This Paris Hideaway Was Just Named One of the Best New Hotels in the World by T+L Editors

It took me two laps around the block to find Maison Barrière Vendôme’s discreet entrance, hidden beside the Off-White flagship store on the corner of Rue du Mont Thabor and Rue de Castiglione in Paris’s first arrondissement. There was no doorman out front, nor a grand marquee; just a simple gold plaque and sliding glass doors that opened into a cozy, hushed lobby washed in green and gold. Stepping in, I was greeted with a chorus of bonjour and handed a warm, bergamot-scented hand towel as staff whisked my luggage upstairs.

From the moment I arrived, I found Maison Barrière Vendôme, which was just named to T+L’s 2025 It List as one of the best new hotels in the world, remarkable in its intimacy. Having stayed at several neighboring hotels—the type with grand marble lobbies and uniformed staff nodding from every corner—I immediately felt a sense of privacy that made me feel truly at home.

Tucked a block away from the Tuileries Gardens and Place Vendôme, this new hotel from Groupe Barrière (of Fouquet’s Paris and New York fame) opened in January 2025 and still feels like an insider secret. The restored 19th-century mansion is a haven, dedicated to femininity and French craftsmanship, with each of its 26 rooms designed in homage to a legendary woman.

For my séjour, I holed up in the Simone Signoret suite, which overlooks the chic Rue de Castiglione and its grand arcades; it was like having my own petit pied-à-terre, curated by designer Daniel Jibert with the beloved Oscar-winning French actress and activist in mind. A burlap mural of a forest and a headboard upholstered in an equally enchanting fabric seemed a nod to Signoret’s role in the 1956 movie “Death in the Garden,” while the rest of the decor danced between a home and a hotel. I was grateful for the practical features, such as a writing desk and wine fridge, in the spacious living area, as well as the luxe touches, including a pillow menu and souvenir-worthy toiletries from French beauty brand Officine Universelle Buly.

The postcard-perfect view from my suite stretched across Haussmanian apartments and all the way out to Montmartre, The hotel’s location is enviable, to say the least; it’s right in the heart of the city’s most fashionable quartier, surrounded by designer boutiques, manicured gardens, and museums like the Louvre and the d’Orsay.

On my last night, while I was in a taxi heading back to the hotel from dinner, I asked my driver to let me out a bit early. He pulled up to Place Vendôme, and I crossed the empty square on foot, in total awe. Around the corner, I ducked back through the sliding doors, slid into a plush bathrobe, bid Signoret bonne nuit, and promptly tucked myself into bed. It was midnight in Paris and every bit as cinematic as you’d hope.

Here, everything you need to know about Maison Barrière Vendôme. 

The Rooms

Whether you’re looking for a cozy cocoon overlooking Rue de Castiglione or a corner apartment with views of the Tuileries, you’ll find a space to suit your needs among the nine room categories on offer here.

The hotel has 26 guest rooms, ranging from a cozy cocoon overlooking Rue de Castiglione to a corner apartment with views of the Tuileries, spread across seven floors and nine categories.

An intimate attic room—named for Marguerite Yourcenar, a Belgian-French novelist and the first woman ever elected to the Académie Française—offers a 194-square-foot perch above Paris. Courtyard rooms start at 258 square feet, while the top floors house sweeping residences, including the sprawling George Sand suite, a 1,205-square-foot apartment with two bedrooms, a fireplace, and a balcony overlooking the Eiffel Tower.

I stayed in one of the Castiglione suites, a 124-square-foot space complete with a living room and small dining area. The apartments are all equipped with full-service kitchens and wine fridges. Most importantly, the rooms are incredibly quiet, thanks to well-insulated windows and walls.

French interior designer Daniel Jibert crafted each of the 26 rooms as a homage to a pioneering woman, such as Josephine Baker, Maria Callas, and Nina Simone, incorporating delicate fabrics, hand-me-down objets d’art, and whimsical murals to channel their spirit.

The standout design element is the bespoke Pierre Frey headboard in each bedroom, a masterpiece of French craftsmanship. The murals from Atelier de Ricou are also striking, alongside elegant Lalique sconces, restored wooden beams, and glamorous Declercq curtains.

Food and Drink

Frida, the hotel’s bar and restaurant, is spread across an indoor space and a veranda, offering a vibrant tribute to its namesake, artist Frida Kahlo. The dark, low-slung ceiling creates an intimate, seductive bar area, where Murano glass light fixtures by designer Aristide Najean cast a moody glow over the geometrically-printed booth and sculptural bar space.

Outside, the glass and steel pavilion is situated on a grassy patch, resembling a secret garden, tucked into the center of the hotel. The Mexican-inspired menu is a welcome respite from the classic French fare that dominates the area; here, you’ll find fashion and art industry folks dining on tiny tacos and guacamole, and sipping jalapeno-infused margaritas.

Breakfast is also served in this space, featuring a decadent buffet with croissants from famed pastry chef Christophe Adam, the founder of L’Éclair de Génie bakeries, who helms all patisserie for Groupe Barrière. I’d highly recommend indulging in room service for breakfast, just for the spectacle of gleaming silver platters and trays piled high with jams and spreads in your private abode.  

The Spa

A fitness room and a subterranean spa with vaulted treatment rooms, a cold plunge pool, and a hammam are set to open by summer 2025.

For now, the pearlescent in-room showers and bathtubs offer a chic place to unwind, perfumed by the heavenly Officine Universelle Buly products.

Family-friendly Offerings

The hotel welcomes kids of all ages, but it’s definitely geared towards adults. From the delicate decor to the sophisticated menu at Frida and overall hushed atmosphere, Maison Barrière Vendôme is not a place where little ones can roam free, and there aren’t any kid-focused offerings or programs available. That being said, the staff is incredibly warm toward children; during my visit, I watched as a young boy tore around the lobby on a ride-on suitcase, and the staff cheerfully commented on how cool his luggage was.

There’s also the option to add a bedroom to the Castiglione Suites, creating a two-bedroom space for families or groups of friends. Similar to other Barrière hotels, Maison Barrière Vendôme’s in-the-know concierge can put together a family-friendly itinerary to help you make the most of your stay. 

Accessibility and Sustainability 

Most guest rooms are accessible by a singular central elevator, as is the restaurant. However, only Frida and two of the courtyard rooms are billed as accessible to those with reduced mobility.

While the hotel doesn’t make a point of sharing its sustainability efforts, Groupe Barrière is working to eliminate single-use plastics and replace them with recycled materials. For example, the Officine Universelle Buly toiletries in the bathrooms are primarily packaged in aluminum.

Location

Smack in the center of the first arrondissement, this hotel couldn’t be closer to the city’s designer boutiques and luxury jewelers, which stretch out along the postcard-perfect expanse of Rue Saint-Honoré and encircle neighboring Place Vendôme.

Beyond the potential for retail therapy, you’re well placed for cultural stimulation as well, with the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and the Pinault Collection within easy walking distance. While in the area, charming Galerie Vivienne is also a must-visit. Meanwhile, the Tuileries Gardens are just down the block, along with the Palais-Royal Garden is right around the corner.

How to get the most value out of your stay

Maison Barrière Vendôme is part of Groupe Barrière’s Infiniment Barrière loyalty program, where members get five percent off on certain rates and access to special offers. Also, keep an eye on the hotel’s website to snag potential deals, such as their opening offer of complimentary breakfast and a €100 restaurant credit during your stay.

Nightly rates at Maison Barrière Vendôme start from €650.

Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.