The name suggests intimacy and encourages a degree of discretion. The atmosphere within 9Confidentiel, a new 5-star hotel in Paris’s 4th arrondissement, fully embodies the two concepts. Also, or rather especially, through the formal language chosen by Philippe Starck who oversaw the project, from its development to its construction.
The location, in the heart of the poetic Le Marais, certainly gives it an advantage, but the contribution of the, as-always, ‘enfant terrible’ of design continues to make the difference. A combination of various styles and influences creates a timeless and enchanting structure, where pastels marry light-coloured wood, brushed stainless steel, pinkish brass, and wrought iron, accompanied by sculptures by artist Yann Masseye and contemporary frescos by Ara Starck.
The 29 rooms, which include 16 Superior, 6 Club, 4 Executive, and 3 Suites, with views overlooking the rooftops of Paris, all have women’s names on their doors and embody a desire to create true boudoirs, complete with à-la-carte beauty and wellness services directly in-room. For this reason the bathrooms were designed with unique stylistic precision, clad entirely in mirrors created by artisan craftsmen, with natural stone for the floors, sinks carved out of marble, and cabochon-cut gemstones adorning the walls as a reference to a neo-classical style.
Much of the furniture was custom designed, like the chairs and cushions by Ara Starck and the rugs conceived by Philippe Starck and produced by Pierre Frey with asymmetrical pastel-coloured patterns, accompanied by yellow wallpaper decorated in shades of white, grey, and black. Even the Le Confidence cocktail bar offers a full immersion into the poetic nuances of the 1920s, reinterpreted by the well-known bartender Nico de Soto who serves drinks created specifically for the hotel, to sip while surrounded by sofas, works of art, and books. “9Confidential isn’t a hotel. It’s a daydream,” muses Philippe Stark, multi-faceted and eclectic as always.
