Adrien Gloaguen, the independent hotelier behind three of Paris’ most sought-after boutique hotels, knows that his reputation rests on whether his guests feel at home. In an industry that revolves around single-night stays in anonymous suites, he deliberately fosters a culture of warmth and familiarity. Each of his hotels boasts its own spin on creature comforts: from the snug reading room at Hôtel Paradis equipped with books and magazines to the little chocolates from the capital’s oldest chocolate factory found in the rooms of Hotel Panache.

Service is approached with the same consideration. “We are not five-star hotels, but each general manager knows their clients really well and tries to give each of them attention,” says Gloaguen. For some, that might mean their favorite ...