Hotel Snapshot
Tucked on a quiet street in Paris’ Marais district, the unassuming façade of Boudoir des Muses hides its history: It was once a brothel, an 18th-century theater, and a convent, before being abandoned for more than a century. Since the end of 2024, it’s been a boutique hotel with 28 rooms and a lot of attitude. The theater was closed in 1807 by order of Napoleon, because “the women who performed there were said to have too loose morals,” and then it became Le Couvent des Filles du Calvaire.
The cozy hotel becomes a vibrant community gathering space in the evenings, when the open, octagonal atrium hosts everything from poetry readings to aerial ballerinas to drawing workshops and more. And on the basement level are two lavish private spas bookable for solo, couple, or small group experiences, offering a unique respite from the city.
Design & Character
Designed by Maison Malapert, a Parisian contemporary interior design studio, the building’s past lives have informed its design as a hotel, with not-so-subtle religious references turned on their head and sensual women playing a prime role. A serpent-patterned carpet referencing the Garden of Eden invites visitors into the Boudoir des Muses, leading from the entrance to the marble reception desk that’s topped with a confessional grille. In front, a curvy couch welcomes guests into this space, which symbolically becomes a purgatory before entering the Boudoir des Muses.
The heart of the hotel is the dramatic octagonal atrium, crowned by a grand glass and steel dome from the Directoire Era that lets natural light stream in. All furniture was custom-designed by Maison Malapert, blending varnished wood, marble, brass, and graphic-patterned velvet. Spiraling galleries lead to the rooms and suites across five floors, historically designed as the first lodges for live performances. A wooden band going around the full atrium is inscribed with Latin phrases from the Apocalypse, while fake palm trees create graphic shadows on the walls. A graphic black parquet floor lends to the atmosphere of a Marais mansion, while a grand wooden staircase leads up to the rooms. The center of the room features a giant cross that functions as a housing for the velvet banquettes that are seating for the scattering of tables. Curved chairs in green and pink velvet provide more seating, and curio-style shelving houses female form sculptures, religious-style candles, ceramic plates with crosses, and wine bottles.
The Rooms
While the public areas can lean more toward the religious part of the theme, the rooms are private cocoons of subtle sensuality. The 28 rooms include four suites with separate living rooms and feature plush bedding, jewel-toned cushions, cream velvet curtains, and boucle wool seating. We loved the comfy beds featuring fabric headboards and built-in nightstands (conveniently equipped with outlets and lights) with sensual portraits of women hanging above. Bathrooms are gray marble with black sinks and tubs. Sculptural vases, curvy wooden side tables and a female-body-shaped candle are thoughtful details that add the right amount of detail and character without hitting you over the head with the sensuality theme.
Some rooms feature period wooden columns, showcasing the property’s 18th-century heritage, while others open onto the rooftops of Paris. Located under the sloped roofs, Le Loft is the largest accommodation, with room for up to six people. With exposed beams, vintage rugs, a sofa bed, and two double beds, it features both a shower and a bathtub, as well as a panoramic view of the Atrium.
Food & Drink
The bar offers a casual snack menu with a selection of shareable plates like fresh stracciatella with seasonal vegetables, salmon sashimi, and beef cecina with truffle butter. Cocktails include reimagined spritzes (with melon liqueur and jasmine infusion) and other signature cocktails, named for muses and goddesses like Sister Antoinette of Sainte Scholastique, whose drink features Calvados, apple syrup, lemon juice, milk, and Morgon wine, and Eve, which we sampled on a night when we’d already drank enough booze: it has hydrating aloe vera juice, lime juice, coconut water, pandan—and no alcohol.
In the morning, an ample breakfast buffet (25 Euros) is laid out on the bar for guests with pastries, breads, fruit, French cheeses, eggs, and charcuterie.
Amenities
There are the aforementioned private bathing salons and the bar that offers a buffet breakfast to guests in the morning.
But the best amenity is the atrium’s diverse programming. The combination bar-stage always has something interesting going on. When we were there, it was an open poetry reading with someone giving tarot card readings off to one side. The atrium is also equipped with an aerial rope from the ceiling, and there are often aerial gymnastics and dance performances. Musicians, authors, burlesque, and circus-style performers are among the typical shows.
Spa & Wellness
One of our favorite parts of this hotel is tucked away in the basement. There, behind two doors, hide two incredible bath salons, bookable only for private sessions. Venus is adorned with pink and emerald green tones and houses a whirlpool and sauna. We indulged in the spectacular Hédoné, which is carved from original, ancient stone and features a large heated pool and a hammam. The privacy and opulence hidden away were totally unexpected, and after a long day of touring the city, the relaxation and opulence were just what we needed before regrouping for a night out.
Both spaces are designed as dimly lit bath salons, dedicated to relaxation and bodily pleasures with double rain showers, a sauna, bar, luxe vanity area, and sound system where you can play your own music via Bluetooth. The bronze ceiling, large banquettes, and polished concrete floor inlaid with golden wave patterns in zellige tiles combine to offer a warm, romantic, and relaxing environment.
Location & Neighborhood Recs
Located in Paris’s Le Marais, the hotel is located in the 3rd Arrondissement, on the quiet Rue de Saintonge, and is walkable to tons of shops, cafés, and bars. The district is certainly vibrant during the day, but nighttime is when things really come alive. It’s a bit far from some of the more touristy landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, but that only means there are fewer visitors and things are slightly more affordable.
Fast Facts
Location: Paris, France
The Vibe: A sexy, intimate respite from the bustle of the city with a sensual design that beckons artists and creatives.
Rating: 5 stars
Rooms: 24 rooms, 4 suites
Food + Drink: A bar with cocktails and share plates open in the evening, and a breakfast buffet available to guests in the morning.
Amenities: Two private bath salons and a performance area that hosts diverse events ranging from dance to music to readings and more.
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The private bath salons are ideal for solo relaxation or a romantic escape.
What’s Nearby: It’s close to the Musée National Picasso-Paris and the Musée des Archives Nationales, plus tons of boutiques, bars, and cafes
Any Personal Neighborhood Recs?: Walk 10 minutes to Boulangerie Utopie for excellent pastries and breads, and five minutes to Merci, one of the city’s best concept shops.
Pricing: Rooms from $355 per night
Closest Airport: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is about a 40-minute drive away, and Orly is only about a 30-minute drive. Both are about an hour on public transit.
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