Hôtel Lutetia: A Luxury Parisian Landmark with a Scandalous WWII Past
Hôtel Lutetia is one of Paris’s most iconic luxury hotels. Opened in 1910, it was built to host shoppers from Le Bon Marché, Paris’s oldest department store. It sits in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, on the Left Bank of the Seine.
The hotel is close to the Louvre, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Musée d’Orsay. High-end boutiques, art galleries, and historic cafes are within walking distance.
During World War II, the hotel was commandeered by the German military intelligence service and later served as a reception center for Holocaust survivors.
After a major renovation in 2018, Lutetia blends its Art Nouveau charm with contemporary design, offering 5-star accommodations and world-class amenities.
Rooms & Suites
The hotel has 184 rooms, including 47 suites, each designed with a mix of classic and modern touches. Many rooms offer views of the Eiffel Tower or the Parisian skyline.
Rates typically range from €1,200 to €1,500 per night for standard rooms, with suites starting around €3,000 and going up to €8,000 for top-tier options like the Presidential Suite. The latter includes private terraces, marble bathrooms, and personalized services.
Dining & Bars
Hôtel Lutetia has 4 impressive dining venues:
1. Brasserie Lutetia
This Art Deco brasserie, with its outdoor terrace, is a local favorite for both residents and visitors. The menu includes French classics like sole meunière and Burgundy snails, as well as contemporary dishes crafted by Chef Patrick Charvet. The brasserie has a strong focus on seafood specialties like oysters, lobster, and langoustines. It also features a raw bar offering high-quality shellfish platters.
Menus: Breakfast menu, French fare and seafood, desserts
Hours: open everyday from 7 AM to 10:30 PM
2. Le Saint-Germain
Located under a magnificent glass roof, this restaurant provides an elegant setting for all-day dining. It’s famous for its afternoon tea, prepared by Pastry Chef Nicolas Guercio, with a selection of pastries and confections.
Menus: breakfast menu, lunch & afternoon tea menu, refined desserts.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 10 PM; Saturday and Sunday, 10 AM to 10 PM; Afternoon Tea every weekend, 3 PM to 6 PM.
3. Bar Joséphine
with its beautiful frescoes, Bar Joséphine offers a sophisticated ambiance. It has live jazz performances from Thursday to Saturday and a menu of signature cocktails inspired by the world of comic strips.
Menus: signature cocktails, bar menu
Hours: Open daily, 5 PM to 1 AM; live music on Thursday and Friday, 7 PM to 10 PM, and Saturday, 7 PM to 11 PM.
4. Bar Aristide
A hidden gem within the hotel, Bar Aristide serves as a private club and cigar lounge. It revives the Left Bank’s jazz scene with weekly music events and a carefully curated drinks menu.
Menus: signature cocktails, original cocktails
Hours: Open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 6 PM to 1 AM.
Spa & Wellness
The hotel’s spa, Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre, features a 17-meter indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and fully equipped gym.
Guests can choose from a range of massages, facials, and beauty treatments. Yoga and Pilates classes are also available for those looking to unwind.
Customer Feedback
Guest reviews highlight the hotel’s stunning design, spacious rooms, and high-end amenities. Many praise the attentive service and luxurious touches, like daily fresh flowers in rooms.
Dining experiences stand out, with the bar offering live jazz and expertly crafted cocktails, while the brasserie delivers elegant French dishes.
Some guests mention that service can feel slow during busy hours, and others describe inconsistent staff attentiveness, particularly in the bar and brasserie. A few guests noted long wait times for room service, while others commented that certain areas, like the spa, felt overcrowded.
Some remarks about dated amenities in some rooms before the renovation and high minibar prices have also surfaced, as well as occasional reports of noise disturbances from events hosted at the hotel.
Final Thoughts
Hôtel Lutetia offers a rare combination of history, elegance, and modern comfort. It typically delivers an unforgettable experience in one of the city’s most iconic neighborhoods.