Le Roi de Sicile

Le Roi de Sicile is a modern apartment-style hotel set on the busy Rue de Sicile in the heart of the lively Marais district. The frontage stands out among the more traditional cafes that surround it, with a smart gray entrance leading into the small, neat lobby. Bright pop art and furniture add a bit of character, and stone stairs with black wrought-iron banisters wind up to the apartments. Still, this is mostly a place to unwind in a home-like setting after a day exploring, as features are few and far between and there are almost no common areas. The apartments appeal to families and couples looking for a more independent stay in the heart of the city.

Le Roi de Sicile is in the heart of the Marais, which is full of small streets lined with boutiques and restaurants. There are several cafes nearby, and a small supermarket just around the corner, a two-minute walk away. It's a 10-minute walk across the Seine to Notre Dame Cathedral, and also 10 minutes to the pretty Place de Vosges to browse the galleries under the arches. The Louvre Museum is a longer 20-minute walk, but can be reached easily via the metro in around 15 minutes (City Hall is the closest station, a five-minute walk from the hotel). It's a 10-minute walk to Chatelet Metro station, which connects directly to Gare de Nord in about 10 minutes. Chatelet Metro is also linked to Gare de Chatelet, where you can pick up the train to Charles de Gaulle Airport, with a transit time of around an hour door-to-door. The airport run takes about 40 minutes by car, and the hotel can arrange a transfer if needed. 

One of the nicest things about the apartments here is that there's just one per floor, which creates a private atmosphere. Decor is chic, with a neutral color scheme of brown and cream, plus contemporary artwork, sculptures, and patterned feature walls. The hotel is on a busy street with a lot of traffic, so some noise from outside can be heard, especially in the lower level rooms -- it's worth going higher if that's a factor. Rooms are spacious by Parisian standards, and have a good array of amenities including air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with DVD players, iPod docking stations, safes, irons, slippers and free Wi-Fi. The kitchens have stainless steel dishwashers, plus stovetops, ovens, fridges, coffeemakers, toasters, and kettles with a range of teas. Studios have small dining tables and desks, while the larger two-room apartments have separate bedrooms and living areas with sofa beds (these also add Nespresso machines). The Duplex Suite is arranged over two floors, with a cute second bedroom in the eaves. Bathrooms are sleek, with large rainfall showers, hairdryers, and products by top fragrance designer Pascual Morabito.

Le Roi de Sicile is an apartment hotel, so features are minimal, but the staff are on hand to help with any arrangements needed, from transfers to the airport or stations, to restaurant recommendations and bookings. The reception is manned during daytime hours and a number is provided for out-of-hours. The hotel has lifts to all floors, and Wi-Fi is free throughout. Features may be limited but attention to detail here is excellent -- each day beds are made up in a different way with different cushions and covers, and there's a shoe-shine machine in the lobby for guests heading out to dinner or meetings.