Hotel Review : Le Grand Hôtel Cayré, Paris

The Location

Having lived just steps away, I know this corner of Paris well. The neighbourhood feels like an upmarket village, with the award-winning The French Bastards boulangerie having recently opened around the corner. Le Bon Marché and Sézane are both a short stroll away, as are some of Paris’ best pharmacies, ideal if you’re planning a proper French beauty haul.

It’s also a very family-friendly area of the city; you’ll often see parents strolling the streets with scooters in tow. There’s excellent access to the metro, with Rue du Bac station just outside the hotel, plus plenty of low-key, family-appropriate brasseries nearby.

The Left Bank location is a particular advantage. Jardin du Luxembourg, the Seine’s riverside walks, and countless cafés are all within easy strolling distance, allowing both couples and families to experience Paris at a gentler, ‘live like a local’ pace.

The Design

 As you enter the hotel, you’re first welcomed by the all-day bar and relaxed lobby space. It’s the kind of place where you can sit with a newspaper and a coffee in the morning, return for a pre-dinner apéro, or linger late into the evening over cocktails.

From the moment you step inside this Miiro lifestyle hotel, there’s a sense that Parisian heritage and contemporary design have been woven into something quietly brilliant. 

The restoration of the historic Hôtel Cayré which was once a haunt for writers and artists, was entrusted to Michaelis Boyd (formerly of Soho House). Think roaring Twenties-inspired interiors that respect the building’s past, yet it still feels entirely fresh with tactile fabrics, rich materials, and playful details that feel collected rather than contrived.

Anyway, back to the hotel review! Upon entering, you’re immediately struck by the hotel’s chic yet modern design. The lobby features a mix of contemporary French interiors and classic Parisian details including a traditional French marble fireplace with large white and gold beaded mirror. 

The Rooms

Le Grand Hôtel Cayré’s 123 rooms and suites are impressively spacious, an absolute rarity in Paris, particularly on the Left Bank and beautifully design-led. Many offer postcard views across the city, with several suites enjoying views of the Eiffel Tower. I loved the complimentary Le Labo Santal 33 bathroom amenities, such a small touch, but one that instantly elevates the stay. 

It’s an excellent hotel for couples, but also quietly family-friendly. It’s ideal if you’re travelling with children however without wanting to feel as though you’re staying somewhere overtly geared towards families (if you know what I mean!).

Certain rooms can comfortably accommodate a cot on request, making it well suited to parents with babies or young children. Meanwhile Deluxe Studios feature sofa beds for older children, and there are also connecting rooms available. 

The calm, residential feel of the hotel would work beautifully for multi-generational stays, particularly if you’re visiting Paris with grandparents for a milestone birthday or special anniversary.

Food & Drink

The hotel’s restaurant, Annette, is named in tribute to the French-German writer Annette Kolb, a former resident of the original Hôtel Cayré. The brasserie marries classic French cooking with a refined, modern sensibility.

Expect perfectly cooked steak and julienne fries served in a rather decadent silver bowl, alongside a seasonal menu of French dishes, thoughtful vegetable sides, and traditional desserts done exceptionally well. Even if you aren’t staying at the hotel, I’d recommend dining at Annette for the steak frites alone.

When I ate there, it was a Tuesday evening and the restaurant was full with a mix of hotel guests and locals, always a good sign. I ended up chatting with a British woman working for Moët Hennessy, now based in Canada, who was in Paris for a wine expo. She spoke about her role focusing on non-alcoholic drinks and how heritage brands are investing heavily in alcohol-free Champagne, a fascinating insight into how even the most established maisons are responding to changing habits and younger generations drinking less.

On the topic of drinks, the hotel bar ‘Officine Bac’ (located in an old pharmaceutical dispensary), is a quietly glamorous hidden speak-easy style bar serving crafted cocktails, alongside a refined selection of rare spirits and house infusions. You’ll find it tucked discreetly behind a curtain, it’s an intimate, low-lit space, perfect for a spontaneous apéro or lingering late-night drinks (FYI it’s open Tuesday to Saturday, 6pm–1am and no reservations required).