Grande Hotel de Paris

Upon first glance, there's plenty of Old World elegance to this hotel, which was built in 1877. A marble staircase leading up to fancy white French doors under a darling transom window sets the charming tone. This historic hotel has hosted several prominent guests, and today, vintage furnishings, antique paintings, and tapestry rugs give the property a museum-like feel. Pastel walls with decorative wood paneling add sweet appeal to the lobby and parlor-like bar, and vintage typewriters bring a bit of nostalgia to the book exchange room. The hotel has a small Exhibition Hall that, during our visit, featured a display of international currency from prior guests. The breakfast buffet is served to guests -- who are mainly leisure travelers -- in the Belle Epoque room, where fresh flowers and white table clothes bring elegance to the dining room. Seating is also available outside, where fruit trees, colorful flowers, large cacti, and a fish pond make for beautiful scenery that's rare to find so close to the city's core.

Grande Hotel de Paris’ location is a huge plus. The hotel sits on a cobblestone street in the historic-yet-trendy part of town near plenty of restaurants, galleries, and shops. It’s a four-minute walk to the city’s main train station, Sao Bento, where there is also a metro station. The UNESCO World Heritage-protected Ribeira Square is a 15-minute walk away, and several of the city’s main sightseeing attractions are within walking distance including Clerigos Tower (four minutes), Bolsa Palace (11 minutes), and Monument Church of St. Francis (12 minutes). There’s no parking on-site, which means unloading luggage from a vehicle on the narrow, one-way street and parking in a garage a few blocks away -- it may be a hassle to some guests. Casa da Musica, a major concert hall space, is a 10-minute drive or metro ride from the hotel, while Estadio do Dragao soccer stadium can be reached in 15-minutes by car (20 minutes by metro from Trindade). It's 20 minutes by car to the airport, or a 45-minute trip by metro or train.

Compared with the rest of the property, the rooms at Grande Hotel de Paris feel a bit bare and underwhelming. They're pleasant enough, but look very much like the budget and mid-range rooms that crowd seemingly every town in southern Europe. Red curtains and patterned bed runners bring a little color to the otherwise plain rooms with wooden floors and white walls. Only a token, tiny framed black-and-white photo hangs on the wall, as well as a few old-school hooded sconces. The rooms have a few classic furnishings like simple wooden desks and sconce lighting. All rooms have small wall-mounted tube TVs and free Wi-Fi, though some guests complain of problems with the connection. The hotel has plans to upgrade to flat-screen TVs in 2016, so check ahead if this will be an issue for you. An array of sizes and shapes are available, and Family Rooms are also available. It's worth noting that these are the only rooms that have air-conditioning in the hotel. There's also a daily fee for use of the safe. Bathrooms are small and plain, with white tile floors and walls and either stand-up showers or shower/tub combinations. There's little in the way of counter space and limited toiletries are provided. Keep in mind that rooms facing the street are liable to pick up a lot of noise, especially on the weekends.

Given it's two-and-a-half-pearl status, it won't be surprising that features are limited here. The hotel provides a free breakfast buffet including cold cuts, cheeses, and a variety of breads -- the spread earns good reviews from past guests. The breakfast room is a charming space, and an outdoor terrace offers garden views. There’s also a bar in a parlor-like room with limited seating. The hotel has a book exchange where guests are encouraged to take and leave books, a process that's resulted in a library with books in several languages. There’s an internet corner in the lobby, with one computer, and the hotel has an exhibition hall with antique photographs and displays. Wi-FI is free throughout the property, though can be spotty. The hotel's front desk can also help arrange various tours and excursions.