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.