Our server at the new Renaissance Paris Republique Hotel approached us at breakfast with a friendly "So, how would you guys like your eggs?" in perfectly unaccented American English, followed by a jaunty "Sure thing," once we'd placed our order.
To be clear, this is a luxury Parisian property with all the trappings you would expect from a high-end hotel, including spacious guestrooms with great views, fine dining at Origin restaurant, signature cocktails at Martin Bar and a French Spa O, but the deliberately relaxed ambience, along with a fresh, unstuffy decor, fit with a trend I experienced in a handful of new and renovated properties in Europe this fall.
The design of the 121-room Republique, which opened this spring, clearly drew inspiration from its surrounding neighborhood, the rapidly changing Republique district.
This part of Paris glories in its multicultural, bohemian past the hotel, in fact, used to be a home for itinerant artists. And instead of dark velvets and gold faucets, the decor reflects that international influence, with African and Asian furnishings and artwork; granite, concrete and wood elements; and design motifs from nature.
Other fun touches include vintage bicycles, which guests can borrow free of charge to explore the city, and mixology kits in the guestrooms.
"We designed Renaissance Republique with the local community in mind, first and foremost. We wanted to create a neighborhood destination, as we believe this is what today's next-generation traveler seeks from a hotel stay," said interior designer Didier Gomez, who spearheaded the project.
Room rates start from $354 per night.
In London, another new five-star property, the Franklin in Knightsbridge, also reflects its neighborhood, offering a heady dose of the culture and glamor that the district is known for but with a decidedly whimsical vibe.
A breakfast platter at The Franklin in London's Knightsbridge district. Photo Credit: Felicity Long
There is nothing Old World about the hotel, despite its location in a restored Victorian townhouse within easy walking distance of Harrods, the Saatchi Gallery, the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Royal Academy and Egerton Gardens.
The interior was designed by Anouska Hempel, a former "Bond Girl" who appeared in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" and is now one of Architectural Digest's Top 100 World Designers and Architects.
"I chose Anouska to design the Franklin because ... she has a very elegant touch and created an eclectic and charming hotel with strong personality and Italian influences," said Elisabetta Fabri, president and CEO of Starhotels Collezione, of which the property is a member.
Hempel's confident design sense hits you in the face the minute you enter the tiny lobby, dominated by mirrors, dramatic arched interior windows, geometric designs on the floor and dramatic tones of black, silver and white throughout.
The overall guest experience at the 35-room boutique hotel, which opened in August, is akin to being invited onto a movie set where attentive staff seem to enjoy making you feel like the star attraction.
Amenities include a champagne and martini bar, a restaurant overseen by Michelin-star chef Alfredo Russo and a hammam.
Rates start at about $850.
The trend among established luxury hotels to transition from stately and formal to fresh and modern is also evident in two recently renovated properties in London: the Berkeley, also in London's Knightsbridge, and the Athenaeum Hotel & Residences in Mayfair.
The Berkeley completely revamped its facade this year, adding elements of glass and steel and flooding the interior with natural light.
The redone lobby and, most notably, the transformed Blue Bar, which is set within a glass extension at the front of the property and offers a menu of color-coded cocktails and a dizzying menu of whiskeys, are jewels in the crown of the renovation.
The property also just debuted 10 suites, designed by John Heah, who added glass terraces, contemporary decor elements and original art to transform the interior spaces.
Other amenities include Marcus, a two-Michelin-star restaurant; a French brasserie; the Pret-a-Portea afternoon tea room; and a health club and spa with a rooftop pool.
The Berkeley is a sister property to Claridge's and the Connaught, and rates start at about $640 a night.
The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences, meanwhile, unveiled a multimillion-dollar refurbishment over the summer that completely transformed the first-impression and check-in experience.
The check-in area in the Athenaeum Hotel & Residences in London's Mayfair district. Photo Credit: Felicity Long
Now, instead of a front desk, guests are escorted to lounge chairs while the reception staff come to them to process the check-in in electronically. The dramatic two-story lobby brings the outside indoors with floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over Royal Green Park.
This also is a property that takes its cocktails seriously, and the Bar, a new venue overseen by Giancarlo Mancino, who is described as a cocktail guru, offers inventive drinks incorporating natural ingredients along with premium liquors.
The redone Galvin restaurant serves up gourmet versions of British classics created by brothers and Michelin-star chefs Chris and Jeff Galvin, but the ambience is deliberately low-key, with simple place settings and an informal vibe.
The five-star property features 132 rooms, 12 suites, 18 residences and the Penthouse Suite as well as 18 adjoining Victorian-era residences.
Rates start at about $373 per night.