213 rue de la Croix Nivert, 75015 Paris

Hôtel Vice Versa

Name: Hôtel Vice Versa
Address: 213 rue de la Croix Nivert, Paris, 75015, FR
Rating: 4.25

Hotel 4-star in Paris

Presentation

Vice Versa Hotel occupies a discreet building on Rue de la Croix-Nivert, in the 15th arrondissement. From the outside, nothing hints at what awaits behind the door.

You first step into a lounge that is almost entirely white, with soft sofas and gentle light. Designer Chantal Thomass wanted the ground floor to evoke paradise, before the seven floors each tell the story of one of the seven deadly sins. The idea dates back to the hotel’s opening in 2012, and it still holds true: thirty-seven rooms, seven worlds, from floor to ceiling.

As you move up through the floors, the atmosphere changes completely. On the Gluttony floor, the carpet forms a fork and the round bed brings to mind a macaron placed in the center of the room. A little higher up, Greed covers its walls with banknotes. Wrath, for its part, goes all the way with red and black: graffiti-style paintings, revolvers printed on the carpet. You may also come across Pride, with its gilding and marble in the style of an Etruscan palace, or Envy, where jewelry and high heels dress the walls like a fashion display. Sloth prefers a rural setting, a little break in the countryside right in Paris. As for Lust, everything is pink and black, with an open bathroom directly connected to the bedroom.

The classic rooms remain rather compact, which is still common in Parisian hotels of this standard. But the richness of the decor quickly makes you forget the square footage. For more space, the deluxe rooms add a bathtub between two sinks and separate toilets.

In the basement, a red-and-black hammam extends the theme. It operates by appointment only, not as a free-access facility. It is best to book your slot as soon as you arrive if you plan to use it.

In the morning, the breakfast buffet takes up a good part of the agenda: pastries, crêpes made on site, scrambled eggs, a wide selection of cheeses and cured meats. Unsold items do not end up in the trash; they are sent to charities that help people in need. In the evening, at the bar, everyone can create their own cocktail, or choose from a wine list featuring a few great French vintages.

As for the neighborhood, you are far from the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre, with a little over three kilometers separating the hotel from the major landmarks. On the other hand, the Convention metro station is a five-minute walk away, and Montmartre can be reached directly by metro. The area is particularly well suited to those coming for a trade show or congress at Porte de Versailles, just a few hundred meters away.

One final tip for breakfast: it is best not to wait too long if you want to enjoy the hot buffet while it is still fully stocked, as weekend diners tend to head early for the best seats.

Summary of a few positive reviews read on the Web

Warm welcome at reception, with a receptionist named Audrey mentioned for her kindness and helpfulness throughout the stay.
Lust-themed room with an open bathroom connected to the bedroom, decor faithful to Chantal Thomass’s world down to the finest details.
Generous breakfast, crêpes made on site, scrambled eggs and bacon, wide selection of pastries, around fifteen euros for the meal.
Porte de Versailles metro station about a five-minute walk away, convenient for reaching the rest of Paris in just a few stops.
Clean room on arrival, careful lighting in the bathroom, all-white entrance hall that sets the tone from the first steps into the hotel.
Friendly bar at the end of the day, the option to mix your own cocktail, a good atmosphere to end the evening without rushing.