8th Arrondissement (Champs-Elysees), United States
Contemporary boutique hotel with a stylish literary twist
Convenient to restaurants and sights; quick walk to five metro lines
Chic rooms have Juliet balconies and personalized touches
Molton Brown toiletries, iPod docks, AC, and free water on arrival
Top-floor suites have whilrpools and Eiffel Tower views
Fireplace lounge and outdoor terrace for breakfast and afternoon bar
24-hour room service and concierge
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Rooms and suites are on the small side
Junior suites have two twin beds pushed together
No full restaurant or bar, and minibars are limited to drinks
Continental breakfast only free for direct bookings
Only one on-site parking spot, with fee attached
No direct elevator access to top floor
From Hans Christian Anderson to Emile Zola, Hotel Le Pavillon Des Lettres' 26 rooms bear the names of famous European writers (with Virginia Woolf as the only woman in the club). The four-pearl boutique property in Paris's 8th Arrondissement puts an energetic spin on contemporary decor and receives accolades for its design and attentive staff. Rooms are small but handsomely outfitted, with flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, free Wi-Fi, and Molton Brown products; minibars, however, are limited to beverages, so if the munchies strike, you won't find snacks. Springing for a top-floor suite buys Eiffel Tower views and soaks in a whirlpool tub. There's 24-hour room service and direct booking scores free continental breakfasts. If a full-service restaurant and bar is a must, the similarly priced New Hotel Roblin La Madeleine has both.
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Scene
Contemporary boutique hotel for literature buffs with stylish decor throughout
For literary fans who love Art Nouveau, Hotel Le Pavillon Des Lettres may be a little piece of heaven. The hotel occupies a classic Haussmann building, with Juliet balconies and an arced glass awning above the front door styled after Hector Guimard’s iconic metro entrances. The property's theme may not be obvious at first, unless you zero in on the front hall's partition fashioned out of bronze letters. But entering the elevator, the motif becomes apparent as the last names of 26 writers -- from A to Z representing each room -- appear on the button panel. Decor is contemporary with a dash of French flair. Crushed velvet accents are used heavily throughout the property. Striking scarlet-red shag rugs in the lobby make a bold statement, and there's an artful mix of wood finishes, with light blonde parquet floors, teak midcentury table legs, and an espresso-hued reception desk. Artwork lines the winding staircase leading up to rooms, a rotating collection of works that are available to purchase. The lounge, which doubles as a breakfast nook every morning, has a fireplace surrounded by shelves of French and English newspapers. Come aperitif hour, an "honesty" bar is set up for guests to enjoy drinks and savory treats on cushy damask chairs or on the long, butter-yellow banquette. In fine weather, the outdoor terrace that wraps around the front of the hotel serves as an extension, where thick hedgerow creates a private space for conversation amid streets busy with people scurrying to and from the office. With its excellent location and whimsical theme, the hotel tends to draw leisure travelers, with the occasional business traveler looking to stay within one of the city's major business districts.
Location
Posh locale close to the metro, Élysée Palace, and refined shops
Hotel Le Pavillon Des Lettres stands at the tip of two relatively quiet streets in Paris's 8th Arrondissement. Home to the Élysée Palace and other government agencies, the area is one of the city's major business districts, well-traversed at lunchtime and peaceful in the evenings. It's the sort of neighborhood with very fine (read: pricey) bistros that are the antithesis of trendy. Exclusive shops on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré are nearby, as is Place de la Concorde, a grand starting point for a stroll up the Champs-Élysées. Two metro stations -- Madeleine and Miromesnil -- are within a five-minute walk, for access to a total of five lines.- Five-minute walk to Madeleine and Miromesnil Métro stations
Rooms
Clean lined decor with literary flair, plus flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and Molton Brown bath products
The property's literary theme becomes even more obvious in guest rooms, where accent walls are printed with rows of prose and verse in French, paying tribute to the rooms' namesake author. Copies of the authors' books (also in French) are set on nightstands. Decor hits the same notes as the public spaces: modern, clean lines warmed up with luxurious fabrics and a palette of rich colors. From a sea of neutrals, bursts of amethyst and burnished gold is used for chairs and paneling behind the beds. Attractive carpeting with an ornate diamond motif jazzes up the overall look. Some rooms have Paris's most coveted view: the Eiffel Tower. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, large flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, air-conditioning, desks, and safes. But minibars are lightly stocked with beverages, so there aren't any snacks to satisfy the munchies. Bathrooms are sleek and top-notch, generously stocked with Molton Brown products, nail kits, and scales. Heated towel racks, walk-in rainfall showers, and terrycloth bathrobes and slippers are also included. Generally speaking, the hotel's rooms are small and there isn't a huge difference in the amount of space from standards to suites. Deluxe rooms are slightly larger than the standard and have bigger minibars and an extra chair. Bathrooms are a big step up on all counts, with brushed metallic silver walls, large windows, and deep bathtubs. In addition to more room, the hotel's two top floor suites have bathrooms with whirlpool tubs, separate showers, and double-width sinks. But drawbacks for the extra dollars spent are considerable -- including no direct elevator access, which means stairs are unavoidable. Also, beds are two twin-sized mattresses pushed together, and furniture is awkwardly arranged, with a few cafe tables next to clustered seating areas.
Features
No full-service on-site restaurant or bar, but bespoke extras, a fireplace lounge, and outdoor terrace
Hotel Le Pavillon Des Lettres lacks some of the big features expected of an upscale establishment, there's no on-site restaurant or bar. But in their place, it offers the kind of bespoke extras that give a boutique property character. Loaner bicycles with baskets for toting around market items are free to use, a selection of books on topics such as French culture and fashion can be delivered to guests' rooms, and the hotel has a package that includes a private French tutor. In a fireplace lounge off the lobby, there's a continental breakfast every morning -- free for guests who book directly -- with fresh croissants, breads, jams, cereal, and fruit. Come aperitif hour, an "honesty" bar is set up featuring an assortment of liquor and wines, plus snacks like pistachios, olives, and chips. Off the lounge, a private outdoor terrace provides space for alfresco relaxation. There's no business center; however, an iPad and MacBook is available at reception, and there's free printing and Wi-Fi throughout. There's also 24-hour room service, a concierge, and laundry services. Charges apply for the hotel's single on-site parking spot, and the hotel is pet friendly with advance notice required. Travelers with mobility issues should note that there's no elevator access to the top floor.
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