The My Maison appart-hotel in Paris, located on Rue de Grenelle in the 7th arrondissement, is a five-story building with a balcony and white wooden shutters. Situated on the upscale Avenue de Lowendal, near Les Invalides, the exterior gives the impression of a residential building, which it was until recently. However, since a month ago, it has been transformed into a discreet hotel known as La Sève. Each floor now contains luxurious hotel apartments decorated tastefully and overseen by a “house mistress.” Guests can book the entire apartment with three or four bedrooms for around 1,500 euros per night on platforms like Booking or Airbnb, or rent a single room with a bathroom for approximately 300 euros and share the living room and kitchen with another traveler. Daily cleaning services, breakfast, and the option to request a chef are available.
In 2020, the building was purchased by Guillaume Lange, a Parisian financier who manages the wealth of 200 clients through a family office. With a background as a former associate at Accenture, Lange could have opted for traditional real estate exploitation but instead ventured into the growing market of apartment hotels, which are riskier but more profitable. Along with investors, he has acquired three other buildings in the 8th, 12th, and 13th arrondissements to develop a similar concept under the brand 1.75. These four operations have exceeded 50 million euros, with more acquisitions on the horizon. Other individuals, such as Edgar Suites, Madeho, Groupe WS, and HighStay, are also entering the apartment hotel industry, aiming to offer a more luxurious, stylish, and diverse option compared to standard chains like Citadines, Adagio, or Appart’City.
The new wave of boutique apartment hotel providers, including My Maison in Paris, recognizes a shifting demand among travelers for accommodations that provide kitchen and living room amenities. These concepts cater to families, business travelers, and groups of friends looking for flexible spaces that blur the lines between work and leisure. Vanguelis Panayotis, an industry consultant specializing in hotels at MKG, explains that these hybrid products are well-suited to modern lifestyles where individuals can combine work and vacation in the same place. With the rise of brands like 1.75, Black Door, and Sweet Inn, the landscape of apartment hotels in Paris is evolving to offer a more personalized and upscale experience for discerning travelers seeking a home away from home.
The trend towards boutique apartment hotels is part of a broader movement within the hospitality sector to offer unique and personalized experiences to guests. In contrast to traditional hotel chains, these boutique properties focus on creating a sense of intimacy and individuality through stylish design, personalized services, and local connections. By tapping into the desire for authentic and immersive travel experiences, these boutique apartment hotels cater to a growing segment of travelers seeking more than just a place to stay but a destination that reflects their personal tastes and preferences. As the industry continues to evolve, it is likely that more boutique apartment hotels will emerge in popular destinations like Paris to meet the demands of discerning travelers looking for a more personalized and enriching travel experience.
