Now the clocks have gone back, guests at Hôtel Dame des Art in Paris are discovering the warm welcome offered by the hotel's urban sauna experience. The hotel, which is located in the heart of Paris' creative Latin Quarter, combines this timeless wellbeing practice with a cosy sense of seasonal hygge, a handy best practice guide, and a dash of Parisian flair

​​Heat and Pause

At Hôtel Dame des Arts, stepping into the sauna is more than just a warm escape. Its design blends seamlessly with award-winning designer Raphael Navot's Nouvelle Vague aesthetic, echoing the creative wooden accents found throughout the property, including in the adjacent and strikingly-designed Fitness Studio. The sauna experience is exclusive to hotel guests and operates on a half-hourly appointment system, allowing guests the chance to relax into their own private slow-flow sauna ritual.

Saunas' many restorative qualities - including improved cardiovascular health, detoxification, muscle recovery, stress reduction and enhanced sleep quality - certainly provide a welcome restorative pause in an energetic urban setting like Paris. But do people know how to do it properly? There is an art to the most beneficial sauna involving hydration, shower temperature, movement around the high and low benches, sitting or lying down, plus adjusting the heat with just the right amount of löyly (pouring water onto the hot stones) and frond (waving a towel to distribute the steam) that elevate the experience to the next level. The Hôtel Dame des Arts sauna space comes complete with shower and changing area, plus a thoughtful guide for best practice.

Hygge in the City of Light

Beyond the sauna, Hôtel Dame des Arts offers cosy experiences to complement the cooler weather. Guests can retreat to Pimpan, the hotel's bar and restaurant, for the daily Reading Hour. This is an opportunity to curl up with a book while enjoying warming drinks like Chocolat Chaud by Hugo and crafted cocktails like the hotel's surprising signature Un Croissant S'il Vous Plait, a combination of bourbon, coffee and croissant. While the rooftop bar may soon be closed for the winter season it's still possible to enjoy the views - in fact, it's a great place to cool off after the sauna or snuggle up in a soft blanket while taking in the panoramic view over the roofs of Paris, and the sun setting behind the Eiffel Tower. 

“Winter in Paris is the perfect time to find balance and warmth as the city transitions between seasons,” says Matthieu Bernard, General Manager at Hôtel Dame des Arts. “Our sauna is just one way that guests can slow down and enjoy a pause that complements the many activities on our doorstep, whether that's enjoying a walk along the Seine, experiencing the changing colours of the Jardin de Luxembourg or embracing the energy of the Latin Quarter.”

Rooms at Hôtel Dame Des Arts start from £246 per night for a Classic room including breakfast. For more information visit www.damedesarts.com.

The sauna is open daily between 10am and 9pm. Reading Hour takes place daily between 4pm and 6pm. 

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About Hôtel Dame des Arts:

Hôtel Dame Des Arts is a four-star Parisian gem, inaugurated in 2023 and a proud member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. Designed by interior architect Raphael Navot, this charming retreat embodies the essence of the Left Bank. Located in the heart of the arts and literary district, the hotel showcases a graphic signature that pays tribute to iconic Paris. Blending nonconformity with elegance, its design draws inspiration from the legendary artists of the Left Bank - philosophers, musicians, writers, and night owls - to create a unique atmosphere reminiscent of a Nouvelle Vague film set. Housed in a 1950s building, shielded from the city's bustle, the hotel seamlessly combines a warm, intimate garden on the ground floor with its stunning rooftop bar overlooking the Parisian skyline. www.damedesarts.com