You may have seen from instagram that I’ve been travelling quite a bit this summer which has been amazing to say the least. I will be posting travel tips and itineraries for South East Asia very soon, but in the mean time let’s talk about my birthday in Paris! We decided a little getaway from London would be a great way to celebrate the occasion and  were lucky enough to stay in one of the most beautiful hotels I’ve visited to date, which made my birthday all the more magical!

You wI’ll find Hotel Indigo Paris on Rue Édouard VII. The entrance faces a quiet little street which is pedestrian only. The quaintness of this boutique hotel is unusual as the location is in the heart of the city’s entertainment district and is right next to Place de l’Opéra, however due to the tucked away location you can still enjoy some quiet time and have a well rested trip.

If you’re planning a trip to Paris for a special event, business or even just for a quick getaway then Hotel Indigo Paris is for you! I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of my stay, read on and I’ll tell you why…

Check In

We arrived to the hotel to the warm and welcoming greetings of the hotel’s helpful staff, which is always lovely if you’re feeling a bit tired from your journey. Check in was very quick and efficient, the staff explained where the room was and the facilities available. We were then directed to our room and we took one of the two elevators available up to the fifth floor. It was super easy to find our room as everything is very clearly presented.

 

The Hotel

One thing that you will note about Paris is the very classic architecture of the buildings, which is no different in the Opera district. Hotel Indigo Paris has a very elegant exterior keeping in theme with all of the surrounding buildings.

Inside, the hotel itself is vast and very modern, not to mention immaculately presented. Every single detail of decor in the hotel is maintained to perfect precision – from the exact angle that all the bar stools in the wine bar face, to the arrangement of the daily newspapers and magazines. Everything is absolutely spotless, cleanliness is something I take into high regard when I consider accommodation and Hotel Indigo Paris was by far one of her most well maintained hotels I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting.

Despite the modern feel to the hotel, you will notice theatre-style decor and murals paying homage to the local area. I felt this was a very warm touch, still reminding guests of the fact that they’re visiting one of the biggest culture capitals of the world and celebrating French heritage.

The Room

Our room was on the fifth floor and facing away from the main road which meant that it was a very peaceful suite perfect for lazy mornings. The suite itself was HUGE. There was so much space to walk around and there was even a sofa and coffee table opposite the bed just to lounge. The decor stayed consistent with the theme of the hotel, modern with a classic twist and little Parisian reminders scattered around in the form of murals and even a curtain above the bed similar to a theatre stage curtain.

I was delighted to arrive in the room to find a beautiful little platter of sweet treats wishing me a happy birthday which was a lovely personal touch, and also balloons which I had asked for! It was such a thoughtful touch that instantly made me feel very welcome.

 

The bed was an absolute dream. I have to take a moment of appreciation for this mattress as it was so unbelievably comfortable that we ended up sleeping in most mornings just because we couldn’t bear to leave the bed. My boyfriend asked on 3 separate occasions whether I could query at the front desk where they get their mattresses from because we didn’t want to part from it. It was the best bed I’ve ever slept I and I cannot begin to explain how sad I was to go back to sleeping in my own bed after my stay.

There were also convenient little plugs next to the bed perfect for phone charging and light switches. In addition, I loved the little speakers on the bedside table which were compatible with my iPhone and perfect if you want to play some music as you embarrassingly dance around whilst getting ready in the morning. Not saying that I do that or anything…

There was a huge flat screen TV in the lounge area of the room which we unfortunately didn’t have much time to take advantage of due to our busy activity-filled days. However I did make use of the hotels free guest wi fi being the instagram addict that I am!

The hotel has great attention to detail, providing a spacious wardrobe which was also equipped with an ironing board and iron for all the clothes which get squished in your suitcase. There was a kettle provided with complimentary teabags, coffee and hot chocolate as well as a cute mini fridge with goodies which we raided.

