From the outside, the brick color of its entrance dialogues with the interwar buildings that dot the inner ring of Paris. Once through the door, the atmosphere is more like the Vincennes zoo. A lion, an ostrich, a gazelle, a pelican holding a light in their mouth or beak: the reception committee is representative of the atmosphere offered by Kopster hotels. And the one that has just opened near the Porte de Versailles exhibition center is no exception to the rule.
Tapestries mixing tropical fauna and flora brightening up the rooms and common areas, exotic lighting, ethnic influences: the brand created by the Lavorel group is inspired by wild nature to immerse travelers in its contemporary and warm universe . With, as a common thread, decors designed by interior designer Eric Boyer, an animal totem.
After the giraffe for the first link opened in 2018 in Décines, near the Groupama Stadium in Lyon, then the zebra at the Kopster Paris Ouest Colombes , inaugurated last year, the brand’s first establishment in Paris intra muros has given itself the monkey for emblem . “ An extremely sociable animal, a symbol of sharing ,” notes the hotel group. In line with the “like at home” aspect that this concept intends to offer, currently grouped around three high-end hotels with an urban chic spirit. “ The hardest part is not getting customers to come, but getting them to come back. If you feel at home, in a warm atmosphere, the bet is almost won ,” underlines Jean-Claude Lavorel, founder and president of the hotel group.
Wood, lounge-library areas where you can sit down to have a drink or work, antique objects, 1960-70 inspired furniture “that you could find at home ” underlines Eric Boyer: the Kopster Paris Porte de Versailles develops the concept in its own way, within the walls of what was for a long time a Median hotel. “ We started from an existing establishment, in a deplorable state, of which we kept almost only the walls ,” explains Jean-Claude Lavorel.
Certain particularities are still there, however, such as the absence of a real restaurant, compensated for by a large space for breakfasts on the mezzanine , which can also be used for hosting cocktails and study days. Please note that the hotel offers a snack menu at the bar with pizzas and spreads for small appetites to enjoy or on the terrace in fine weather.
Another legacy of the old establishment, the Kopster has a large parking lot , a far from trivial detail to attract exhibitors coming by car to the Porte de Versailles. Because this is obviously the great strong point of the hotel for business travelers, that of being a few minutes walk from the pavilions of the major Parisian conference and trade fair venue. Facing the Balard metro exit and a tram stop, the new Kopster hotel intends to take advantage of its location to attract a large proportion of business travelers , who should constitute 60% of its clientele. This is a lower proportion than in Décines or Colombes where the share of business travelers is 80%.
Due to its position in the capital, with its direct access to public transport, the establishment can indeed count on a leisure clientele to ensure its attendance. Hence the presence in the hotel of several family rooms with sofa convertible into a bed. In total, the hotel has 126 rooms divided into five categories, all with king size bed, Chromecast TV and coffee machine in most, but also desks on which sits a mustard yellow retro telephone, the dominant tone of the hotel. Tapestry between fauna and flora above the bed, monkey walking on the pole of the lamppost: the decoration reflects the concept specific to Kopster.
As for the next hotel, what will be its totem animal? “ There are still quite a few interesting animals in the savannah ,” assures Jean-Claude Lavorel, without giving more details on future projects in one or other of the large French metropolises, the brand’s targets.