Hôtel R de Paris

The Hotel R de Paris is housed in a typical Haussmann-style building from the early 20th century. The contemporary lobby and adjacent breakfast room are done in soft tones like cream, tan, and white, with decorative elements like white mod and hooded chairs, parquet and marble floors, and shelves stocked with knick-knacks and books. There is a small reception desk and the hallways feature black-and-white photos and geometric print carpets. Guests -- who are predominantly tourist couples -- gather in the lobby, breakfast room, sauna, and steam room.The hotel also draws business travelers due to its location near the companies of the Lazare area. It's worth noting that the friendly staff helps create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. 

The hotel is on a fairly narrow and busy street in Paris' 9th Arrondissement. There are local shops, bars, and cafes in the immediate area, but it's not terribly exciting. The Liege Metro station is one block east, the Gare Saint Lazare train station is a five-minute walk southwest, and the Number 68 bus, one block from the hotel, makes trips to the Louvre and Rue de Rivoli shopping area in 20 minutes. The famous Moulin Rouge cabaret, and the lively bars and clubs around Pigalle, are a seven-minute walk from the hotel, while Opera Garnier is a 10-minute walk south. The Gustave Moreau Museum is a five-minute walk southeast and the Musee de la Vie Romantique (Museum of Romantic Life) is a five-minute walk east of the hotel at the foot of Montmartre hill. Further up Montmartre is the famous Basilica Sacre Couer, a 15-minute walk northeast. Charles de Gaulle Airport takes 40 minutes to reach by taxi depending on traffic, while Orly Airport can take up to 45 minutes by road.

The 40 non-smoking rooms at Hotel R de Paris come in Classic, Privilege, and Prestige categories. All have a similar chic and sophisticated look, with a neutral color palette in tan, beige, cream, and white. Camel brown tones add an extra luxe vibe in some rooms. Geometric print carpets look sharp over oak hardwood floors and plush white cotton beds are set with handsome houndstooth bed runners under padded leather headboards. Rooms are clean, get good natural light, and feature double-glazed windows to ensure quiet. Some rooms are a little small, with small closets with limited hangers, and other buildings surround the hotel, so views aren't great. All rooms offer individual heating and cooling, in-room safes, mini-bars and snack trays, coffee/tea makers, iPod docks, free Wi-Fi, and 40-inch flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. Some Prestige Rooms have fireplaces and/or balconies. Bathrooms feature premium Hermes bath products, bathrobes, slippers, rainfall showerheads in mosaic-tile showers, and chromotherapy lights that guests can change to suit their mood. Some bathrooms do not have bathtubs, or are a little small with limited counter space. 

As a small hotel in central Paris, the R de Paris offers a few surprising features. There is a hammam steam room, wood sauna, and small fitness center with a few pieces of cardio equipment and a wall-mounted flat-screen TV. The breakfast buffet includes hot eggs, sausage, bacon, cheeses, prosciutto, fruit, pastries, cereal, coffee, and juice, but is not included in room rates. The hotel does not have a sit-down restaurant for lunch and dinner, but does offer a limited room service menu for these meals. The hotel also features a laptop for guest use and free Wi-Fi, plus a 24-hour front desk that cna provide concierge services. Parking is available nearby at a public lot for a fee.