I am nothing but sighs and swoons for Hotel de Sers in Paris. Once the private mansion of the Marquis de Sers, the property is one of five Paris hotels under the B Signature Hotels & Resorts umbrella (with two others in Saint Barth and Bretagne). Recently, the hotel underwent a complete, multi-million-Euro transformation under the vision of architect Pascal Allaman.
The result strikes a perfect balance between the building’s aristocratic bones and modern convenience and elegance. “It was never about reinventing everything, but about faithfully extending the story,” note owners Anne and Agathe Jousse.
From custom-bound poetry to velvet textures, the library at Hotel de Sers is a study in detail and discretion. Photo: Hôtel de Sers
Originally built in 1880 as a noble residence, the hôtel particulier has welcomed statesmen, artists, and dignitaries through its gilded doors. Even today, the house retains the intimacy of a private mansion — corridors lined with portraits, salons dressed in velvet and silk — while offering the effortless glamour of a modern Parisian five-star. Staying here feels less like checking into a hotel and more like being invited to live in history, with the City of Light unfurling just beyond the terrace.
The Location
Panoramic and unmistakably Paris. From the terrace at Hotel de Sers, the Eiffel Tower is never far from sight. Photo: Hôtel de Sers
It’s not for nothing, as they say, that the stunning Suite Panoramique of Paris’ Hôtel de Sers is named precisely and presciently for its stunning vistas — panoramic, indeed.
To the right, the Eiffel Tower; across the street, the towering Cathédrale Américaine de la Sainte-Trinité; in the distance, the silhouette of Sacré-Cœur and the domes of Les Invalides; and all around, classic Parisian views, crowned by steel-grey, mansard-style, Haussmann-era sloping roofs, a signature of the Second Empire. There is no mistaking this view of Paris for any other city.
The Champs-Élysées is just a short stroll away, while the boutiques of Avenue Montaigne and the cultural treasures of the Grand Palais are practically at your doorstep. It’s the sort of location that makes you feel plugged directly into the pulse of Paris — yet cocooned in elegance the moment you step back inside.
The Guest Rooms
Pale oak floors, rich velvets, and Paris at your window — Hotel de Sers suites whisper understated luxury. Photo: Hôtel de Sers
A boutique, five-star property, the Hotel de Sers has 43 outstanding rooms and nine suites. Over half the rooms open onto a terrace, and over a dozen rooms have breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tower; I had the good fortune to be the mistress of a 22-square-metre terrace. I felt as if I had landed in paradise in this strikingly decorated suite.
Every detail has been carefully orchestrated, down to the inclusion of a petite library, on shelves surrounding the fireplace — custom-bound volumes, including the works of Paul Verlaine, in two tomes, with ebony-leather covers, each embossed with a willowy, snow-white blossom and leafy-green foliage gracing each stem. Details, details.
The bathrooms are just as lavishly appointed — the showstopper of the Eiffel Suite is a central soaking tub framed by handcrafted Italian mosaics, veined white marble, and gleaming gilded brass. Photo: Hôtel de Sers
Each room and suite is distinctive, but all sport an understated, luxurious feel. Pale oak flooring, soft fawn and cognac linen textiles, botanical-motif cushions, tapestry-like murals, and filaments of gleaming copper threads that are shot through the fabrics all combine to create a recipe for comfort, bravura, and calm. The furnishings are all chosen for their discreet noblesse and understated stylishness: rich velvets, textured linen, satiny-surfaced textiles that whisper “welcome.”
The bathrooms are just as lavishly appointed. The amenities are from As a Non Believer; nestled on a bathroom shelf are peach-coloured and divinely scented bath salts from Etro; plush towels, robes, and slippers await you at bath time. The bean-shaped soaking tub, tucked into a curved nook, is irresistible.
The Ambience
The 22-metre portrait gallery pays homage to the Marquis de Sers while anchoring the hotel’s grand Parisian spirit. Photo: Hôtel de Sers
Light, herringbone-parquet floors, intricately crafted wood panelling, exquisitely rich fabrics and geometrically patterned carpets are part of the interior landscape. The lobby opens up to a 22-metre-long portrait gallery, paying homage to the Marquis’ lineage. A grand staircase stands guard at the promenade’s midpoint, and beyond are the sophisticated yet homey library and dining area. At the far end, a white-marble bar awaits.
A patio courtyard is shielded from the weather with a modular-glass, canopy-style roof. It houses a dining area and also a lush garden, kind of a verdant greenhouse in the heart of Paris. (Psst: Breakfast is a treat here).
A hidden oasis in the heart of Paris — Hotel de Sers’ glass-canopy courtyard blends fine dining with the charm of a verdant greenhouse. Photo: Hôtel de Sers
Adding to the atmosphere, the hotel often collaborates with contemporary artists for rotating exhibitions, which gives the historic property a living, evolving cultural dialogue. One moment you are admiring an 18th-century portrait, the next you are lingering over modern photography or sculpture — a reminder that Paris itself is a city where tradition and innovation constantly intermingle.
The Service
Service is precisely what you’d expect at any five-star property, with a Clefs d’Or concierge who helped me plan my days to be geographically sensible, orchestrated complicated train tickets, arranged entrée for museums, and offered insider-y advice for all else.
Photo: Hôtel de Sers
Need to Know
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Check-In / Check-Out: Arrive from 3:00 PM; check-out is a civilised 12:00 PM (though you’ll be reluctant to leave).
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Dining: The hotel’s own Restaurant Le Sers serves modern French cuisine with seasonal flair. The marble bar and leafy courtyard are perfect for a champagne toast or a late-night bite. Reservations are wise.
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Breakfast: A buffet breakfast of flaky pastries, cheeses, fruits, and hot dishes is a Parisian delight (and yes, worth lingering over).
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WiFi: Complimentary high-speed WiFi throughout — though those Eiffel Tower views might prove a distraction.
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Facilities: Fitness centre, library lounge, portrait gallery, and that stunning courtyard terrace.
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Concierge: Expect gold-standard service from the Clefs d’Or team, who can secure tables, tickets, and insider tips with aplomb.
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Extras: Choose a suite with an Eiffel Tower terrace and soak in the bean-shaped tub with bath salts from Etro. Pure bliss.
