Hôtel Léopold

The colorful lobby is decorated with a patchwork of interesting objects and textiles: oil paintings, Indian wood sculptures, stone vases, a wood bar cart, and cozy blankets in yellow and orange. There are a beautiful red-brick accent wall, and worn wood-plank floors underfoot, altogether lending the feel of a comfortable living room. The breakfast area looks and feels like a Bohemian cafe, with a small vase with freshly picked flowers on each table; a wall-length, cushioned booth; and sleek wooden chairs that complement the wood paneling on the walls. With all of the warm colors and eclectic decor, the place has the easygoing vibe of a youth hostel, but the sophistication of a boutique hotel. Guests are a mix of ages, and include couples and friends seeking an unpretentious yet stylish place to stay in Paris. 

The hotel is situated in a relatively quiet area of Paris’ Left Bank between Montparnasse train station (a 14-minute walk) and Luxembourg Gardens (just under 10 minutes on foot). The well-connected Raspail Metro station is two minutes' walk, providing access to the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumph, Louvre, and most Paris attractions in a half-hour or less. In Montparnasse, the hotel is also surrounded by delicious restaurants and cafes. The trip to or from Charles de Gaulle Airport is about 40 minutes by car. There is a public parking lot 100 meters down the road from the hotel, with parking available at a fixed rate.

There are 39 rooms in total, each filled with an assortment of furniture and decorations that could have been found in flea markets throughout France. No two rooms are exactly alike; one has a print of charcoal sketches of cats, while another has a framed vintage ski poster, for example. Walls are painted in both muted and somewhat darker earth tones; color schemes vary but are consistently soothing and chic. Beds are comfortable, and each is covered with a unique embroidered blanket. Bathrooms are super-clean and modern, but extremely compact, with narrow, glass stall showers; Luxury Rooms have tubs. Each room has a safe, air-conditioning unit, small flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi access, but no mini-fridge or coffee/tea facilities. Superior and Luxury Rooms have views of the courtyard, while Suites look out across Boulevard Raspail. 

There is free Wi-Fi access in rooms, and it is fast and reliable. There is no parking lot on-site, but there is a public parking lot about 100 meters down the road (for a fee). The breakfast buffet is not included, but is reasonably priced for the area, and includes a variety of local meats, cheeses, homemade jams, and croissants. The staff is more than willing to help with restaurant recommendations, and offers directions to various destinations.