La Défense is a 5 star Parisian hotel that offers a great experience if you don’t mind a walk to the centre of the city. The location is great, a little way outside the main city. It’s relatively quiet with a 30 Euro cab ride into the city centre.
The venue is an impressive brownstone building with unfussy architecture and square windows throughout. The inside is modern and comfortable, just as you would expect from Paris. The design is subtle and takes a little while to digest, but once you “get it,” it’s a really nice place to be.
We were greeted at the door and escorted to reception where we were quickly checked in and on our way. We had a Junior Suite, which was a well-appointed space with high quality furnishings, large living area and separate bedroom. It wasn’t the largest suite we have ever stayed in but it wasn’t exactly cramped either.
“For a five star hotel, it has everything.”
The living area had a sofa, large LCD TV, BOSE sound system and a Nespresso maker. The windows opened and let in a lot of light. The bedroom is dominated by the large double bed, which was lovely and comfortable. There were plenty of bed coverings and pillows to go round and we slept very well on it.
At first glance, the bathroom looks to be open to the bedroom. Only once we figured out that the divider was smart glass and went opaque when we hit a switch did we relax. The bathroom was of a good size and had a separate bath and shower.
The rest of the hotel reflected the high quality furnishing and outfitting we experienced in our suite. The public areas were pristine, with smart staff bustling away quietly and guests lounging around reading newspapers. The hotel also has a gym, spa and relaxation areas which were of a very high quality.
Our time at La Défense was very positive. For a five star hotel, it has everything. Great service, high quality furniture and a great guest experience. We would visit again.
The Bill: £180 per night
