Hidden behind an elegant carriage entrance in Paris’s 8th arrondissement, Maison Bauchart is a discreet collection of luxury suites, apartments and lofts just moments from the Champs-Élysées and Avenue Montaigne. Set within a historic private residence, the property combines grand Parisian architecture and original period details with contemporary interiors, creating the feeling of a private pied-à-terre rather than a traditional hotel. It is a particularly well-placed base for those wanting the city’s fashion, culture and dining scene on the doorstep, without sacrificing privacy. The Hotel Maison Bauchart comprises eight suites and two exceptional lofts, with options ranging from intimate one-bedroom retreats to privatising an entire floor for a three-bedroom retreat designed for families and groups of friends. Interiors balance the character of the historic building – think high ceilings, period details and elegant materials – with modern comforts and fully equipped kitchens. The two lofts occupy the former stables of the private residence, opening onto a beautifully planted patio. Each stay also includes a 24-hour concierge and butler service, offering everything from unpacking to organising fresh bouquets. Amenities The experience is centred around privacy and personalised service. Guests can make use of their own kitchen, with the option of having a private chef prepare a meal in the residence or ordering from room service, while the hotel's concierge can arrange tailored experiences throughout Paris. The wellness facilities provide a quiet retreat after a day in the city, with treatment rooms, a hammam, sauna and plunge pool, alongside a fitness space. There is also a bar and beautifully landscaped patio for moments spent closer to home. Located on Rue Quentin Bauchart, between Avenue George V and Avenue Montaigne, Maison Bauchart puts Paris’s Golden Triangle at your feet – from haute couture and fine dining to the Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde and the Seine. But its real appeal lies in the contrast: step through the discreet entrance and the energy of the city gives way to an intimate, residential world that feels entirely your own.

Set between the village-like streets of Batignolles and the leafy paths of Parc Monceau, La Fondation is a contemporary five-star retreat bringing a distinctly creative energy to the 17th arrondissement. With interiors by New York studio Roman & Williams, the hotel combines modernist lines, natural light and rich materials with the feel of a vibrant Parisian neighbourhood – offering a different perspective on the city beyond the traditional grand-hotel addresses. The Hotel Spread across seven floors, La Fondation’s 58 rooms and suites are designed as calm, light-filled retreats, with warm materials, clean lines and considered details. Rooms range from intimate 21-square-metre Superior Rooms to the 60-square-metre Esprit Libre Suite, while the 54-square-metre Sacré Cœur Suite offers panoramic views of the basilica. Selected suites feature private balconies overlooking the Paris rooftops, with connecting options also available for families and groups. Amenities La Fondation is as much a place to spend time as it is a base for exploring Paris. At its heart is a 25-metre indoor semi-Olympic pool, alongside a spa with sauna, hammam and personalised treatments, plus a state-of-the-art fitness club with Technogym equipment, climbing wall, group classes and recovery spaces. Dining spans La Base, a lively neighbourhood brasserie on rue Legendre, and Les Ailes, a more intimate restaurant serving modern French cuisine, while the rooftop offers panoramic views across Paris – particularly atmospheric at sunset. The location is part of the appeal. Batignolles has a distinctly local feel, with independent cafés, restaurants and boutiques creating a more relaxed rhythm than the tourist-heavy centre. From here, guests can explore the surrounding neighbourhoods before returning to La Fondation for a swim, treatment or rooftop aperitif. For travellers looking to experience a more creative, residential side of Paris, La Fondation offers a fresh take on the city – part hotel, part neighbourhood clubhouse and part wellness retreat. Images courtesy of La Fondation | Romain Ricard

Set within 2,500 acres of lakes, forests, and rolling pasture in the Charente countryside of southwest France, Domaine des Étangs, Auberge Resorts Collection is a restored château estate where French heritage, contemporary art, and slow rural living converge in one of the country's most enchanting countryside retreats. The Hotel Centred around a beautifully restored 13th-century château, Domaine des Étangs offers a deeply immersive escape that celebrates the beauty of the French countryside through history, creativity, and nature. Located in the heart of the Charente region, around 45 minutes from Angoulême and within easy reach of Bordeaux and Cognac, the estate feels wonderfully secluded, surrounded by ancient woodland, wildflower meadows, and seven tranquil lakes that have shaped the landscape for centuries. The château has been thoughtfully reimagined to preserve its historic soul while embracing understated contemporary luxury. Individually designed rooms and suites pair original stonework, timber beams, and antique furnishings with bespoke contemporary pieces, natural textures, and curated artworks that reflect the estate's enduring relationship with creativity. Beyond the château, guests can choose to stay in beautifully restored farmhouses and cottages scattered across the estate, offering a more private residential experience while remaining connected to the wider Domaine. Throughout the property, art is woven into everyday life. Monumental sculptures, site-specific installations, and carefully curated exhibitions sit harmoniously within the landscape, reinforcing the estate's philosophy that culture and nature should exist in dialogue rather than in contrast. Amenities Life at Domaine des Étangs unfolds at the gentle pace of the surrounding countryside. The estate's Michelin-starred restaurant, Dyades, celebrates the richness of the Charente through a hyper-seasonal tasting menu built around ingredients harvested from the Domaine's own organic gardens, orchards, and nearby producers. Every dish reflects a deep respect for biodiversity and the changing rhythms of the seasons, while more relaxed dining experiences invite guests to enjoy leisurely lunches and rustic picnics beneath the estate's ancient trees. Wellbeing is equally connected to the natural environment. Housed within a converted mill overlooking the water, the estate's spa offers holistic treatments inspired by the surrounding landscape, alongside yoga, meditation, and outdoor wellness experiences designed to encourage rest and reconnection. Guests can also explore the extensive grounds on foot, by bicycle, or by rowing boat, discovering sculpture trails, forest paths, and peaceful lakes hidden throughout the property. Experiences are intentionally rooted in the estate itself, from beekeeping and garden tours to artist residencies, painting workshops, horse riding, fishing, and stargazing beneath some of southwest France's clearest night skies. Families are encouraged to engage with the landscape through nature-based adventures, while wine enthusiasts can explore nearby vineyards and the historic Cognac region. Beyond the estate, guests are perfectly positioned to discover the cultural richness of the Charente, with medieval villages, Romanesque churches, and artisan producers all within easy reach. Yet Domaine des Étangs remains a destination in its own right – a place where history, art, gastronomy, and the quiet beauty of rural France come together to create one of the country's most distinctive luxury escapes.