Tucked into a corner of the Place du Capitole, this four-star, Thirties-inspired hotel reopened in 2008 with 47 rooms by Jean-Philippe Nuel designed around the theme of aviation as espoused by the life of France’s beloved author and aviation hero, Antoine de St. Exupéry. The resultant blend of streamlined Art Deco and Italian contemporary design creates an atmosphere evocative of the golden age of travel – when hotels, airplanes, and cruise ships were the realm of the wealthy and cosseted.
Inspired by the original Toulouse to Saint-Louis, Senegal air route, the decor includes quotations from St. Exupéry, while large video screens and black and white archival photos recall the glory days of Hollywood photographers such as Horst and Cecil Beaton. As for the comely staff, they look like a corps of “Little Princes” ready to swing from a star.
Initially, it’s all a bit overwhelming, akin to parachuting through clouds, but perhaps not surprisingly, you sink as quickly into the aviation fantasy as you would into a pillowy, white cloud. The rooms are like private apartments – or staterooms on a Zeppelin cruising through the night sky – complete with Nespresso machines, complimentary WiFi, and – get this – complimentary mini-bar. This is flying without the headache, replaced by a sense of lightweight joy.
LINK: Le Grand Balcon
