Boucheron

How Jewelers Are Leading the Next Generation of Design Hotels

"Place Vendôme is one of the most distinguished shopping quarters in the world. And since the Ritz reopened in 2016, it’s been possible to pound the honey-colored expanse, then tumble straight into the smartest beds in the city. But imagine not even having to make the short stroll; imagine staying in a private residence right in the heart of the neoclassical square. Jewelry house Boucheron is a maison that’s used to firsts—it was Frédéric Boucheron who opened a boutique here in 1893, prompting other jewelers to follow. Now, 126 years later, after a full-scale renovation of the store, an apartment above it will be available to the most special of guests. Staying at Le 26 (the name of the one-bedroom pad) feels like the ultimate jewelry lockup, as if you’ve bypassed security and snuck upstairs unnoticed. Aside from the glorious mix of old and new, it’s this extra level of naughtiness that makes it so enticing. Boucheron has called in the big guns to ensure that the space is a reverential blend of original features peppered with bespoke design classics. Michel Goutal, France’s chief architect of historic monuments, was tasked with overseeing the restoration of parquet floors, paneling, and fireplaces, and interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon conceived each room by paying homage to nature, one of the jeweler’s main themes. Enter the dining room and a lawn-like carpet of tufted green lies underfoot, climbing up the walls in a weirdly wonderful way, illuminated by a restored Baccarat chandelier. The sitting room is an ode to the sea in ombré blues and creams, with a Lehanneur coffee table evoking a wave frozen in time. A 24-hour butler is here to take care of any food cravings, and concierge services are provided by the Ritz. So how can one enjoy this ultimate sleepover? If you’re a friend of the maison, you may be invited to stay, or you could inquire in the boutique. But this is the accommodation equivalent of a piece of Boucheron fine jewelry, with a price tag that’s shared on request—only ask if you can definitely afford it. —Jessica Diamond"