3rd Arrondissement (Le Marais), United States
Central
location in Haut-Marais near Place de la Republique
Walk to Picasso Museum in 15 minutes; the metro is just downstairs
Large rooms have flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and en-suite baths
Some rooms have balconies with Eiffel Tower views, safes, and original wood beams
Charming lounge area with a chandelier, wood floors, and crown molding
Daily breakfast served (for a fee)
Beer
and cocktails at Cafe Bar
Free
Wi-Fi throughout
Front desk open 24 hours a day
Breakfast is simple and costs extra
Some
rooms pick up loud street noise
Room decor is bland
The 46-room Paris France Hotel is a value property with Belle Epoque architecture in the vibrant and artsy Haut-Marais neighborhood. Large, straightforward rooms include air-conditioning and flat-screen TVs; some have original wood beams, leather armchairs, and balconies with distant views of the Eiffel Tower. However, some rooms pick up street noise. Drinks and coffees are served at the Cafe Bar, which also has a computer for guests' use. There is free Wi-Fi throughout, though the hotel's basic breakfast cost extra. This is an excellent pick to keep costs low in an ultra-trendy neighborhood of Paris. Guests looking for higher-end digs in the same area should consider Hotel du Petit Moulin, with rooms designed by Christian Lacroix.
Scene
A historic hotel with a charming lobby and marvelous views of Paris
The magnificent exterior of
this historic hotel was constructed in 1910 and the building's Belle Epoque architecture includes carved
arches and wrought iron balconies straight out of the city's golden age. Stone archways and
traditional mosaic tiles adorn the entrance. Inside, chandeliers and pink-striped
wallpaper look vintage against green crown
molding, antique-style leather seating, and wood floors. The breakfast room is less attractive, but still cozy. There aren't any windows and black chairs look like they belong in a cafeteria. Cafe Bar is a more modern place to unwind or gear up for a day in the city, with a red accent wall, brown leather club chairs, and frosted floor-to-ceiling windows. Guests are a good mix of young couples, families, and business travelers from outside of France.
Location
In trendy, vibrant Haut-Marais
The Paris France Hotel is
in the young, artsy area of Haut-Marais on a busy street that's known for its Belle Epoque architecture. Cafes, restaurants, shops, bars, and Place de la Republique are within a five-minute walk from the hotel, and the Temple Metro station is just downstairs. The Picasso Museum and Canal Saint-Martin, made iconic by the film "Amelie," are both 15 minutes from the hotel on foot. The
Louvre, Forum des Halles, and the Pompidou Center are around a
five-minute drive, as are the Notre Dame Cathedral and Place de la Bastille. Though you can see the Eiffel Tower from the top floors of the hotel, it'll take 15 minutes to drive there. Additionally, the metro reaches almost every tourist sight listed that's not within walking distance in 20 to 40 minutes. Charles de Gaulle
Airport is around 30 minutes' drive from the hotel, depending on traffic, as is Orly Airport.
Rooms
Simple decor and flat-screen TVs; some balconies have Eiffel Tower views
For this price range in Paris, rooms are shockingly large. The design is a bit bland and simple, with dark striped carpet and gray, red, or cream painted walls, but the rooms are more than adequate for tourists looking for a clean, comfortable place to rest at night. Light
wood furniture has a straightforward dormitory quality to it, and all rooms have air-conditioning and wall-mounted flat-screen TVs. The best rooms are on the higher floors. These don't pick up the street noise that plagues lower-floor rooms and some have balconies with distant views of the Eiffel Tower. Bathrooms are simple, with white sinks and hairdryers. Generic bar soap is provided and whether the room has a bathtub or a shower is a toss-up. The Double Superior Room that we visited has two twin beds pushed together to make a larger bed, which isn't the most comfortable sleeping option.
Features
Basic breakfast and an on-site bar
Cocktails, coffees, and beer are
served at the Cafe Bar, which also houses a computer
and printer. A simple cold breakfast is served for an extra charge, but lunch and dinner aren't available. Concierge services are offered at the 24-hour front desk, and there
is free Wi-Fi throughout the property. Airport transportation
costs extra, as does on-site parking, though this is a rare feature for any hotel in Paris.