Eiffel Villa Garibaldi

The Eiffel Villa Garibaldi occupies a slender, cream-colored corner building. Guests step into a small, pleasant lobby with an antique oak reception desk backed by a board of room keys. Matte lilac walls are complemented by wooden floors and cherry-red lighting fixtures, while large windows overlooking the street illuminate the space with light. The lobby opens onto a charming bar and dining area, which is filled with round wooden tables and leather tub chairs, as well as a long bar with a marble and wood surface attractively edged in brass. Overall, this is a small and simple, yet charming property that attracts many guests hailing from diplomatic circles, as UNESCO's headquarters are nearby.

The Eiffel Villa Garibaldi sits on a busy corner in a neighborhood of independently owned businesses, including various well-regarded pastry shops, restaurants, and hotels. There is just enough grit to make the place feel lived in, including an elevated metro track and some graffiti on nearby buildings. Conveniently, the Sevres-Lecourbe metro is just a three-minute walk away. The futuristic, Y-shaped UNESCO headquarters, designed by Marcel Breuer and Bernard Zehrfuss, is an eight-minute walk. It's a bit far from most tourist attractions, though these can easily be reached via metro in about 20 to 30 minutes, including the Rodin Museum, Musee d'Orsay, the Louvre, Tuileries Garden, Luxembourg Gardens, and Notre Dame Cathedral. The Eiffel Tower is about 20 minutes away via metro, though it takes the same amount of time to walk there. Charles de Gaulle Airport is about a 30- to 40-minute drive from here, while Orly Airport can be reached in about 20 minutes by car.

Rooms at the hotel are small and simple, though pleasantly appointed. High-ceilings make them feel a bit more spacious, while long casement windows illuminate them with light. Stylish wallpaper or vividly hued paint covers accent walls, and beds are topped with striped throws that match the curtains. Floors are of dark wood, with an occasional small rug. Clustered, overhead pendant lights brightly illuminate the space, but built-in sconce lights on the honey-colored wooden headboards offer a softer option. Small desks are accompanied by perforated, clear plastic chairs, and larger rooms also have upholstered pieces. All rooms have flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, while mini-fridges, microwaves, and irons/ironing boards are available upon request. Bathrooms are tiny and can feel quite cramped, with harsh lighting above small mirrors and stall showers with an old-fashioned pan drain. On the plus side, there are hairdryers and pleasantly packaged, herbal-scented toiletries. Roll-away beds are available for a fee. 

The hotel offers limited amenities, but there's a bar and small dining area adjoining the lobby where a breakfast buffet is served in the mornings (for an added fee). In the evenings, the hotel hosts a free wine and cheese happy hour that guests routinely compliment for its fare and convivial atmosphere. There is a computer available for guests' use in the lobby, plus Wi-Fi is free throughout. The front desk is manned with multilingual staff that can arrange for airport and rail transfers, for a fee. Express check-in/check-out is offered, and a safety deposit box is available. Parking is available nearby for a fee. Pets are allowed, but potential guests should check with the hotel about size restrictions.