Villa Montparnasse

A post-industrial exterior with wrought-iron Juliet balconies leads into the classically Parisian lobby, a small space with a mahogany front desk, crown molding, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Potted plants adorn the area and there is a cozy lobby lounge with tan tile, neutral armchairs, and a small wooden bar. Free newspapers are available and a nature theme runs throughout the hotel, most notably in the vibrant mural of a monkey in the elevator. The breakfast room feels homey, with yellow diamond-patterned wallpaper on the walls and nature-inspired artwork giving the space a little life. Red tablecloths sit on mid-tone wood tables and there is a serving area along one wall. Hallways are decorated with tan armchairs and guests here are predominantly tourist couples.

Montparnasse is a neighborhood known for its artist-filled history and the hotel sits adjacent to the Montparnasse Cemetery (where Baudelaire is buried) in a quiet corner of the neighborhood. There is a small cafe just downstairs that has charming outdoor tables looking out onto the street. The Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art, the Paris Catacombs, Place Denfert-Rocherau, and the metro are a five-minute walk away from the hotel. Restaurants, shops, and Bobino -- a major performance space -- are a 10-minute walk from the hotel while the Luxembourg Gardens and Tour Montparnasse take 15 minutes to reach on foot. The Pantheon, Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre are around a 10-minute drive from the hotel, or about 30 minutes via metro. Plan on a 40-minute drive to either Orly or Charles de Gaulle Airports, though times vary wildly due to traffic, and both can be reached by public transportation in around an hour.

Classically decorated rooms have tan wallpaper and wood molding around the doors and ceilings that are all offset by brown carpets. Light colored, wood-frame chairs provide seating, though some rooms have attractive white armchairs, and wall art picks up the nature theme that runs throughout the hotel, with antique style prints of birds and leaves. Flat-screen TVs sit on mid-tone wood furniture, with minibars hidden inside, and while most rooms have balconies, some have exceptional views of the Eiffel Tower in the distance (though guests will have to be comfortable looking out on Montparnasse Cemetery as well). All rooms are air-conditioned, however, there's significant wear and tear on the antique-style furniture and rooms do not have coffeemakers. Brown and yellow tile cover the walls, floors, and shower/tub combos of the slightly outdated bathrooms, which also have gray marble countertops, makeup mirrors, and toiletries, though some rooms only have stand-up showers.

Features at Villa Montparnasse are limited but convenient. Breakfast is included in room rates and there is 24-hour room service, but no full restaurant. Cocktails and wine are served at the lobby bar, and free Wi-Fi runs throughout, but guests complain the connection is slow and sporadic. There is no on-site parking offered. Airport transportation and private car services can both be arranged for additional fees and the front desk is staffed 24 hours a day.