Housed in a narrow, six-floor, 18th-century building, the hotel can feel a bit dark and it's common areas are lifted straight from an earlier era -- it has an unmistakable, old Paris charm. The wooden reception desk is situated directly inside the glass entry doors, as is the mustard yellow lobby with its classic paintings, tapestries, and statues adorning the walls. Antique chairs, cabinets, and patterned red rugs lining the floors complete the picture, and there are fresh flowers throughout the lounge and lobby. There is a small elevator and staircase leading to upper floors and there's also a cozy lounge where breakfast is served. The room features a stone accent wall, red hooded table lamps, and a number of cushioned chairs and love seats looking out the large window. It feels like a classical Parisian salon. There is no dedicated restaurant for lunch and dinner, but guests -- who are mostly couples and a few families -- sip drinks and sit in the lounge throughout the afternoon and evening.

The hotel’s location is situated on a quiet street in St. Germain, one of the city's most chic neighborhoods that's filled with high-end shops and boutiques. The Ecole des Beaux Arts de Paris, Place Saint Michel, and a number of art galleries can be reached in ten minutes or less on foot, as can many restaurants, bars, and cafes. The Musee d'Orsay and the Louvre both take under 15 minutes to reach on foot and the Pont des Arts, the famous bridge of locks over the Seine, is seven minutes away on foot. Local landmarks Cafe de Flor and Deux Magots are around the corner, as is the Mabillon Metro station. Notre Dame can be reached by metro in 15 minutes, while it takes about 40 minutes to reach the Eiffel Tower or Montmartre. Charles de Gaulle Airport and Orly Airport are about 40 minutes away by car depending on traffic, though both can be reached using public transportation in around an hour. 

There is nothing subtle about any of the rooms here, as they are covered from floor to ceiling in vibrant wallpaper with exaggerated patterns -- like giant roses or soft blue paisley -- with bedspreads in shades to match. Beds are comfortable and feature either antique padded or brass headboards, while rooms also include brass chandeliers, antique wooden nightstands and desks, and plenty of hardwood accents throughout that give them a truly unique vibe. Each room is stocked with modern amenities as well, like a mini-fridge, electric kettle, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. Guest rooms also have (mostly) modern, spacious en-suite bathrooms with shower/tub combos that have antique fixtures, which are all super modern with slick black granite floors, large stand-alone sinks, and tiled tan walls. The bathroom in one of the Superior Rooms we visited wasn't as modern, though, with a pink granite floor and vanity. The hotel does offer courtyard rooms, but guests should know that this doesn't translate into a quaint view -- instead these rooms look onto neighboring buildings and a quieter (though the street itself isn't terribly noisy). 

For an extra fee, the hotel offers a buffet breakfast featuring fresh pastries, cheese, and coffee, and the Old World-style lounge is open all day and evening, where guests can relax with a book, a coffee, or a drink from the licensed bar. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and the front desk is staffed 24 hours a day and can help with taxi reservations, tour, and restaurant recommendations. Airport transfers can also be arranged.