“Thank god we’ll always have Paris”. The French capital has so much to offer, with some of the most important museums in the world, excellent restaurants and bars, picturesque streets and iconic monuments. There’s beauty on every corner in Paris. But with so many hotel options, it’s hard to find unique concepts. 25hours Terminus, in Paris, a grand and colourful new addition to the portfolio of cosy hotels located around the world, is stunning.

The fantastic collection of 25hours hotels and meeting rooms, includes locations in Berlin, Florence, Hamburg, Munich, Vienna and Zurich among other cities. It was founded by four entrepreneurs Christoph Hoffmann, Kai Hollmann, Ardi Goldman and Stephan Gerhard in 2005.

As part of Ennismore, a hospitality company rooted in culture and creative networking, the global organisation was built by charismatic-business personalities focused on bringing the best in contemporary hospitality. Established in 2021, Ennismore is a joint venture with Accor and it brings amazing spaces, designers and restaurants to the cities hosting these remarkable hotels in the world. 25hours, the brand within this umbrella, is no exception!

Very central, 25hours Terminus Nord, in Paris, is conveniently located opposite Gare du Nord, which proves easy when travelling from London or Amsterdam, and using Eurostar to come to the City of Lights. Located above one of the most prestigious brasseries (eponymous), 25hours Terminus Nord is chic.

Cultural sites, nice stores and other wonderful Paris landmarks are walking distance. “Each time 25hours Hotel opens a new property, the concept of the hotel is based on its location : the 25hours Hotel Terminus Nord is an homage to the lively spirit of the exuberant 10th arrondissement and the cultural diversity of its inhabitants.” 25hours Terminus Nord Marketing Manager, explained to Art is Alive.

The hotel is a love letter to the energetic spirit of this neighbourhood and its residents. Jacques Ignace Hittorff, the 19th century French architect designed the modern Gare du Nord and its majestic facade, while the Chemin de Fer du Nord company held the site built between 1861 and 1864. The Musée Gustave Moreau, Musée Grévin and Arts et Métiers are all very close to 25hours Terminus Nord, but also Sacré Coeur. Some rooms even overlook the grand facade of the station and Sacré Coeur can be seen in the distance contrasting with the sculptures of the station. It’s one of the most iconic and gorgeous views of Paris!

Ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, plans call for significantly increasing the station’s footprint and passenger capacity, developing on-site amenities and building a new departure terminal. This renovation will make the Gare du Nord the biggest train station in Europe. 25hours Terminus Nord couldn’t be more strategically located.

In the middle of the 19th century, Napoleon III commissioned Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann with the urban transformation of Paris. Haussmann changed the physicality of the city by building wide avenues, opulent facades and countless new boulevards. The historic building in which the hotel is now located follows the architectural direction of this period and serves as the backdrop for 25hours Terminus Nord.

“Inspired by the picturesque, Parisian atmosphere of the 10th arrondissement, the lifestyle in this exuberant district with its inhabitants from all corners of the world was a leitmotif for the design of the 25hours Hotel Terminus Nord. For a long time, this burgeoning district was simply a multicultural workers’ area right in the centre of the city. The area between the town hall on the Boulevard du Faubourg Saint-Martin, the Place de la République and the Canal Saint Martin belonged to the “petits gens”, the little people. Immigrants from north Africa, India or China make the urban landscape even today with their restaurants and shops. It was very important to the creators of the 25hours Hotel Terminus Nord to honour these references to the history of the 10th arrondissement to instill them time and again into the concept of the hotel. Also to inspire guests to set out from the hotel and discover the district by themselves.” the hotel Marketing Manager continues.

Boasting 237 rooms, Terminus Nord yet feels intimate with excellent personable service. Upon entrance, the atmosphere is like a multicultural and urban haven at Gare du Nord with various art books (Françoise Gilot by TASCHEN among others), unique products and information. Guests are immersed into an urban and amazing ‘bazaar’. Staff are very nice, hospitable and very friendly. The hotel motto “Come as you are” is written across all materials and acts as a great reminder that everyone is welcome.

In addition to the rooms, the hotel has a locker reception and a snack kiosk on the ground floor, as well as a co-working area, a bar and a restaurant on the first floor. Two exclusive private dining areas offer space for meetings or private events. The concept of 25hours Terminus Nord is truly 360, welcoming, and original.

In order to capture the energy and bustle of the 10th arrondissement, design firm Dreimeta worked with the Parisian group Visto Images to create a whimsical collage of vivid, colourful wall murals in the vein of street art. INVADER, the mysterious artist who places collages of the legendary 80s game in cities around the world is featured in this great hotel. A collector even gave 25hours Terminus Nord, several pieces that serve the decor.  Space Invaders artworks are hung in front of the entrance of each room, as an extension of street culture. The property also has hidden details throughout its spaces.  

