Hotel Hana, a piece of Japan in Paris

It's possible to get a change of scenery without traveling... Parisians can now experience this for themselves at the Hotel Hana, the chic 5-star hotel inaugurated last January just a stone's throw from the Opéra and Rue Sainte-Anne. Taking advantage of its location - this street is the most Japanese street in Paris! - interior designer Laura Gonzalez and artistic director Olivier Leone have imagined a haven infused with Japanese aesthetics, punctuated here and there by Parisian touches.

Right from the entrance, the tone is set with a sumptuous bar that's already sold out. The warm, exotic ambience is to blame - 1950s armchairs, a large velvet-covered banquette with large flowers printed in kimono-style relief, and a counter lined with bottles of the finest whiskies, liqueurs and sakes. The Hanabi restaurant follows the same spirit, with its raku tables (a traditional Japanese ceramic technique) and open kitchen, where executive chef Roberto Sanchez implements a menu devised by young chef Shirley Garrier. Our favorites? The shiitake risotto, the somen salad with marinated seasonal vegetables, the bavette with sancho pepper sauce and the magnificent Okinawa sweet potato crème brûlée...

The change of scenery continues upstairs, as the 26 rooms and suites magically distill Japanese serenity. The washi paper-wrapped walls are inspired by traditional Japanese sliding partitions, the materials - straw, iroko wood with its golden sheen - seem to have come straight from the Far East, as do the lamps that resemble traditional lanterns, casting a delicate chiaroscuro over the narrow streets of Kyoto. All are extended by beautiful bathrooms that bring their own score, with vintage furniture reminding travelers that we're just a stone's throw from the Opéra and its Belle Époque spirit. The result? The result is a flawless blend of warm, minimalist settings, where every detail contributes to the essential balance that makes them so aesthetically pleasing. It's worth noting that this feat is the work of the finest (French) artisans, Laura Gonzalez's fellow travelers, such as Atelier Roma, whose sumptuous metal fresco is inspired by Japanese calligraphy. Last but not least? Hana, the wellness area that further extends the hotel's travel inspiration, with cabins featuring Kobido and Reiki treatments and mas - sages. sages (in partnership with Lymfea, an expert in holistic massage), a fresco depicting traditional fish images from the Edo period and, here and there, a few ikebana compositions, perfect signatures of the place. Hana means " flower " in Japanese...

Laura Gonzalez, architect

Why did you choose to combine French and Japanese spirits?

Laura Gonzalez: This project is the fruit of an inspired collaboration with my partner, artistic director Olivier Leone. We're both passionate about Japanese culture, and this project grew out of our desire to create a place that harmoniously blends the urban effervescence of Paris with Japanese influences, which are quite present in the neighborhood. A place where I also wanted to infuse poetry by playing on the diversity of materials and textures.

How did you exploit the codes of Japanese aesthetics?

L.G.: In this project, I paid particular attention to the details that reflect the spirit of Japan. Every element was designed to offer visitors an immersive, authentic experience. My ambition was to transcend the hotel concept to create a true Japanese cocoon, inspired by the 1900s. I loved the exercise, and the result is quite unexpected. An intimate, warm and elegant place that mixes the codes of both cultures. Like the Japanese flowers scattered around the first floor, which also evoke the rich fabrics of the Belle Époque.

Did some of the pieces come from Japan? Others specially made for the site?

L.G.: I favored the use of natural materials such as iroko wood and raku ceramics, blending Japanese authenticity with refinement. I called on several craftsmen - Sonja de Monchy, Atelier Roma and Signature Murale - who use natural, luxurious materials such as wood, stone, leather and mineral plaster to dress the walls. Most of the pieces were sourced in France, and I worked mainly with French artisans on this project.

This article is taken from the Paris Île-de-France 2025 guide. You can find it in bookshops or in our online store.