Review: Maison Delano

Why book Maison Delano?

While many of Paris’ top hotels shout with grandeur, Maison Delano whispers sweet luxuries within the heart of Faubourg Saint Honoré. There’s been a lot of talk about quiet luxury of late, but this actually feels like it. Emphasis on quiet – particularly during the day. The lobby is small and discreet, instead of a public spa, massages can be arranged in-room, and the shiny new 24/7 gym is hidden away in the basement. It’s not until night time that the hotel turns up the volume, literally – a DJ plays Daft Punk-style funk to a packed courtyard restaurant each night.   

Set the scene 

The landmark to look for is the Hermès flagship store, the luxury brand's largest and the most notable landmark on the Rue Du Faubourg Saint Honore in the 8th arrondissement. From the street you can spot a statue of a man on horseback flying two yellow flags on the roof. Take a right down the quiet rue d’Anjou and try not to blink – otherwise you might miss Maison Delano –  subtly signposted with a gold plaque and a branded cordoned off parking area. The location is discreet but the welcome is warm as you’re ushered inside the 18th century mansion. From the entrance you can spy the serene courtyard, the centrepiece of the hotel and lauded stage for Michelin Star Chef Dani García and the French-Andalusian restaurant La Chambre Bleue. The setting is enough to make you want to book a table – which I’m advised guests need to do, as it’s one of the most popular restaurants in Paris right now.   

The back story 

The Delano name is one that’s well known within the hotel world. It was the name in Miami in the 1990s, when the Art Deco South Beach hotel Delano – named after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt – was the place to be seen alongside Madonna and Prince. The address gained notoriety under the guise of famed hotelier Ian Shrager (Studio 54, Public hotels and The Edition group) who created the Delano as one of the first lifestyle hotels, with a focus on surrealist art – notably a translucent piano gifted by Lenny Kravitz. The glamorous pool scene has endured the decades, although it's currently on pause while the hotel undergoes renovations. Delano Vegas opened in 2014, and there are plans for locations in Seoul, Istanbul and Cartagena for the future. 

Maison Delano opened in April 2023, bringing the relaxed lifestyle concept to a 1734 mansion, built at the request of Augustin Blondel de Gagny, who served as the supervisor of the “Menus-Plaisirs du roi” for Louis XV. Inside, the building has been given respectful breath of fresh by interior designer Lázaro Rosa Violán. The mood is paired back and neutral while much of the furniture is sumptuously tactile, contemporary art by names like George Terzian and Damien Hurst adorn the walls throughout, and the sweetest citrus fragrance lingers in the air. 

The rooms

Behind the black lacquer doors lie crisp airy spaces, with white walls, sleek timber flooring and tall windows dressed in sheer white linen – a signature of the Miami locale. My bed is so high, white and fluffy it’s like sinking into a cloud. The monochromatic bathrooms are kitted out with MALIN+GOETZ amenities, and somewhat unexpectedly, remote controlled Japanese toilets with all sorts of seat warming bells and whistles. The mansion’s original grandeur is on full display in much of the 19 suites – most notably the Grand Historic Suite where the chandelier adorned gold high ceiling is a highlight.  

Food and drink

This is where the party is each night. Even when I dine at La Chambre Bleue on a drizzly Friday night – the courtyard roof is closed and the heaters are out – the restaurant is packed with a well-heeled and designer-bag toting Parisian crowd. I can only imagine the striped banquette seating surrounded by olive and banana trees will be in even more demand come summer. Especially when you see that the menu reads like a love letter to seafood. The langoustines are a must – bathed in buttery garlic with basil and wrapped in crispy pastry – and pair perfectly with an order of the grilled avocado. The paella options are plentiful, ranging from grilled octopus to rabbit, and theatrically mixed table side in a giant pan nestled on a fragrant bed of rosemary. Save room for pudding if you can – the truffle cheesecake was a delicious surprise. Following dinner, the after party is at the Delano Bar, a glowing and glossy mirrored roofed mahogany hideaway with its own street entrance.     

The neighbourhood 

Perfectly placed for designer shopping – Hermes, Comme des Garçons, Givenchy, Chanel, Cartier and Gucci are all within mere steps. Place de la Concorde is around the corner and the Louvre is a 15 minute walk away. 

The service

Warm, friendly and unpretentious. The young and bright eyed team are eager to help and chat, while being suitably discreet and attentive when dining. 

Sustainability and accessibility 

In the rooms, much of the Malin Goetz products are provided in pump bottles, while water is provided in cardboard bottles. There are three rooms within the hotel that are designed for people with reduced mobility. 

Anything else?

This is a hotel that stays up late – the restaurant DJ plays until midnight. If you’re a light sleeper, request a room that faces away from the courtyard.