Hotel Jacques de Molay

Although named after the last Master of the Knights Templar who used to inhabit the nearby fortress, there's little from the relatively plain exterior to hint at the Jacques de Molay hotel's centuries-old heritage. Stepping inside, however, guests are immediately met with the building's original, ancient timber beams and lattices and 400-year-old stone walls -- all wonderfully melded with sharp 21st-century touches and smart contemporary furnishings, including angular black-framed mirrors, and low-lying minimalist couches and chairs in stark white and bold violet. The creative and tasteful 2013/14 renovation of the property is evident throughout, where old and the new are elegantly juxtaposed and discreetly lit, creating a moody, medieval ambience presented with sophisticated, modern flair. The property draws a mix of tourists, and business travelers drawn to the cozy meeting room with stone walls. 

The hotel is located on a narrow street in the historic and increasingly trendy Marais neighborhood of Paris in the city's central 3rd arrondissement. Although the area is fairly un-touristy, there are plenty of restaurants, bars, and galleries within easy walking distance -- the Pompidou Center, which houses the Beaubourg Museum of Modern Art, is 10 minutes away on foot. The capital's city center tourist attractions such as the Louvre and Notre Dame are easily accessible in about 20 minutes via several nearby Metro stations all within five minutes' walk -- including Arts et Métiers. The Gare du Nord Eurostar terminal is also just a few stops -- 20 minutes -- away from the République Metro, three blocks from the hotel.

The 2013 renovation revamped all the hotel's 23 rooms with jazzy contemporary styling combining plush, faux-reptile fabrics, leather headboards, and funky patterned wallpaper. Parts of the original building can be seen, with exposed beams in some rooms, while this can also mean low-ceilings as well as a few particularly small rooms (even for Paris). In-room amenities include stocked minibars, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs. Modern bathrooms have muted wood floors and textured walls, and provide hairdryers and high-end bath products; some have shower/tub combos with rain showerheads, while smaller rooms have stall showers. Two top-floor rooms also have Juliette balconies with pleasant Paris rooftop views.

Pretty unusual for a hotel of this ilk, there is a relatively good-size fitness room with free weights and exercise machines, as well as a sauna. Petit dejeuner is served in a pleasant breakfast room with a lovely domed skylight, and includes French crepes and macaroons (though is generally not included in the rate). However, Wi-Fi is free of charge throughout the property, and scooters are available for guest use.