Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel

The Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel is one of a cluster of imposing slabs of modern steel and glass architecture that stand practically in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. Through a large revolving door, inside the scene is of shimmering polished surfaces -- glass panels, mirrors, and stone floors reflecting sharp, contemporary lines, low-profile furnishings, and the glare from numerous spotlights. Minimalist 21st-century styling continues throughout the hotel with sleek, smart corridors dotted with design furniture and the occasional wall of brick-effect tiling for a flourish of post-industrial chic -- though it can all end up feeling a little sterile. Clientele are a mixture of business guests who appreciate the no-nonsense, modernity of the hotel and tourists keen to stay soak up views of the iconic tower.

The hotel is located in a relatively quiet street just around the corner from the Eiffel Tower in the 15th arrondissement of Paris. Across the street there a football field and running track and the surrounding neighborhood is full of restaurants, cafes, and bars servicing the many tourists milling around the area. The nearest metro station, Bir-Hakeim, is a five-minute walk away and connects directly to the Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées high-end shopping. The same distance is the Champ de Mars - Tour Eiffel RER station which provides trains along La Seine to the center of Paris and to attractions such as the Notre Dame Cathedral and Louvre Museum.

There are a whopping 430 rooms in total, all renovated in 2013, and they continue the hotel's contemporary minimalist styling -- a monochrome palette of crisp white and cool gray with the odd splash of color. In-room tech is particularly impressive -- free fiber-optic Wi-Fi and 40-inch flat-screen TVs with free movies come as standard, while most rooms also provide iPod docks and Nespresso machines. Bathrooms are predictably smart and modern, with CO Bigelow products and shower/tub combos or walk-in showers. Most rooms feature at least a partial view of the Eiffel Tower, some from balconies, with higher-level rooms offering the best views -- be sure to put a request in.

The hotel's California-inspired brasserie features open-kitchen dining on marble-topped tables opening onto a terrace in warmer weather (albeit overlooking the road). A lower-ground floor restaurant provides an extensive breakfast (not usually included in the rate) as well as a covered al fresco terrace. A spacious fitness center is open around the clock and has stunning panoramic views over the Eiffel Tower and Paris skyline. Guests also have access to a connectivity lounge with computers, tablets, and printers.