Hotel de la Porte Doree

The Hotel de la Porte Doree manages to combine elegance with a touch of smart idiosyncrasy. A quirky, elaborate sideboard holds the all important coffeepots for the morning breakfast buffet, and the tres Parisian breakfast room has a stunning herringbone parquet floor, vintage-y iron chairs and tile cafe tables, and gold-framed oil paintings on the walls.The lobby holds a comfortable sofa and accompanying poufs, for hanging out or reading one of the books borrowed from the large bookcases found there. Everything is unassuming, charming, and welcoming, except perhaps the extraordinarily tiny elevator; the winding stairway, on the other hand, is very pretty, wide, and lined with paintings. Behind the front desk is an old-fashioned room key cabinet, and the key fobs are elaborate brass and vintage-looking. All in all, the Hotel de la Porte Doree is a charming boutique located out of the hubbub of central Paris.

The Hotel de la Porte Doree is located outside Paris's city center and major tourist areas; it takes 30 to 45 minutes to reach the Eiffel Tower area via metro. Walkers can stroll toward the city center along an old Roman viaduct that has been turned into an elevated garden. In addition to the metro, the bus, high-speed rail and new tram stop close to the hotel. There are restaurants nearby, as well as the zoo, the Bois de Vincennes, Pere Lachaise cemetery, and other less well-known attractions. On weekends, a popular street market takes up residence opposite the hotel.

Upon arrival at the Hotel de la Porte Doree, guests find cookies in their rooms as welcome. Guestroom technology is up-to-the-minute, including free Wi-Fi, iPod docks, and flat-screen TVs with cable and Blu-ray; movies are available to borrow from the front desk. Each room has a stash of old media (magazines), as well. Decor blends modern and antique styles; guests will find wood floors, white headboards with carved accents, fresh white bedding and cool gray throws, and vintage touches such as crown molding, gilded mirrors, gold-framed oil paintings, and in some rooms, Juliet balconies or decorative marble fireplaces. Light sleepers should ask for a higher floor, as street noise and the metro rumbling underneath can be disruptive. However, those who want a slice of outdoor space may consider a first-floor room with a terrace.

The Hotel de la Porte Doree has a large library of Blu-ray DVDs to loan to guests, as well as a library of old-school books in the lobby. The quiet courtyard is a great place to read between excursions. The hotel serves buffet breakfast in a lovely, old-fashioned, cafe-style breakfast room, for an additional charge.