For Those In-The-Know, The Paris Choice Is The San Regis

31.10.2023 - 14:41 / forbes.com / George V (V) / Lauren Bacall

There’s no shortage of chic hotels in Paris. But very few offer the comfort and intimacy of a luxurious Parisian apartment coupled with the five-star service of a top hotel. That is, except for the Hotel San Régis, the iconic 100-year-old gem in the tony eighth arrondissement that’s hosted the likes of Richard Avedon, Lauren Bacall, Gene Kelly, Louis Malle, Jacqueline Bisset, Romy Schneider and more.

Located in the heart of the prestigious Golden Triangle, just a few steps from Avenue Montaigne, the San Régis lures guests almost immediately with its neoclassical façade and interior design that reads more “private mansion” than typical hotel. The 30 bedrooms and 12 suites feature silken fabrics and wall coverings by Pierre Frey, Manuel Canovas, Braquenié, Hermès, Brunschwig, Sahco, Baker, Colefax, Lelievre and Edmond Petit, among others, which accent enveloping armchairs, objéts and Italian marble. European period furniture fills the bedrooms alongside shades of blue, neutrals and variations of reds and golden yellows. Overlooking the Place François Premier, four junior suites with private terraces suspend over the Paris rooftops with views of the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

The story of the San Régis is as deeply rooted in Parisian history as the decor. In 1857 Edmond Petit ordered the construction of the building as his private home. By that time, the Avenue des Champs-Elysées had already become the place to be seen for members of Parisian society. In 1923 Simon André Terrail, proprietor of the famous restaurant, La Tour d’Argent and of the palatial George V hotel, acquired the stylish residence, wishing to turn it into a luxury hotel that would be the hub of the fashion, entertainment and business worlds. The San Régis welcomed many English tourists for whom Paris was an esteemed destination.

The property owes its atmosphere as a family home to Elie Georges, who purchased the hotel in 1984. Concerned with respecting the hotel's original spirit, Georges pursued subtle renovations and updates, which he entrusted to the interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon. Georges selected the artwork and objects and had old furniture restored while acquiring paintings, sculptures and works of porcelain. Georges then called on his two brothers, Maurice and Joseph, and together they made up the family team that managed the newly renovated hotel. Together, they turned the San Régis into a five-star hotel, replete with elegance and discreet charm. The three brothers managed the hotel for 35 years before handing over the keys to Georges’ daughters, Sarah, an engineer in the cosmetics industry, and Zeina, a luxury marketing executive in 2017.

Sarah and Zeina put their own spin on the property, including a new restaurant