The 16th arrondisement in Paris, much like New York’s Upper East Side or London’s Knightsbridge, is a district synonymous with affluence and prestige. It is also the largest, with the grand Palais de Chaillot (with the ultra-cool Palais de Tokyo nearby) and the magical Bois de Boulogne park – these are just some of the delights of this beautiful area. And right in the heart of this lies a gem – La Réserve Paris. Favoured by the most discerning visitors, this is one of the secret sanctuaries that many would rather not reveal.
With 10 stunningly chic apartments overlooking the Trocadero and with views of the Eiffel Tower, a 24-hour concierge, a home chef and personal staff to prepare breakfast, do laundry and fill the (already well stocked) fridge; Michel Reybier, founder of the La Réserve group, is elevating travel beyond the realms of conventional luxury.
Effortlessly blending fine living, privacy and high design at his three La Réserve destinations (including Geneva and a Southern France resort at Ramatuelle), the personalised service at La Réserve Paris is evident from the moment you step through its discreet entrance. Here, instead of a soulless marble check-in counter, there is a charming vestibule with red velvet walls where you meet the concierge and floor manager. Your luggage is brought up and (if you wish) unpacked to your instruction, whilst you are welcomed to your apartment with a divine bottle of wine from the celebrated Château Cos d’Estournel, a St Estephe vineyard owned by Reybier).
The apartments range from one to four calming, neutrally decorated bedrooms and start at an impressive 140 square metres, going up to 300 square metres – truly a luxury in this notoriously crowded city. Each apartment is unique; number 10 has an open kitchen and stunning terrace with a panoramic view of Paris with the Eiffel Tower at the centre; apartment 1 is a triplex with its own private entrance and a 200 square metre private garden. Even apartment 4, the smallest, has space for a dining room that can seat ten. Rémi Tessier, a celebrated Parisian architect and designer, has created an oasis of spaciousness and calm within each living space in what was once a grand residence on the exclusive Avenue d’Eylau.
Although spacious, each apartment, from the sitting area with bookshelves of Assouline books to the stone Varenna kitchen, evokes a sense of an intimate home away from home (albeit a rather splendid one). The bathrooms are an immaculate blend of marble and wood and the Frette robes and pile slippers maybe the most comfortable things you’ve ever slipped into. The La Réserve toiletries deserve a special mention – a heady and exotic blend of musk and flowers so evocative that we bought a delicious candle of the scent to recreate the experience at home. In addition, there is complimentary high speed Wi-Fi, a printer and fax machine in each apartment – invaluable for working trips.
Everything about La Réserve is about freedom of choice – whether it is in-home personal care services such as massages, hair styling, manicures, pedicures or meal requests. If you prefer, they will order directly from any restaurant in the area and prepare it for you – it’s like room service but with so many more choices than a hotel. When we left, we were given such a fond farewell that our UBER driver actually thought we lived at the premises. With such attention to detail, La Réserve Paris represents the latest vanguard of luxury living, one that we hope to see more of worldwide. Until then, it truly is in a class of its own.
by Nicola Kavanagh
La Réserve Paris Apartments, 10 place du Trocadéro, 75116 Paris, France
Tel: +33 1 53 70 53 70