Nolinski Paris - Evok Collection

The lounge bar was the highlight for me. It’s very dog friendly, and the speakeasy feel, good cocktails, and music made it a lovely place to relax after a day of sightseeing. Nolinski is a discreet boutique hotel about a five-minute walk from Le Louvre. The rooms are nicely appointed, though small, as you’d expect in Paris.

The service kept me from feeling fully won over. It came across as rather cool, and management could have been warmer. I even spent my birthday there without it being noticed. I wasn’t expecting presents, but small gestures matter in a truly hospitable place. Still, I’m giving Nolinski five stars. The hotel has real class, depth, and a rare sense of calm. It’s one of Paris’s modern hidden gems, imperfect but unforgettable. The architecture feels like a masterpiece, with every detail considered, from the mirrors and colors to the corridors and pool. It seems built out of pride, heritage, or even art, rather than just for money. The rooms are beautiful, the food is very good, and the pool is a hidden gem. Being there alone during Fashion Week was rare. Room service was exceptional, even when it came twice a day, and the doormen were the kindest people in the building.

The hotel is beautifully designed, but a late-night encounter left me deeply uncomfortable. Two male staff members stopped me and asked whether I was a guest. It honestly felt like racial profiling. I raised it with management, who said it was for “security purposes.” There are more professional, consistent ways to manage security, such as having guests tap their room cards in the elevator, instead of confronting people at random based on subjective judgments. The rest of the stay was enjoyable, but this incident left a sour taste. I hope they make their procedures more inclusive and less subjective.

The people are the reason I fell in love with this hotel. The concierge worked hard to get us reservations at restaurants we couldn’t reach ourselves, and the door staff treated us like family each day. They helped with luggage and everyday needs, and were so kind that we told management how lucky they were to have a team who really cared. My husband uses a wheelchair and needed a mobility device, like a bike attachment, to get around the city. The door staff stored it, charged it every night, looked after it, and brought it to him each morning. That made things much easier for us. Bravo! We also loved the food. We ate at the on-site Michelin star restaurant, “Le-Restaurant,” several times. It was our first meal in Paris because we were too tired to go out, and I’m glad we did. It set a high bar for dining, and some dishes were better than those at many top-rated restaurants we tried. Standouts included the Voile au Vent, omelette, leek appetizer, and fish with butter sauce, which was a portion big enough for four. Service was outstanding and personal. Breakfast was included, and we ordered it by room service every day. The food was Michelin quality and delicious, especially the baked goods, eggs, sausages, and fresh tomatoes. Each server who brought it up was wonderful and kind. I still think about the meals weeks after coming home. There was a problem with the “rolling shower” when we arrived. It wasn’t quite level with the floor, so my husband would have had trouble using it from his wheelchair. As soon as they learned about it, staff came in and installed a small temporary ramp so he could use it without difficulty. We stayed at Nolinski for the full two weeks of my 40th birthday trip to Paris, and I’ve never been treated better. We hope to return just to stay here and see the staff again. The central location is great, right by a train station and in the middle of the upper district, with easy access around Paris. The hotel’s magazine-worthy interiors, artwork, wall art, and breathtaking spa are beautiful. I rented a bike for the whole stay, and even the farther parts of the 11th were an easy ride of about 15 minutes. I can’t wait to come back. Please give the concierge and door staff a hug from us. They’re the people who keep this place going. Give them all a raise! 🥰