Acacias Etoile Hotel

The Acacias Etoile Hotel is a contemporary boutique property that's ideal as a base for exploring Paris. The six-story white facade is accented with red awnings and Juliet balconies. Inside, decor is clean, well-maintained, and contemporary with a neutral color palette. While the lobby isn't much of a hangout spot, two adjacent breakfast rooms and a small courtyard offer guests public spaces to relax. The main breakfast area features wood floors, beige walls, and brown dining chairs with nailhead trim. There's even an elevator -- albeit tiny -- a nice bonus for a small Parisian hotel. The small rooms and location attract business guests, solo travelers, and couples, and kid-friendly amenities make this an option for small families, too. 

The Acacias Etoile Hotel is on a relatively quiet street near the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysees, and the Palais des Congrès convention center. While not in the heart of Paris' central tourist area, there are endless shops and cafes in the surrounding streets. There are two metro stops very close by, making it easy to sightsee farther afield. The Argentine metro stop (line 1) is just a two-minute walk, while the Charles de Gaulle Etoile metro stop is a five-minute walk. The latter serves subway lines 1, 2, and 6, and offers easy access to Charles de Gaulle Airport and the La Defense business district via the RER A commuter train.

• Seven-minute walk to the Arc de Triomphe
• 10-minute walk to the Le Palais des Congrès (convention center)
• 20 minutes to the Musee d'Orsay via public transit
• 21 minutes to the Louvre Museum via public transit
• 25 minutes to the Eiffel Tower via public transit
• 28 minutes to Notre Dame Cathedral via public transit
• 29 minutes to La Defense business district via public transit
• 33 minutes to Sacré-Cœur via public transit
• 55 minutes to Orly Airport via public transit
• One hour to Charles de Gaulle Airport via public transit

Guest rooms are small but tasteful with clean, contemporary decor in neutral tones. Taupe carpeting in a Swiss-dot pattern, beige walls, and headboards with a slight satin shimmer are found in every room. Details like brass swing-arm lamps and floral artwork brighten the spaces. Bathrooms tend to be quite compact with neutral tiling and narrow shower stalls, though upgraded rooms add tubs. 

The hotel's 36 rooms include Singles, Classics, and Superior Rooms, the latter of which are both doubles. Rooms are tiny -- even the largest Superior Rooms don't break 175 square feet -- but that's not unheard of for a mid-range Parisian property. All rooms have individually controlled air-conditioning, double-glazed windows, and desks with upholstered chairs, plus flat-screen TVs with international channels, free Wi-Fi, and safes. Minibars and coffee/tea service (with electric kettles) are a nice bonus not always found in three-pearl hotels. Bathrooms have hairdryers and individual toiletries. 

Like most small-scale, mid-range Paris hotels, this one has limited extra property features. The continental breakfast is simple and costs an extra fee, but guests tend to enjoy it. It's served until late morning in a pleasant, contemporary breakfast room. There are even a few tables outside in a small but charming courtyard. The hotel has no full-service restaurant or bar, but there's an honesty bar along with free coffee and tea offered in the afternoons. Unlike many other mid-range hotels, room service is offered here in the evenings as well as for breakfast.

Wi-Fi throughout the hotel is free and an iPad is available to borrow at reception. Guests can also rent a smartphone with unlimited internet and free international calling, available for a daily fee. For guests traveling with children, the hotel has cribs, high chairs, and bottle warmers on hand. The front desk is open 24 hours.