Bel Ami Hotel

The design hotel Bel Ami feels strikingly modern, especially given its location in a classically Parisian part of the 6th arrondissement. A super-chic maritime theme, courtesy of French designer Geraldine Prieur, instantly brings to mind the inside of a super-sleek 1960s yacht. The luxe-mod look is visible immediately in the lobby thanks to gleaming white marble floors, glossy wood walls behind the front desk, and plush blue seating with white piping. (Swinging in clear 60s-style bubble cocoons is another option for putting your feet up.)Throughout the property, everything is just so -- the white roses and orchids are fresh, the music is downtempo, even the books on the wall shelves (Louis Vuitton city guides, Frank Gehry retrospectives) are arranged by color. In the lobby and the adjacent bar, guests range from corporate types discussing best VPN practices over coffee to couples plotting out their day to mom-and-daughter duos sharing club sandwiches and wine. The hotel's location in Saint-Germain-des-Pres makes it a good choice for leisure travelers who want to explore the Left Bank on foot. Both guests and non-guests make an occasion of Bel Ami's famous and wildly expensive brunch -- devotees swear its among the best brunches in Paris.  

Bel Ami is situated in the chic Saint-Germain-des-Pres neighborhood of Paris's 6th arrondissement, a one-minute walk away from the famous Deux Magots Cafe and Cafe de Flore, both popular Existentialist meeting spots for the likes of Sartre and Camus. The area is full of upscale boutiques and fine-dining restaurants, and Rue Jacob, known for its quaint boutiques and pedestrian-friendliness, is just a block away. The Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay are each a 10-minute walk from the hotel, while getting to Notre Dame Cathedral takes about 15 minutes. It's half an hour on the metro to reach the Eiffel Tower, which can also be reached via a pleasant stroll along the Seine in about 40 minutes. Orly Airport takes 25 minutes to reach by car (without traffic) while getting to Charles de Gaulle takes around 45 minutes. 

Rooms at Bel Ami start at 172 square feet, which, honestly, isn't too bad for central Paris. The entry-level Classic Rooms are the smallest, and room size increase with every upgrade: Superiors are between around 200 and 250 square feet, Executives 225 to 270, and Deluxes 280 to 355. Suites start at 355 square feet and go up to 475.Rooms have pale wood walls and blue, gray, and taupe color themes. Suites range from the top-floor Saint Germain Suites, inspired by the neighborhood's quirky old bookshops, while others have more vivid contemporary decor. All rooms have pillow-topped beds, double-glazed windows, flat-screen TVs with on-demand movies, safes, robes, and slippers. There are minibars in all rooms and suites and certain room types have espresso makers. Sleek bathrooms have either shower/tub combos or walk-in showers with extra-large rainfall showerheads; Suites have separate showers and tubs. All come with hairdryers, makeup mirrors, and toiletries. Wi-Fi is free in rooms and throughout the hotel. The hotel also provides cots on request at no extra charge.

Bel Ami's restaurant, Les Mots Passants, is open daily for breakfast and on the weekends for brunch (both at an extra per-person charge). Style-wise, the space is a far cry from the dark brasseries and Art Nouveau cafes in the area. Decorated in black, white, lime green, and bright pink, the modern eatery features a suspended sculpture quoting Guy de Maupassant, author of the hotel's namesake 1885 novel: "Of all passions, the only one that strikes me as respectable is the passion for food." The brunch service is quite celebrated; some have even described it as the definitive brunch experience in Paris. The Saturday and Sunday extravaganza includes buffets with hot dishes (quiches, crispy prawns, croque monsieurs), cold items (French cheese, organic meat, oysters), and desserts (brownies, panna cotta, and tiramisu). The brunch also includes made-to-order eggs, and hot and cold drinks like cappuccino, Perrier, and carrot juice.Like the restaurant, the hotel bar feels light and modern. The mod-inspired space features navy chairs, wood walls, and modern art. The cocktail menu has Champagne cocktails, several martinis, and unusual specialty options like the PineApple Intox (spicy rum, pineapple juice, cinnamon syrup, ginger beer) and the Bumble Bee (Cognac, lemon, violet syrup, egg white, Tonka bean). Though the restaurant does not serve lunch or dinner, the bar offers all-day a la carte plates, such as chicken Caesar salad, roasted steak, and pesto fusilli. Burgers and sandwiches are served with salad and homemade fries.The hotel's two-room Carita spa is open daily for facials, massages, body scrubs, mani/pedis, and waxing treatments. It has a relaxation room, sauna, and attached 24-hour fitness center. The workout room has a treadmill, two bikes, an elliptical, and weight-training equipment, and a large flat-screen TV typically set to CNN. Cucumber water and dried fruit are free for the taking. Italian incense gives the area the faint smell of citrus, vanilla, and sandalwood. The hotel also offers a number of event spaces, ranging from a large conference room with audiovisual equipment to a smaller boardroom with a large flat-screen TV. Wi-Fi is free throughout Bel Ami.