
The hotel staff tidied up my room and thoughtfully left a bottle of water and hazelnut chocolate for the evening.
Bathroom Review
The bathroom shared the bedroom's sleek and modern design ethos; it boasted a minimalist yet luxurious feel accentuated by a gold-trimmed mirror. The gold accent not only added a layer of elegance but also introduced a vibrant contrast to the space. At the heart of the bathroom was a chic single-sink vanity, crowned with a white-gray granite countertop and complemented by floors of the same high-quality granite.
The gold-accented mirror featured a heating function, ensuring it remained clear and fog-free after a shower.
The gold-trimmed, heated mirror enhanced the room's sophistication, ensuring a clear reflection even after the steamiest showers. Unique to the Hotel du Louvre was the inclusion of a handheld bidet, which has been becoming increasingly scarce in the city's accommodations.
Although the bathroom lacked a separate water closet, it was equipped with a handheld bidet.
The spacious walk-in shower was equipped with a refreshing rainfall showerhead and offered a consistently invigorating experience.
The generously sized walk-in shower with rejuvenating rainfall showerhead consistently delivered an energizing experience.
In an eco-conscious move, the hotel provided Codage toiletries—the same brand favored by Le Roch Hotel & Spa—in shared bottles to minimize plastic waste.
Codage specializes in crafting customized skincare products, meticulously formulated on-demand following a personalized skin assessment to meet your specific needs.
Given the Hotel du Louvre's five-star status, the amenities were as exceptional as anticipated. Despite missing a double-sink vanity, the generous walk-in shower and thoughtful amenities like the heated mirror and bidet left a lasting impression.
Gym Review
Situated on the ES level, the Hotel du Louvre's gym operated around the clock, providing guests with access to fitness at any hour. The gym set itself apart from typical Parisian hotel gyms with its spacious layout and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows that flooded the space with natural light.
It's rare to encounter a hotel gym in Paris that gives a feeling of spaciousness.
The windows overlooked Rue de Rivoli, and there was no shortage of people-watching during a workout. Equipped with state-of-the-art TechnoGym cardio machines, the facility ensured an engaging workout experience. The strength training area featured an all-in-one machine that supported a wide range of lifting exercises with just three pieces of equipment.
The strength training zone was equipped with a versatile all-in-one machine that could perform a broad spectrum of lifting exercises.
Additionally, a dedicated corner with an adjustable bench, free weights, kettlebells, and dumbbells, alongside yoga mats and foam rollers, catered to a comprehensive fitness regimen.
The area designated for free weights was constrained in terms of space and lacked heavier weight options.
While space for stretching or yoga might be limited, the gym's scale and variety of equipment were a notable upgrade from the typically smaller hotel gyms found in Paris. An exceptional feature of this gym was the inclusion of three private bathrooms, each equipped with showers, bathrobes, and hair dryers, mirroring the amenities of a standard hotel room for a seamless transition from workout to refreshment.
The gym presented three private bathrooms, fully equipped with all the amenities necessary to prepare you for exploring Paris immediately following a workout.
With its panoramic Rue de Rivoli views, cutting-edge TechnoGym equipment, and thoughtful amenities, the Hotel du Louvre's gym was impressive.
Positives & Negatives
Positives
The Hotel du Louvre enjoys an unparalleled location that is ideal for tourists, especially those experiencing Paris for the first time. Positioned in the 1st arrondissement, it allows guests to easily walk to renowned sites like the Palais Royal, the Tuileries Gardens, and the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Living up to its name, the hotel is directly across from the Louvre Museum, offering visitors a prime spot for delving into the city's famed artistic and historical treasures.
Finding spacious accommodations in Parisian hotels can be a challenge, yet the Hotel du Louvre stood out for its generous room sizes compared to many other establishments I've visited in Paris. My junior suite featured not only a distinct living area but also two French balconies with views of the Louvre Museum, providing a delightful retreat on a mild spring day. Furthermore, the design of the fitness center was thoughtfully executed, with floor-to-ceiling windows creating a sense of openness and space within the facility.
The hospitality provided by the hotel staff was remarkable. From the moment of my check-in until my departure, each encounter with the staff enveloped me in a warm welcome. The Hotel du Louvre acknowledged my Globalist status with generous welcome amenities, and receiving an upgrade to the junior suite was much appreciated.
Negatives
Although I didn't encounter any particular issues during my stay, my ability to enjoy breakfast was limited due to its weekend starting time of 7 AM. This timing might be inconvenient for guests with early morning flights, as was my case, potentially missing out on the breakfast experience.
Summary
A visit to the Hotel du Louvre affirmed how essential a great hotel selection is for any vacation. Its prized location makes it easy for one to explore the nearby attractions, particularly for first-time visitors. The hotel’s luxurious interiors and amenities provided me with a much-appreciated sense of comfort amidst my stay. My junior suite featured a spacious living space on top of the two French balconies facing the Louvre. The bathroom boasted upscale touches like a heated mirror and granite flooring. The staff could not have been more hospitable to me, as they welcomed me from the moment I stepped into the hotel until I checked out. I would definitely recommend Hotel du Louvre as a top choice for anyone wanting to stay at a five-star property near major tourist attractions in Paris.
