Hotel Felicien by Elegancia

Housed in a brick building from the early 1920s, the Hotel Felicien by Elegancia has thoroughly contemporary interiors, with bold designs by renowned French clothing and interior designer Olivier Lapidus. Guests enter a chic, minimalist lobby done in black and white, with white flowers and red artwork. The breakfast room has a similar look, and features modern art and retro-futuristic cylindrical chairs. The stylish cocktail lounge has white walls with modern art, black flooring, and black vinyl furniture with red and houndstooth-print throw pillows. The indoor plunge pool gives off a cool blue glow. The hotel tends to attract couples, who appreciate its intimacy, style, and quiet location, though a few business travelers (and, of course, tennis fans in town for the French Open) stay here too. 

This hotel situated in a quiet, residential corner of the upscale 16th arrondissement, a two-minute walk west of the River Seine and Pont Mirabeau bridge. Mirabeau Metro station is a five-minute walk south while the Eglise d'Auteuil Metro station is an eight-minute from the hotel. Beaugrenelle department store and movie theater are a 10-minute walk east and the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Centre is a 10-minute drive south. It's about a 30-minute walk or 30-minute metro trip from the Eglise d'Auteuil metro station to reach Roland Garros Stadium and southeast corner of the Bois de Boulogne park, though a cab can make the trip in five minutes. The hotel is a little far from the main Paris attractions, at about a 25- to 30-minute walk, metro, or RER trip northeast to get to the Eiffel Tower and Trocadero. The Louvre is a 40-minute trip. Guests should expect trips to and from Charles de Gaulle and Orly Airports to take 30-40 minutes depending on traffic.

The 34 all non-smoking rooms and suites at the Felicien are situated on six floors, and come in a variety of categories. Designed by the clothing and interior designer Olivier Lapidus, each floor has a theme: Black, Flannel, Ruby, Couture, Pearl, and Sky. Rooms feature vibrant colors like raspberry red, yellow, pink, blue, and green. Decorative elements include colorful modern art, mirrors, geometric carpets, modernized Art Deco furnishings, fiberglass curtains, leather-paneled floors, and metallic wall panels. Rooms start at 160 square feet, so some are snug, but not by Parisian standards; they are also clean and quiet and get decent natural light, but don't expect great views. All rooms have air-conditioning, safes, minibars, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with international and satellite channels, and plush white cotton beds, but lack electric kettles or coffeemakers. Some rooms have terraces, and the terraces in Suites have jetted tubs. Bathrooms are clean, sleek, and well-lighted, but some bathrooms are small and have limited counter space or have only showers in lieu of shower/tub combos. All bathrooms come with hairdryers, bathrobes, slippers, make-up mirrors, and premium bath products. 

For a small hotel, the Felicien has a good range of leisure facilities, including a small spa with massages and treatments for a fee, a sauna, steam room, compact fitness center, and indoor plunge pool with a waterfall feature. The hotel serves an ample breakfast buffet that includes pancakes, eggs, bacon, cold cuts, smoked salmon, cereal, pastries, fruit, coffee, and juice, though it's not included with bookings. The stylish cocktail lounge offers a wide range of beer, wine, liquors, and cocktails. The Felicien has no on-site restaurant for lunch and dinner. There are a few restaurants in the immediate area, but for more options guests need to go closer to central Paris. The hotel also has a 24-hour front desk, concierge services, a business center, free newspapers, and parking (for a fee). Wi-Fi is free throughout.