Among our favorite nuggets in the 20th arrondissement, and we know there are many, the Hotel Babel Belleville is a one-of-a-kind address in the capital. Between its 31 cosy rooms, its warm decor and the finesse of its restaurant, this is a spot that ticks all the boxes of a place to recommend. So, for a fleeting stopover, a meal or an idyllic night, follow the guide as we set off on the Silk Road to discover this establishment with a thousand faces.
Parenthèse enchantée à l’hôtel Babel Belleville
Nearby the brilliant rue Dénoyez, the petite rue Lemon serves as the backdrop to the Babel hotel and its summer terrace of rattan chairs. If the Tower of Babel is “the temple of the foundation of Heaven and Earth” in biblical accounts, it’s a heavy burden that rests on the shoulders of the eponymous hotel. And yet, once through the doors of the spot, a whole dreamlike universe unfolds before our eyes, and we’re teleported far, far away from the hustle and bustle of Paris.
Thanks to architect Daphné Desjeux, we find an atmosphere that invites us to travel, between orange lights, period furniture and ochre and woody tones. From the lobby right through to the 31 rooms, the oriental influence is very much in evidence, providing us with a truly sensory experience. And to get to the rooms, you’ll have to take the glass elevator, revealing on the way a beautiful 15-meter Tower of Babel painted in Indian ink.
For a night at Babel, you can enjoy a pleasant, richly decorated cocoon, perfect for total disconnection. Between the remarkable cream fabric headboards, the pretty tapestries, the carpeting and the various decorative elements, everything has been thought of to immerse us in a universe as comforting as it is exotic. It’s time to enjoy the comforts of bed, tea service, pastries and even a small speaker, and the perfect night’s sleep is in sight.
But first, let’s head for the establishment’s fabulous restaurant: Bahar. Part cocktail bar and part delicious canteen, the ground-floor spot will take you on a journey along the Silk Road thanks to a frank cuisine with a thousand spices. If you’re a fan of mezzés, make room on your table for peppers stuffed with labneh, panisse fries with zaatar, satay chicken, octopus carpaccio or lamb pressé. A real treat, but you can also share large plates for 2 or 3, such as lamb shoulder or half octopus from Brittany. Finally, it’s also in this lovely setting that you can enjoy a delicious breakfast in the morning to bring things full circle.
More than just a night in a hotel, it’s a real invitation to travel that awaits you in Belleville. An address to try out as soon as possible!
Hôtel Babel Belleville – 3, rue Lemon, 75020
Read also: A place in Paris’s 20th arrondissement voted one of Europe’s 10 best neighborhoods