Charming Hotels

The concept of « charm » is that je ne sais quoi which makes everything more attractive than what is considered handsome, authentic or even moral. It’s the most powerful weapon in the game of seduction. The charm of the sirens for example, drove sailors mad to the point that they would willingly dive into the waves of a violent sea. Be it an advantage, a weapon or a poison, charm always wins out in the end. Even the clearest of minds can be clouded by the spell it weaves, since although it’s simple to recognize charm, it’s difficult to decipher, undoubtedly because of our devilish notion of subjectivity. In spite of all this, let’s take a less complicated, non human object, like a hotel for example. A charm hotel has to be intimate. Its small or medium size precludes any aspect that might be considered impersonal. One feels at ease. The bedding is soft and the furnishings are designed to create a cozy cocoon. It has what one would call a soul, a sense of warmth making it unique and therefore very precious. Special attention is paid to local traditions. History and the passage of time can also be characterized in the stone, the wood or the wall furnishings. It’s impossible to create an exhaustive list of features as there are a thousand different criteria that can go into the creation of a charm hotel. What’s important is how all these ingredients are blended together. In the end, it’s a general ambiance, an atmosphere that makes all of our senses vibrate. In the words of French author Camille Laurens : “Charm is undefinable. It surpasses beauty, its main competitor.”