Introducing Saint James

Paris has no shortage of hotels, many of which are excellent. But even in a city of riches, the Saint James stands out as a gem. A recent 12-page spread in France’s Elle Decoration is evidence of the dizzyingly gorgeous interiors by design-genious Bambi Sloan. Though, we should say attention to detail runs on a deeper level than pure aesthetics — this is a well-run place, just the kind of place that belongs on Tablet.

Suffice it to say that the Saint James is anything but typical. In Paris an hôtel particulier, a freestanding house, is unusual enough — something like the Saint James, almost a country-style château, surrounded by a wall and garden, is vanishingly rare. And now that it’s open for business as a hotel, it’s almost too much to take.

This house is over a century old, and has history to spare, but the redesign isn’t entirely a nostalgia trip. The interiors are an homage to the 19th century, not a reconstruction — antique elements combine in whimsical juxtapositions, and a contemporary logic underlies these classically styled spaces. Best of all, many of these bedrooms are given country-house space to work with, despite their city location, the suites, particularly, spreading out quite comfortably.

A chic restaurant in the well-preserved dining room and a well-equipped spa and fitness room are among the Saint James’s other country-house charms. And for all its seeming seclusion, the hotel is surrounded by some of urban Paris’s most desirable residential real estate. Thus the Saint James Club, an English-style social club, can be depended upon to draw a posh crowd.

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