The place is essentially home to the owners, and the lobby their living room. Though a bit cluttered with stacks of books, brown leather and cushioned chairs, a wood piano topped with candlesticks, and wall art ranging from framed flower prints to a violin, the lobby is comfortable and homey -- and a great place to meet other visitors and socialize. The breakfast room is set up in a social manner as well, with a large dining table where coffee is served individually, and guests help themselves to boiled eggs, fruit, yogurt, and croissants. The rooms are upstairs from the lobby, and the breakfast room downstairs. There is a lift between upstairs guest rooms, but not between the living and dining areas; guests should be aware that the staircase is steep and narrow. 

In the quiet, fashionable, and culturally rich Marais district of Old Paris, Hotel du Haut sits on a peaceful pedestrian street across from an elementary school and steps away from a variety of art galleries, shops, and restaurants. Place de Vosges, Ile Saint-Louis, and Beauboug are within 15- to 25-minutes' walk. The hotel is within a 10-minute walk of the Picasso Museum and Centre Georges Pompidou. Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre Museum are about a 20- to 25-minute walk away. Guests can reach the Arts et Metiers Metro stop (3 and 11 lines) in a few minutes on foot. By Metro, the Eiffel Tower is about 40 minutes away. Charles de Gaulle Airport can be reached in 30 to 40 minutes by car.

Rooms are small and somewhat dark, but cozy and thoughtfully decorated. Like the lounge area, guest rooms have exposed wooden ceiling beams, dark earth tones mixed with eclectic patterns, wood furniture found in flea markets, and individualized wall art. There are five guest rooms and two suites -- both designed in more contemporary fashion, with flashy red walls, animal print rugs, and metal accessories and appliances. There is also an apartment with full kitchen, bedroom, and sofa bed. Bathrooms are small, and have colorfully patterned or mosaic tiling; some are equipped with shower/tub combos, and some with spacious stall showers. Each room has a safe and flat-screen TV, but only the apartment has a fridge and kettle.

Functioning like a bed-and-breakfast, the Hotel du Haut includes an ample breakfast spread in its room price, with boiled eggs, meats, cheeses, yogurt, bread, croissants, and coffee. There is free Wi-Fi access in guest rooms and public areas. The owners can recommend nearby restaurants, and help with airport transfers and other reservations.