Highlights

• Central location in the Toulouse entertainment district.
• Luxurious rooms with unique views of the Opera house.
• Elegant fine dining.
• Creative and classy interiors.
• Proactive and professional service.

Background

The Grand Hotel de l’Opera has become one of the most famous hotels in Toulouse since it has taken up residence in the former 17th century convent. It faces the Théâtre du Capitole which houses the city’s opera company and symphony orchestra for which inspired the hotel’s name. In what used to be municipal buildings, when the city was first designed, are now occupied by some of the trendiest shops and cafes in the “pink city” and makes the Grand Hotel de l’Opera a central base to experience everything Toulouse has to offer.

Experience

The Grand Hotel de l’Opera is in the center of the old city, circled by all the major roadways and a short distance to the airport. Most attractions can be reached on foot. 

On arrival the valet helped me park the car as I checked in. The lobby was very elegant reminiscent of  French aristocracy with floral wallpaper and striking cerulean furniture. After I finished checking-in I was escorted up the stunning spiral staircase to my room.

Rooms range from Simple Traditional Bedrooms to Deluxe Rooms and Suites which are all decorated in rich an “opera red” and “yellow sun” color palettes. I stayed in one of the suites with a king size bed, comfy lounge chair and huge vanity mirror which made the room look even larger. Though there’s a lot to love about the room my favorite was definitely the incredible view of the “Place du Capitole”.

There are 50 rooms and suites in the historic Grand Hotel de l’Opera and each room is fully furnished with satellite TV, wireless internet, air conditioning and a mini bar. Suites even have Nespresso machines and complimentary capsules to enjoy a foamy cappuccino on the patio.

Possibly the most famous spot on The Grand Hotel de l’Opera is the Grand Café de l’Opera. It’s a traditional Parisian brasserie down to the white linens and serves a tasty variety of simple country dishes made with fresh local ingredients. On dry days guests get the choice to dine indoors or out in the hotel’s winter garden for a quieter meal. The chefs make special efforts to search out the best seasonal vegetables and seafood each season to inspire their rotating menus.

In the inner courtyard of the hotel is Les Jardins de l’Opera which is a little more modern than the brasserie. The location in the center of the hotel ensures a quiet evening regardless of the hustle and bustle outside. After dinner, guests can enjoy a drink at the Grand Hotel de l’Opera’s bar. The design looked to Venice for décor inspiration; delicate carnival masks adorn the walls and lend their colors to the plush blue and gold furniture. It’s a sophisticated space covered in soft white drapes and lots of windows.

There’s more than enough tourist activities nearby but if guests have had enough of site seeing and just want to relax, the Terre de Jade Spa is open for all guests. The spa is highly qualified in massages from all over the world and range from shiatsu and hot stone massages to the simple foot massage.

The Grand Hotel de l’Opera also offers business facilities. There are two meeting rooms, Capitouls and Verriere with unique architecture which leaves quite an impression on guests. The Capitouls Room can host up to 50 people within the brick walls and high arched ceiling. For a slightly smaller crowd the Verriere Room offers more natural daylight from the central skylight and hits the ornate chandelier. The overall feel of the space is more of an exclusive cigar lounge than a corporate board room.

Service at the Grand Hotel de l’Opera was impressive. It’s very evident that each staff member takes a lot of pride in what they do and appreciates the grandeur of the hotel.

As soon as you walk into the lobby you can feel a certain majesty and splendor of the Grand Hotel de l’Opera. With great service, lavish rooms, and fine dining all at one of the best locations in town, you can easily appreciate the appeal of this property. I highly recommend a stay here if traveling through Toulouse especially for tourists!

Contact
The Grand Hotel de l’Opera
Address: 1, place du Capitole, 31000 Toulouse, France
Telephone: +33 (0)5 61 21 82 66
Website: http://www.grand-hotel-opera.com/uk/
Email: hotelopera@guichard.fr