Hotel Monna Lisa

Hotel Monna Lisa is situated in a classic beige Haussmann-style building with wrought-iron Juliet balconies that blends seamlessly with the rest of the buildings on the block. Decor is smart, sophisticated, and contemporary, with a tasteful Leonardo da Vinci theme that includes small sculptures and large-scale copies of his sketches on accent walls in both the lobby and guest rooms. The lobby features a refined color palette of beiges and whites paired with dark teal accents. A light wood floor pairs with pale gray accent rugs, beige couches, and velvety dark teal throw pillows and ottomans. The breakfast room is just as chic. Style is in the details, which include vintage-inspired brass light fixtures, daily newspapers fanned out in the lobby, Eiffel Tower candies, and a Nespresso machine for guest use. With its location near the Champs Elysées, the hotel attracts both business travelers and tourists. 

Hotel Monna Lisa is situated on the chic Rue La Boetie, which leads directly to the Champs Elysées in Paris' popular 8th Arrondissement. There are plenty of high-end shops, restaurants, bars, and company offices in the neighborhood. The location is ideal for reaching a variety of sites, as the Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde are both in walking distance (in opposite directions). For sights farther out, the nearest metro station is a two-minute walk (Saint-Philippe-du-Roule), and there are a few other stations within walking distance.

• Three-minute walk to Champs Elysées
• 12-minute walk to the Grand Palais
• 15-minute walk to Arc de Triomphe
• 16-minute walk to Place de la Concorde
• 22-minute walk to Tuileries Garden
• 15 minutes to the Louvre museum via public transit
• 20 minutes to the Eiffel Tower via public transit
• 20 minutes to Musee d’Orsay via public transit
• 26 minutes to Notre Dame Cathedral via public transit
• 30-minute drive to Charles de Gaulle Airport (one hour by public transit)

Light wood floors, white walls, and dark wood furniture make up the simple, refined guest rooms. The muted neutrals used throughout could feel basic, but red accents in bed runners and curtains wake things up a bit. In keeping with the hotel's theme, large-scale Da Vinci sketches adorn bedside walls in most rooms. Modern bathrooms also reflect a less-is-more aesthetic, with beige tiling, square sinks, and walk-in showers or shower/tub combos, as well as robes, hairdryers, and individual Hermès toiletries. Three different room categories are available: entry-level Classic Rooms, which measure 172 square feet (16 square meters); Executive Rooms measuring 236 square feet (22 square meters); and 365-square-foot (34 square meters) Family Rooms/Suites, which have separate sitting areas and private balconies. 

All rooms are air-conditioned and include desks and wardrobes with electronic safes. Rooms also have flat-screen TVs with international channels, iPod docking stations with Bluetooth, coffee- and tea-making facilities, minibars stocked with free water and soft drinks (replenished daily, but there's no alcohol), and free Wi-Fi. Guests staying in Executive Rooms and suites get extra perks like use of Samsung smartphones, with free calls and unlimited data. 

This small boutique hotel offers few features, which are limited to a small lobby lounge and a breakfast room. The breakfast room is chic but tiny, and the breakfast buffet (available for a fee) offers a nice variety of hot and cold choices. During our 2016 stay, the hotel was also offering an afternoon light "sweets break" for an extra fee. Free coffee and tea are up for grabs in the lobby all day, and sometimes light snacks, like cookies or Eiffel Tower gummies, are offered too. Room service is available during limited hours. The hotel has a 24-hour front desk and offers concierge services. Staff can arrange airport transportation, limo service, laundry service, or babysitting. Rental bikes are available right outside the hotel's front door. Pets are welcome for no extra fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.