DREIMETA, design agency based in Germany, partnered with 25hours on this project. “The creative team of Armin Fischer, Andrea Kraft-Hammerschall and project manager Esther Anthony developed a multifaceted concept for the new hotel together with the 25hours team.” Terminus Nord is now the fifth collaboration between 25hours and DREIMETA, following the two Hamburg hotels, 25hours Hotel Number One, Altes Hafenamt, as well as the 25hours Hotel in Vienna and the 25hours Hotel the Royal Bavarian in Munich. “We were entrusted with the illustrious task of breathing new life into this remarkable location and once again designing a hotel that surprises guests and invites them to experience a little adventure. This time the journey takes you to the lively district around the train station, the 10th arrondissement – a melting pot of different cultures.” DREIMETEA teams said.

These creative companies were also supported by the Parisian art consultancy agency VISTO IMAGES. The company curates art collections for hotels, companies and private residences. Co-founder Alex Toledano knows every side of the 10th Parisian arrondissement. With his team of curators and artists, historians and storytellers, Toledano developed a custom-made artistic concept for the hotel including impressive wall art and the large-format “Neighbourhood Heroes” portrait series located in the staircase leading to the restaurants and working spaces.

With colour palettes and patterns influenced by Asia, the Middle East and Africa, the rooms are peaceful. Their sizes range from Small, Medium, Medium+, Large, Large+, Extra Large, and Extra Large+. There’s something for everyone at 25hours Terminus Nord, from the solo-traveller, including balconies for lucky travellers, to couple and business people staying for one night or more and enjoying the working space.

A striking carnival of fixtures and furnishings throughout the hotel transports guests to Asia, Africa, and other parts of the world, an ode to the voyage. The rooms are comfortable, practical and elegant: large screen TV, wicker lampshades, vinyl records, tin bedside tables, thick carpet, large sofa, art books and travel guides, cushions and bedspreads with African batik prints, created by the wildly popular pop-lifestyle agency Château Rouge.

So many beautiful and interesting details: exquisite bathrooms feature large bottles of ‘Stop the Water While Using Me!’ soap and shampoo reminding guests of the climate emergency. Vibrant red Moroccan ceramic washbasins make for a statement in the showers while the door hangers are funny and cool (catch phrases you’ll discover when you book your stay).

“The design teams developed a kaleidoscope of stories about Paris, the hotel surroundings and the comings and goings at the Gare du Nord, the busiest train station in Europe. Even the entrance area is a reference to the Parisian urban landscape. The reception is reminiscent of a traditional kiosk, classic tiles of the metro stations, a colourful piece of wall art in the street-art style stretching over two floors beings to mind the graffiti in the streets of the district. Curated by VISTO, it brings the lively atmosphere of the district into the hotel.”

Breakfast at 25hours Terminus Nord is everything you can hope for. With incredible croissants, brioche, baguette, crusty breads, and artisan jams and organic chocolate spread, as well as a French cheeseboard, salmon, salad, creamy fromage blanc with fresh fruit, nuts, and grains, the sumptuous breakfast buffet has something for every palate in a cool atmosphere and decor, with frames featuring images of Paris, Surrealist drawings, pictures of international locations and cool imagery. Service in the restaurants and bars is perfect too.

The cuisine at NENI restaurant and the wide counter and leather couches of the Sape Bar are great settings for cosy dining and drinking with friends. The Molcho family’s restaurant concept is influenced by Persian, Arabic, French, and Russian cuisine. Everyone can try a little bit of everything when it’s served in the Balagan way, which is like dining at a friend’s house. The Sape Bar draws inspiration from the flashy yet refined attire of the Sapeurs, whose ostentatious ensembles juxtaposed against their real living situations. The spacious bar made of bronze-coloured mosaic glass, the dark wooden flooring, and the cosy leather armchairs create an ambiance reminiscent of a gentleman’s club, making the Sape Bar an ideal place for relaxed nights with friends or for a fast after-work drink.

What are the future plans for the collection? At least five new hotels will join the existing 15 over the next two years. In addition to a new hotel in Copenhagen, Trieste, Porto, Budapest, Jakarta and Sydney will be added to the portfolio.

25hours Terminus Nord is iconic, unique and so cosy. Colourful, cool, and attention to details make this hotel and meeting spaces, one of the best in Paris!

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Images: 25hours Terminus Nord, thank you Sandy Séjourné and the teams for welcoming me.