Hotel Cecilia Paris

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.

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. 

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. 

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.