Paris France Hotel

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.