Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opera

There's no
mistaking the elegantly ornate facade of the Hotel Scribe -- with its intricate
wrought-iron railings and neo-classical flourishes --
as being the work of the renowned Baron Haussmann. It was built in 1861 as part
of the new Opera district and since its opening has featured one of the most
storied histories of any hotel in Paris. Home to the legendary Jockey Club, it
was where the invention of cinema was showcased in 1895 and a few months later
the first X-rays were first presented to the world here. The hotel has also
hosted a roll-call of artists and writers including Marcel Proust and Jules
Verne. Stepping inside, guests find the elegant and spacious lobby is illuminated with
cut-glass chandeliers, while velvet-covered furnishings and fin-de-siècle touches
evoke the building's rich past. Wide hallways are finished in sleek Art Deco
styling, and black-and-white photographs and artworks throughout also
celebrate the hotel's various historical legacies.

The hotel is set
on a picturesque and busy street in the 9th arrondissement in the center of
Paris's Right Bank. It's a lively hub of culture, business, and nightlife with
plenty of boutiques, restaurants, cafes, and bars a short stroll away, including
the hip SoPi (South of Pigalle) neighborhood. The Opera Garnier opera house and
Place Vendôme square are within five minutes on foot, while just a block away
is the Opéra Metro with lines that connect to the Louvre museum in three stops
and the Gare de l'Est train terminal in four. Its also about a 30 to 40 minutes'
drive from both Orly and Charles De Gaulle airports. 

The hotel has 213
rooms, all of which are decorated in a mixture of classical French touches with
modern furnishings, patterned carpets, and striped drapery. The overall effect
is rather underwhelming compared to the more extravagant public areas and some
rooms are poorly maintained in places. Amenities include HD TVs, free (though
sometimes slow) Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee facilities, while upgraded rooms have Nespresso machines and bathrobes. Room service is available 24/7 and suites
also include Bose iPod docks. Bathrooms are traditionally styled with walk-in
showers or shower/tub combos and provide Hermés products; however, they don't feel as spacious or luxe as one may expect from this caliber of hotel. Rooms all have street
or courtyard garden views and quadruple-glaze windows that help keep traffic
noise to a minimum. Typical for Paris, rooms are generally small. 

An extensive
buffet breakfast with cooked-to-order options is served daily in the
lavishly-decorated breakfast room, though it isn't generally included in room rates and
the service can get crowded during busier times. The glass-roofed Lumière
restaurant serves a choice of set or a la carte fine dining menus created by
Michelin-starred chef Sébastien Crison. L'Obscur bar serves an impressive
selection of cocktails in vintage surroundings, while the 1 T. Rue Scribe is an
elegant old-school tea room with a library. The hotel's Keirao Spa offers
high-concept spa treatments together with a steam bath and whirlpool facilities. There is also a gym with up-to-date equipment, but it's small.