HOTELS FOR DREAMERS - Hotel Balzac Paris

Last week, I found myself stepping out of my comfort zone and into the heart of Paris Fashion Week. My husband usually travels with his show coordinator, but this time, I took on the role myself—coordinating our hair team backstage at the Cecilie Bahnsen show. Cecilie Bahnsen is a very talented Danish designer, known for her poetic and sculptural silhouettes, and my husband has had the privilege of working with her for many years.

With only two nights in Paris, we had just enough time to soak up the city’s atmosphere before a day working behind the scenes at the Palais de Tokyo—a striking space dedicated to contemporary art, often transformed into a Fashion Week venue.

A warm welcome awaited us. As we sank into the plush sofas in the lobby, sipping a delicate non-alcoholic aperitif, we took in the atmosphere—a mix of stylish older French couples and the unmistakable hum of Fashion Week guests. The hotel had that rare balance: lively yet soothing, elegant yet unpretentious.

Finding a peaceful hotel in the heart of Paris can be a challenge. Sometimes, you check in expecting rest, only to find yourself in the middle of a scene—music from the bar drifting up to your room, or the hum of traffic seeping through the windows. In a city, tranquillity must be sought out, making it all the more precious when you find it. After a long day filled with movement and impressions, a true retreat feels essential.

Unlike countryside hotels, where peace is woven into the fabric of the day, in a city, it is something you must create for yourself.

 

Our room was exactly that—a sanctuary. Designed with hushed elegance, its neutral palette and rich textures invited a sense of calm. The crisp white bed linen, embroidered with a delicate B, felt luxurious yet comforting. Layered curtains—one sheer, one heavy and opulent—cocooned us from the outside world, ensuring undisturbed sleep. The mattress was firm yet perfectly yielding, and the best part? Sharing it with my husband—because no luxury compares to the feeling of being beside someone you love, wrapped in the stillness of a Parisian night.

This stay made me reflect even more on how to shape our bedroom at home into the same kind of haven.

A space that feels like a warm embrace as soon as you step inside—calming the nervous system, making you feel safe, and easing you effortlessly into sleep.

 

In my opinion, the best hotel experiences are not just about the setting, but about how they make you feel. And that should be the same for your bedroom at home too.