T+L’s Hotel Review of Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris

Hôtel Lutetia has long been a cultural landmark on Paris’ Left Bank. Its striking blend of art nouveau and art deco has drawn generations of artists, writers, and tastemakers—from James Joyce, Henri Matisse, and Picasso to Catherine Deneuve and Hedi Slimane. The hotel first opened in 1910 by the founder of iconic Parisian department store Le Bon Marché and underwent a restoration by French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte in 2018. Earlier this year, it joined the Mandarin Oriental portfolio as the company’s second outpost in the City of Light.

“This transition preserves the historic and Parisian soul of the hotel while bringing Mandarin Oriental’s global expertise, elevated service, and innovative programming,” says Jean-Pierre Trevisan, the managing director of Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris. “Guests can expect a richer, more immersive luxury experience that honors the past while embracing the future.”

As I arrived at Lutetia on a rainy afternoon, the hotel’s iconic name glowed on its curved facade against the gloomy sky. Inside, the atmosphere was classically Parisian and artfully modern. Its elegant Brasserie Lutetia hummed with energy, welcoming not just hotel guests but also locals who’ve long considered this corner of Boulevard Raspail and Rue de Sèvres a favorite meeting point.

“Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris is more than just a hotel—it’s a living icon of the Left Bank,” Trevisan tells me. “With its deep artistic roots, storied history, and reimagined elegance under Mandarin Oriental, it invites travelers to experience the true essence of Paris.”

Below is my full review of Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris.

The Rooms

Lutetia has 184 guest rooms and suites. For the quintessential Parisian stay, book an Eiffel Deluxe Room with Balcony. Located on the hotel’s upper floors, this room category boasts sweeping views of Paris’ most prominent landmark, the Left Bank, and Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

Each of the hotel’s Signature Suites has a distinct design narrative. Suite L’Atelier is a light-filled artist workshop-inspired space with private terraces, while Suite Amour offers an intimate top-floor escape, complete with a marble bathroom, balconies with panoramic views, and a separate living room. Suite Litteraire pays tribute to the hotel’s rich literary legacy, featuring a curated library, while the Grand Suite Literraire expands on the theme with two bedrooms and a separate workspace.

Suite Parisienne Isabelle Huppert nods to the acclaimed Academy Award-nominated French actor with curated art and couture motifs. Two Josephine Baker Suites celebrate the legendary performer with panoramic views from expansive windows.

“With sweeping views of the city, spacious private terraces, and elegant interiors that honor both Parisian heritage and contemporary design, the suites offer a refined and deeply memorable experience,” Trevisan says.

Food and Drink

During the Jean-Michel Wilmotte-led renovation, Brasserie Lutetia went back its original layout with two expansive dining floors. Trevisan explains that “the clientele is primarily local, drawn to the elegant yet artistic ambiance that feels quintessentially Parisian.”

Here, international staples like avocado toast sit alongside decadent local offerings like lobster omelette and crêpes. By lunch and dinner, the brasserie’s seafood counter takes center stage, with French oysters, towering seafood platters, poached langoustines, whole lobster, and crab served with house-made mayonnaise. One of the signature dishes here is the classic sole meunière, sole filet, served with a sauce of brown butter, parsley, and lemon.

Equally vibrant is Bar Josephine, named after the legendary singer Josephine Baker, a regular in Lutetia’s storied past. With its sweeping frescoed walls and opulent ambiance, the bar offers a glamorous setting for evening cocktails and conversation. Live music adds to the buzz, drawing a mix of visitors and Parisians alike. This year, the cocktail menu is presented as a comic book that features the Paris Latino, an oaky concoction of Zacapa Gran Solera rum, Tio Pepe sherry, bitters, and flavored syrup. (The Left Bank, fittingly, includes the lively Latin Quarter.)

For a more relaxed, yet still elevated, experience, Le Saint-Germain has an all-day menu beneath a painted glass ceiling by artist Fabrice Hyber. On weekends, the Salon Saint-Germain Afternoon Tea is a highlight, featuring sweet and savory delicacies s by pastry chef Nicolas Guercio. In the evening, chef Alessio Maselli presents an Italian menu that spotlights seasonal ingredients.

Tucked discretely within the hotel, Bar Aristide is the hotel’s speakeasy-style hideaway that feels more like a private members’ club. Part cocktail bar, part cigar lounge, it channels the spirit of Saint-Germain’s jazz age. Its moody atmosphere is matched by a clever cocktail list, where each drink is named after a famous alternative music album.

Activities and Experiences

Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris has one of the capital’s most desirable addresses in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The area, once famous as the gathering place of intellectuals, artists, and philosophers, is so rich in culture and character that visitors might not even feel the need to seek out curated activities. But for those who do, the hotel’s concierge team is on hand to make reservations, set up a private shopping experiences at Le Bon Marché, or arrange other bespoke pursuits.

Architecture enthusiasts can book a private modernist architecture tour, chauffeured in a classic car through the city’s elegant streets to discover works by celebrated French architects. The day culminates with a gourmet picnic at the storied Maison Louis Carré, a private house designed by Alvar Aalto, in Bazoches-sur-Guyonne, 25 miles southwest of Paris.

For a more indulgent escape, guests can journey to the Taittinger Estate in Champagne—again, by vintage car—for an exclusive tasting. The experience concludes back at the hotel with a Champagne-paired dinner at Brassier Lutetia, prepared by chef Patrick Charvet.

The Spa

The hotel’s Akasha Spa invites guests into a sanctuary inspired by Eastern philosophies merged with contemporary wellness practices. Highlights include a 56-foot indoor pool, a hammam, and a curated menu of multi-hour treatments.

Family-friendly Offerings

The hotel offers connecting rooms, babysitting services, children’s menus tailored to young palates, and personalized welcome amenities. The family room booking option consists of two connecting Deluxe Rooms with a balcony, and can have two king-size beds or a king-size bed and two twin beds. Children ages five to 16 are also welcome in the spa area, under the guardianship of an adult, during specific hours of the day.

Accessibility and Sustainability

From energy-efficient operations and waste reduction programs to responsible water management and partnerships with local suppliers, Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris priorotizes sustainability inititiaves that are in line with Mandarin Oriental Group’s ethos.

As for accessibility, the hotel is equipped with adapted rooms, elevators, and public spaces. “It’s designed to offer seamless comfort for guests with reduced mobility, ensuring that all travelers enjoy a refined and welcoming experience,” Trevisan says.

Location

Set within Paris’ Left Bank in the 6th arrondissement, Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris is within walking distance of some of the city’s most notable cultural and historical spots like the Luxembourg Gardens, Musée d’Orsay, Hôtel des Invalides, along with a number of boutiques, art galleries, and historic cafés.

“Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris is the only officially recognized Palace hotel on the Left Bank of Paris,” Trevisan explains, refering to a prestigious category of distinguished hotels across France and its overseas territories.

Book Now

Members of the Mandarin Oriental portfolio’s Fans of M.O. membership program receive early check-in, late check-out, daily breakfast, and dining credits at select properties.

The hotel’s most current discounts and packages can be found on its website.

Nightly rates at Mandarin Oriental, Paris start from €1,280 ($1,486).

Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.