Hotel Indigo Paris – Opera

Before it opened as the Hotel Indigo Paris - Opera in 2014, this classic Haussmannian building housed an aparthotel. Instead of carving up the former apartment-style accommodations and doubling occupancy, the new owners (IHG) left the room sizes in tact. The result: some of the most spacious rooms for the price point in the tony Opera area. What's even better is that due to the building's long, narrow shape, all 57 of those large rooms face the traffic-free Rue Edouard VII, making them quiet and tucked away from the non-stop scuttle of commerce-packed Boulevard des Capucines. 

The 2014 renovation injected a bit of Paris identity at every turn. Zoomed-in photography of Paris theaters and monuments is found behind the check-in desk, in the halls, and in all guest rooms. A reed diffuser puts out a lovely orange blossom scent, and keepsake postcards of Paris landmarks, like the Pantheon, are free at reception. Floors are named for Parisian boulevards and elevator landings feature custom wallpaper depicting historic maps of Paris. The hotel sees a good amount of business travelers (and has ongoing arrangements with many French companies, including Chanel), but its Opera location, reasonable rates, and notably big rooms -- including a two-bedroom, two-bathroom option -- draw both couples and families on leisure trips. 

Hotel Indigo Paris - Opera is in Paris' theater and music district. L'Olympia Bruno Coquatrix, a 19th-century concert hall, is across the street, and Theatre Edouard VII is at the end of the block. The magnificent Palais Garnier opera house is four minutes away on foot. Boulevard des Capucines is lined with hotels, restaurants, and major retailers, like Gap, Omega, and Bally. Despite the central and commercial location, Hotel Indigo's position on a pedestrian-only side street means that it is well-insulated from the hustle and bustle outside. For accessing other parts of Paris, there are two metro stations within a four-minute walk: Madeleine (lines 8, 12, and 14) and Opera (lines 3, 7, and 8). Charles de Gaulle Airport can be reached in about 40 minutes by car and 50 by train.

For the price, Hotel Indigo's rooms are some of the most contemporary, spacious, and well-stocked in central Paris. With blue, red, or purple color schemes, rooms are still modern and fresh from the hotel's 2014 renovation/reopening under IHG. All 57 face Edouard VII, so all are surprisingly quiet considering the bustling area (double-glazed windows also help). An exception are the lower-level Junior Suites located on the corner facing Rue Edouard VII and Boulevard des Capucines; these pick up street noise from the boulevard.

The 57 rooms fall into three general categories: Standard, Superior (oversized units available), and Suites. The interior design tips its hat to the neighborhood's theatrical and performing-arts legacy, with wall-size photographs of the ballet, the cabaret, views from box seats, et cetera. By and large, rooms have the same amenities. All have armchairs, iHomes, LG flat-screen HDTVs with satellite channels, free safes, and free Wi-Fi. Minibars come with free Coke, juice, Nescafe coffee, Ronnefeldt tea, hot chocolate, and galettes (pre-packaged waffle cookies). Suites have free espresso. Every room is equipped with a Handy -- a portable smartphone with free roaming and free calls. All receive a daily bottle of Evian and come with a neighborhood guide. 

All bathrooms have glassed-in rainfall showers, heated towel racks, and bright vanity-style mirrors. Fragonard toiletries (larger bottles in the suites), bathrobes, slippers, and BaBybliss hairdryers are provided.

Three rooms have Eiffel Tower views. Rooms on the second, fourth, and fifth floors have small balconies. Sixth-floor Duplex units have living rooms with sofa beds (with real mattresses) on the first floor and bedrooms on the second; Duplexes have one-and-a-half baths and two flat-screen TVs. There is one Family suite, a bi-level duplex unit with a downstairs living room and half-bath and an upstairs master bedroom and bathroom with a two-person shower, plus a second bedroom with a half-bath. There is a wheelchair-accessible room on each floor. Connecting rooms are available.

Breakfast is buy-one-get-one-free at Hotel Indigo; if a couple is staying, one can pay for breakfast and the other is free. Breakfast is a combination buffet/a la carte operation, with a spread of viennoiseries, crepes, local honey, baguettes, smoked salmon, deli meats including ham, and an array of cheeses. Guests are also entitled to one a la carte hot dish, such as an omelet or scrambled eggs. Located on the lobby level, La Table du VII is restaurant/wine bar open all day. It offers terrace seating on the pedestrian-only street when the weather is nice, and a lunch/dinner menu with items like salmon tartare and skirt steak with fries. A daily happy hour offers specials on Parisian beers, rose from southern France, and Aperol Spritz. There is also 24-hour room service.

Hotel Indigo's fitness center is free and open 24 hours. It features treadmills, ellipticals, cycling machines, free weights and a multi-use station. Large windows provide natural light and views of Rue Edouard VII, plus there are flat-screen TVs. Custom wallpaper depicts a historical map of the neighborhood layered with colorful running routes.

Laundry and dry-cleaning services are available. The hotel's business facilities include copying, faxing, and courier services, as well as one meeting room that can hold up to 17 people. Wi-Fi is free throughout Hotel Indigo Paris - Opera.