Built almost a century ago (1929), the art-deco #Piscine Molitor in the 16th district of Paris is no ordinary swimming #pool. It was here the first #bikini was unveiled and the topless sunbathing revolution took off, and it is after this swimming pool that the main character in the 2001 novel Life of Pi was named.
Closed in 1989 and classified as a #historic #monument, the neglected building was adopted by artists and became a temple of underground Parisian culture.
The MOLITOR was renovated and the hotel opened its doors in 2014. I must admit, this is a hotel unlike any other in Paris. Indeed, it doesn't feel much like being in Paris at all, more like a #resort hotel, where you could easily spend your day on a lounger around the pool.
Of course the two pools take star billing here, but I liked the ground-floor with its varied spaces and moods - restaurant, gym, hotel reception and club, small lounge areas - and a mix of floor tiles, colourful retro chairs, and #ArtDeco furniture found at the fleamarket. There's a gigantic #Clarins #spa and an art gallery, while the surprising roof terrace provides an eyrie-like outdoor lounge perched over the Périphérique ring road with suspended herb and flower gardens.
The negative: the food was very average. read more