Gardette Park Hotel

This small boutique hotel blends into all the other Parisian-style buildings lining the street, but inside, spaces are refreshingly modern, with playful patterned wallpaper that adds a pop of color to mostly neutral hues. Renovated in 2012, the hotel has a chic lobby area that doubles as a breakfast room. Bold red-and-white floral patterned walls contrast with the cream floors and black velour chairs and booths surrounding small circular black tables. Hallways are simple with no decorative elements beyond gray carpet. There are a few old-fashioned details, such as the small single elevator that stops between floors, requiring guests to take some stairs to reach their rooms. The hotel mostly draws couples who can be seen congregating in the breakfast room in the mornings. 

Gardette Park Hotel is located in the Maurice Gardette Square, an authentic Parisian neighborhood with plenty of restaurants and bars nearby. It’s across the street from a quaint park and a five-minute walk to the nearest metro station, giving easy access to popular attractions around the city. Several sites are within a 15-minute walk, including the Bastille, the Place des Vosges, and the Pere Lachaise Cemetery. But most top tourist sites are about 30 to 35 minutes away via public transportation, including the Louvre, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Sacre Coeur, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Champs Elysees, while the Eiffel Tower can be reached in about 45 minutes by metro. Charles de Gaulle Airport is a 30- to 45-minute drive, while Orly Airport can be reached in about 25 to 35 minutes by car.

The hotel’s 40 contemporary rooms are tastefully decorated with tan or white walls, gray carpeting or wooden floors, and bold accent walls with colorful leaf or floral designs. The style is simple, but the patterned walls, as well as details like velour chairs and heavy drapes, lend an air of stylishness and sophistication. The rooms are small (typical in Paris), so be prepared to adapt to small wardrobes and safes. Superior Rooms and Suites offer more space and have loveseats or couches. Rooms are outfitted with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, iPod docks, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and free Wi-Fi; some also have lovely balconies. Be aware that some rooms have views of walls. Bathrooms are small, though sleek with white, orange, or navy tile. Most have small showers -- Suites have shower/tub combos -- as well as hairdryers and wall-mounted Keiji toiletries. 

This small hotel doesn't offer many amenities, though a basic breakfast is available for a fee and served in the lobby/lounge area or delivered to rooms. The lobby also provides beverages for sale and access to a computer terminal. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout. There’s no on-site parking, though car parks and street parking can be found nearby. And airport shuttle service can be arranged for a fee.