Launching this month, Too Hotel heralds a new hotel concept for Paris, uniting the creative visions of architect Jean Nouvel and designer Philippe Starck.

Perched atop of one of the Tours Duo – the acclaimed skyscrapers envisioned by Nouvel, which have become defining landmarks of the 13th arrondissement – Too Hotel is the latest project from entrepreneur Laurent Taïeb, who opened Hotel Madame Reve in Paris in 2021. The 139-key property aims to disrupt the city’s hospitality landscape by offering a luxury stay at an affordable price, with every room promising bird’s eye views across the metropolis.

Starck has designed the hotel in its entirety, inventing his own take on modernity through the mixing of natural materials such as wicker and wood with chrome and cutting-edge technology. The designer’s playful and unexpected interiors explore the interplay between earth and sky, and contrast strikingly with the angular precision of the Tours Duo. Capitalising on the 360-degree vista, beds are precisely angled for optimised views, while panoramic windows add cinematic drama and floor-to-ceiling mirrors play with the light as day turns to night. The accompanying colour palette draws on the ever-evolving colours of the sky, from soft, cloud-like cream to hints of sunset orange. Bathrooms feature wide sinks and tentacular lamps that twist and wind around themselves, with baths and rainfall showers offering the chance to relax amid the clouds with Paris as a backdrop.

“It’s the tale of a castle floating above Paris, not quite Earth-bound, a place where anything is possible,” says Starck. “That floating sensation gives you a real buzz; when you’re inside the place, everything is amplified: you’re more beautiful, more in love, more creative. This castle is full of surprises, but the most stunning is its location – it hangs in the clouds. It flies over the big cities. They say it’s currently on a stopover in Paris. But when the light fades in the evening, you get a glimpse of Tokyo, Los Angeles, and many other cities across the world.”

The eponymous Too Restaurant, set within a glittering gold-ceilinged glass cube balanced above the hotel, will provide Paris a sky-high rendezvous. Powder pink walls, sophisticated furniture and vibrant murals by Pierre Monestier enrich the space, setting the scene for a lively dining experience. Led by Executive Chef Benjamin Six, the cuisine takes inspiration from its cosmopolitan setting, bound by neither tradition nor borders, offering a variety of flavours from around the world. Highlight dishes include fragrant chicken tajine, lobster tempura and a signature smokyshakshuka.

Slicing through the clouds, Too TacTac Skybar – one of the city’s highest rooftop bars at over 440ft – will allow guests to savour Paris in all its splendour as they sip a cocktail or enjoy a glass of wine. Open daily until 2am, the venue will also host live music and DJ sets. Designed as a place where cultures, populations, styles and eras converge, its interiors feature an ever-evolving digital installation evoking the fantastical landscapes of Alice in Wonderland. The bar’s 150m2 panoramic terrace is among the capital’s largest too.

Rounding out the offer is Too Chill, a nature-inspired oasis – exclusively for hotel guests – featuring three treatment rooms, a glass-walled gym, custom-made cedar wood sauna and a 10-seater outdoor jacuzzi set on the tree-lined 17th floor terrace overlooking the River Seine.

Taïeb concludes: “Too Hotel offers a heavenly getaway, a feeling of being so high up that the whole of Paris is at your feet. That view is totally awe-inspiring, you feel as though you stepped into a magical adventure.”

Design europe France hospitality Hotel Jean Nouvel paris philippe stark