Le Derby Alma is an upscale, 33-room boutique hotel in a quiet neighborhood within a seven-minute walk of the Eiffel Tower and a four-minute walk to the Seine. The hotel has a small but stylish lobby bar and lounge and a small breakfast room that serves a daily buffet (though it's a little pricey), but there is no full restaurant or gym. Rooms are modern, clean, and fairly spacious for a central Paris hotel, and they include minibars with free soft drinks, iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi. Room service is available in the evening. Travelers could also consider Hotel La Bourdonnais, a comparable property even closer to the Eiffel Tower with a more classic look.

Within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower, Hotel Valadon Colors is a mid-range boutique property located in the 7th Arrondissement, one of Paris's poshest (and most sedate) neighborhoods. Each of the hotel's 12 rooms has a distinct, contemporary design, and range from Doubles or Twins to a Family cottage and Junior Suite, both of which can sleep up to five (two adults and three children). Room perks include free Wi-Fi, newspapers, and coffeemakers. The Valadon Colors is an annex of the Hotel Cadran -- a one-minute walk away -- where Valadon guests can partake of the breakfast buffet (for an extra fee) and use the business center. Travelers who like this neighborhood might want to also consider the Hotel de Londres Eiffel, which has much more traditional Parisian decor and similar amenities, including in-room minibars.