Inside a Stunning Hideaway Hotel in the Heart of Paris

Who needs one of the big splashy see-and-be-seen Paris hotels when you can be ensconced in the stylish comfort of this 17th-century townhouse built on the site of a 13th-century abbey that has just undergone an up-to-the-minute 21st-century design refresh? 

Each of the 48 rooms and suites at Relais Christine is unique, a mix of contemporary brass and marble, antiques, and Hermès and Pierre Frey textiles.

The vaulted limestone ceilings in the underground spa are a remnant of the medieval abbey. 

The garden suites feature terraces with access to the hotel’s private garden. Complimentary bike rentals are among the amenities on offer for when you're ready to venture out to explore the Saint-Germain 'hood.

Or if you can’t even bestir yourself downstairs for breakfast, dial 55 for room service. We recommend the crêpes with honey from the hotel garden, and, if you and your honey are in the mood, perhaps a bottle of vintage 2006 Dom Pérignon....