16th and 17th Arrondissements (Bois de Boulogne), United States
Typically ornate
19th-century building with classically styled interiors
Two-minute walk
from Place de l’Etoile Metro hub
Some rooms have terraces and views of the Arc de Triomphe
Buffet breakfast
included in rate
Elegant bar area
open around the clock
Free Wi-Fi
throughout
Family-run property with relaxed atmosphere
Street-facing
rooms can be noisy during rush hour
Rooms typically
small
Away from city center
Hotel Cecilia is
a mid-range, family-run property with elegant traditional style. This doesn't run to all corners of the hotel -- the 49 rooms are decent but
simple and some overlook a dreary courtyard -- though the breakfast room and
bar area is very nicely finished with red leather armchairs and a lovely 19th-century wood piano. Breakfast, including locally made croissants and breads, is free daily either in the breakfast room or in guest rooms. The location isn't central but is within eyeshot
of the Arc de Triomphe and has excellent public transport links nearby. Rates are
also very reasonable, especially compared to the numerous upscale hotels in the
swanky surrounding area.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Flamboyant facade sets tone for ornate, classically styled interiors
The particularly
ornate Haussmann facade, awash with flamboyantly carved stone eaves and wrought-iron balconies, very much sets the tone for this florid Parisian hotel. A carriage
entrance flanked by bronze gates leads inside, where the scene is a blend of
18th-century salon with elaborate Louis XIV-style furnishings, mosaic-tiled
floors, and oak-wood paneling -- all built and designed by the owner, Monsieur Heilbronn.
Built in 1896, the building was purchased by the Heilbronn family in 1956 and has been passed down through generations. Most of the original
architectural features have been maintained, including an elegantly winding staircase that spirals
up the hotel's five floors. Occasionally, interiors struggle to maintain the
intended feel of classical elegance -- a dreary central courtyard and some
mismatched modernity detract from the mood -- but the hotel remains popular
with tourists as an authentic slice of Old Paris.
Location
Minutes' walk from the Charles de Gaulle-Etoile Metro and Champs-Élysées
The hotel is
located on a busy road in northwest Paris just a five to 10 minutes' walk from the Place de
l’Etoile with the famous Arc de Triomphe and the start of the Champs-Élysées. Also at Place de l'Etoile is the Charles de Gaulle-Etoile Metro hub, which means the hotel is
well-positioned for public transport links to the rest of Paris. Alternately, it's about a 10-minute cab ride to city center attractions such
as the Louvre Museum and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Rooms
Arc de Triomphe views in some higher-level rooms
The hotel has 49
rooms, all of which are decorated in light, neutral tones with wood-laminate
floors and traditionally styled furnishings. Rooms have air-conditioning and
include free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, while decent
bathrooms have blue and beige tile, shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and heated towel rails. Some higher-level rooms have
small terraces with views of the Arc de Triomphe, but street-facing rooms can
also suffer from traffic noise during rush hour. Noise between rooms has also been reported. Beds have thin comforters (albeit with attractive, understated patterns) rather than duvets.
Features
Spacious, classically styled bar and breakfast room with free Wi-Fi
The hotel's main
feature is the large and elaborately decorated breakfast room and bar area. A
cold buffet breakfast, with croissants and breads baked in the neighborhood, is included in the rate. A continental breakfast
can be taken in-room without a surcharge. The 24-hour bar is cozy and welcoming
and has a lovely 19th-century grand piano and numerous period art pieces, brightened by candle-style sconces. Wood chairs with floral cushions are clustered around small marble and brass tables, while red leather armchairs are arranged around a glass coffee table atop an ornately patterned blue and gold rug. Concierge and laundry services are also both available, and Wi-Fi is free of
charge throughout the hotel.
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