Le Grand Mazarin will always be a very special hotel to me as they helped me launch my first breakfast club in Paris which was a wonderful success. Le Grand Mazarin is one of the best independent hotels I have recently stayed at and opened my eyes to what more hotels could do when it came to personalising our stays and experiences.

Leslie Kouhana is President of Maisons Pariente, a group of luxury boutique hotels across France and their newest hotel is now in the heart of the Marais.

What is your first memory of your favourite hospitality or hotel experience?

When we were children, we used to go to Courchevel every year for our winter holidays where we stayed at the same hotel. Year after year, we would find the same guests there, as well as all the staff. I still remember the concierge organising treasure hunts and making giant sugar cakes for our birthdays. I loved this friendly, caring hotel where you could make memories that lasted a lifetime. Those holidays from my childhood are my Madeleine de Proust, and that’s the kind of hospitality we want to bring to life at Maisons Pariente.

What is the inspiration behind Le Grand Mazarin?

My sister and I are Parisians too, so it was important for us to offer our dream Paris, the Paris of foreigners and tourists, but also for Parisians. We drew a lot of inspiration from the Marais district in which we are located, a district of culture, art and fashion. Once, classic and avant-garde, reassuring and surprising, we wanted a project that was joyful, daring and flamboyant.

What was your greatest inspiration?

During a trip to London, I visited Annabel’s Club and simply fell under the spell of the design by interior architect Martin Brudnizki. I knew from that moment, he was the man we needed for Le Grand Mazarin. His world is like a journey through time, at once enveloping and fantastical. I love the way he combines a touch of madness with classic, refined architecture, and the way he mixes fabrics, prints and materials.

What makes Le Grand Mazarin stand out?

I like to think that the love we put into a project is reflected in the experience of our guests. This is also what Le Grand Mazarin offers, behind its elegance, its frescoes in the winter garden and its tapestries, there is attention to detail and attentive, made-to-measure service.

What do you do in your spare time?

I love spending time with my children and my husband. It’s always a very busy time at home with 3 boys of course! However, I love travelling and discovering new places for them. As a mother, I also need to recharge my batteries by taking time out for myself where I play sport or walk near where I live.

Your favourite travel destination?

Provence is a region I’m particularly fond of. The sun, the landscapes, the architecture, the smells, the small producers, the song of nature, the antique dealers, I love everything! Our hotel at Crillon le Brave is a special place for that too. When I’m there, I feel like I’m taking off a second skin and breathing again.

What’s next for you after Le Grand Mazarin?

We’re a family of entrepreneurs and we want to develop the Maisons Pariente collection. We also have another project in the mountains of France that we’re currently working on. One thing is certain: our future projects, like our existing houses, will always be in exceptional locations and destinations.

What is your favourite Boubale dish at the moment?

I have a weakness for the traditional “KAVED KATZUTZ” chicken liver with caramelised onions and black pepper, a recipe that my grandmother used to make for me, a delight.

What should a first-time visitor to Le Grand Mazarin expect?

To enjoy an exceptional, authentic and sincere experience in warm surroundings. We also place great emphasis on personalisation, so that we can offer our guests an unforgettable bespoke service.