One thing that I found very unique was the complimentary smart phone provided for the duration of your stay. We were told by front desk at check in that this can call anywhere in the world for free and that you can also take it with you outside of the hotel. I’d never come across such a brilliant idea before and it definitely came in very handy during our trip.

And finally, just look at this view!

The Bathroom

The bathroom was en suite and also very roomy. I fell in love with the mirror which made me feel a bit like an old Hollywood movie star whilst I was getting ready and the little vanity mirror is also super convenient if you want to make sure your makeup looks flawless. There is also an array of high quality toiletries provided which were replenished daily by housekeeping.

I have to say that my favourite part of the bathroom was the shower – it was super spacious and luxurious with a choice of two different shower heads.

Bathrobes were provided and towels were in abundance which is always very helpful, everything was very high quality and soft to touch and again, replace by housekeeping every day.

Breakfast

Breakfast was included in our stay and it was so yummy! The breakfast area itself is located on the first floor of the hotel and was very intimate, it felt more life a cafe than a huge buffet dining area as most would expect, and I much preferred the comfort of being in a more cosy space.

The food itself was beautifully presented and very tasty. There were staff constantly on hand, instantly replacing any dish that would finish. There was even a gluten free section for any of those who are health conscious. You could tell that all produce was fresh and locally sourced, there was also a focus on many types of fresh bread, pastries and cheese- it’s Paris after all!

We ordered room service on my birthday morning because what’s better on your birthday than breakfast in bed? The tray come up very promptly, and you could see that there was though put into even the most simple of breakfasts.

Staff

The staff at Hotel Indigo Paris were absolutely incredible. They not only provided a great service, but did so in the friendliest of ways, taking the time to personally interact with each guest and ensuring that they were doing all they could for each individual person to have a memorable trip.

Whether I needed help with directions to get to Disneyland Paris or just some toothpaste, there was always someone at the front desk who would try to help in the best way they could and to provide that service with a smile.

In particular, I foolishly forgot that the plug sockets in France are different from that in England and didn’t pack an adapter. I spoke with Charlotte at reception to see if the hotel had any adapters available and she did everything she could to try and find one for me. Even when I told her not to worry and that I would go out he next morning to buy one, I got a call from the front desk five minutes later saying that she had found a solution for me in the meantime by plugging one adapter into another to fit my charger. Just so I wouldn’t go without a charger for an evening.  Seemingly little things like this make such a difference to your trip and the slightest bit of kindness can make such a huge impact on your entire stay.

On the evening of my birthday we received a knock at the door from one of the gentleman from reception who gave us two glasses of complimentary champagne to celebrate. It was the perfect way to end the perfect day. Everyone was a very thoughtful throughout.

Location

Location is essential with any hotel and hotel Indigo Paris is in a prime location without being In a very noisy area. It took us 20 mins in an uber from Gare du Nord to the hotel.

If you’re a shopaholic then you’ll be pleased to know that Hotel Indigo Paris is only a stones throw away from Place Vendome where you can find lots of cute boutique designer shops. Most of the surrounding area is full of pretty shops and cafes so all you need to do is have a walk around to find them. Most of the main tourist sites are also no longer than 20 mins on public transport from the hotel, or if 10 mins in an uber if you’re a bit lazy like me. It’s the perfect location a weekend of shopping or a trip devoted to seeing the sights and sounds of Paris.

Check Out

Checking out of the hotel was even easier than checking in and took absolutely no time at all. our train was in the evening and fortunately the hotel was kind enough to hold onto our luggage until we were ready to leave.

I loved my stay at Hotel Indigo Paris and not only did I fall in love with Paris, but I fell in love with the hotel and I would stay there again on any future trips to the city.
It was Audrey Hepburn that once said “Paris is always a good idea”, but perhaps for me it’s that Hotel Indigo Paris is always a good idea!

 

ps.

A little top tip from me, if you’re a regular traveller make sure you get your hands on the IHG Rewards memebrship card. You’ll get advantgages in IHG hotels worldwide (there are 5000 to choose from) like a guaranteed free check out or room upgrades. Don’t miss out!