A Small World
Louis Solanet and Anouk Solanet

Words Alexandra Koken & Allison Reiber DiLiegro Images Maximilian Mair

Louis and Anouk Solanet’s hotels are a study on tradition and modernity, where details create “Proustian Madeleines,” and human connection is placed front and center.

Raised in a hospitality family, Louis Solanet has a unique take on what makes a hotel really stand out: the people who connect with guests and shape their experience. “Our hotels are in Paris, where we don’t have beaches, mountains, or large spaces. So what could really make the difference were the rooms, the design, and especially the people. We wanted the people to be genuinely nice.” We sat down with the couple to find out more about their philosophy, how they put it into practice, and the story of how they met.

How did you first get into hospitality? What drew you to it?

Louis Solanet: My family on my mother’s side owned hotels, and my father was president of Campanile in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. That’s really where it all started for me. When I was young, we were always traveling to hotels with my father, often budget inns. They were very simple places, but extremely welcoming. That warm welcome stayed with me, and we try to recreate that by mixing old-fashioned elements with things that remind us of our roots—what we call a “Madeleine de Proust”: something deeply nostalgic that brings back good memories.

Anouk Solanet: What we love is the feeling of going somewhere like you’re visiting friends or family—like in a bed-and-breakfast, where the owners welcome you. That’s what we’re trying to recreate for our guests.

Anouk, how did you end up in Paris?

AS: I lived in Paris before I met Louis. I didn’t move for him—I already loved the city. I had many French friends, and it was a great time: going to exhibitions, restaurants, and dance clubs. I found Paris very inspiring.

I also love the French way of life: food, wine, joie de vivre. In France, people have dinner because they want to be together. Those dinners can take hours!

How did you two meet?

LS: I first received a Facebook invitation from her. I didn’t really know who she was, but I accepted because I saw we were born on the same day, October 4. Then we met at a party.

AS: A mutual friend asked me if he could invite Louis to a birthday party I planned. I checked his photos on Facebook, saw the potential, thought he could be a good match for one of my girlfriends, and accepted his request. I tried to put the two together, but that obviously didn’t work out, and Louis asked me out on a date a couple of days later.

LS: Our friend didn’t tell me who organized the party, so when I saw Anouk, I thought it was a total coincidence. At the time, I was still smoking cigarillos, was on crutches, and had a big beard, so she was very courageous to be interested.

Louis, how has Paris changed since you were a kid?

LS: The neighborhoods have changed a lot. Before, tourism focused mostly on the west. Now, many exciting areas are in the east, and there are so many new restaurants and venues there. When we travel, it seems that cities around the world are becoming more similar. But Paris doesn’t feel like every other city, even though it’s become cooler and less traditional.

How did you decide to start Orso together?

AS: I was working in law, but my career wasn’t going the way I wanted. I was thinking about going back to the Netherlands. Louis’s family has a company in real estate and hospitality. They asked if I wanted to join. Louis took over hospitality, and his father focused on real estate. So I joined Louis, and it was a big but very good change.

How do you split your roles?

LS: I’m more involved at the beginning of a project, alongside Anouk, who the designer will be and how the space will be organized. Once the project is launched, it's much more Anouk who takes the lead to make sure that the spirit that we wanted is there at the end of the project.

AS: I focus on the independent hotels, Orso and another brand we’re launching. From concept to the opening, I work with architects, storytelling, names, and creative direction.

Where does inspiration for each project come from?

AS: Some buildings already have a soul, and we think it’s really important to keep that and to bring it back to life. For example, Hôtel Rochechouart is from the Art Deco era, so the interior architecture that we chose really worked with that. And sometimes you have a building that doesn’t have much story to tell, architecturally speaking. Then the interior architect can come with a stronger concept or signature. Each project is different.

Who is part of your creative community?

AS: Our friends are a mix of interesting people, some in fashion or restaurants, and others have more traditional professions. But we have a lot of creative people around us, and everybody knows each other. Paris is a small world in the end.

When you have friends over for dinner, who cooks?

LS: Me. It's better that way. She likes to dress the table, and she makes it very nice.

AS: Yes, it’s much better if Louis cooks and I do the hosting!