Artus Hotel by MH

Compared to many of its traditional neighbors in St-Germain-des-Pres, Artus Hotel feels fresh, fun, and modern. Mid-century furniture and boldly colored interiors stand out from the sea of antiques and toile used in other hotels. The property's turquoise lobby makes a bold first impression, with its gold front desk, artfully arranged seating areas, and floor-to-ceiling bookshelf/art display. But the lobby isn’t only about looks -- it’s utilitarian as well. In one corner guests can make themselves Nespresso drinks and grab bottled water from a tiny fridge. In another corner, there’s a small business center with a computer and a printer. The property's looks, location, and rates draw a hodgepodge of guests with different ages and nationalities. During our visit we encountered an American couple celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary, an Australian family with young kids, and a friend group of 30-somethings from Portugal. 

Artus Hotel is located on a bustling side street in St-Germain-des-Pres, a charming, classically Parisian neighborhood in the 6th Arrondissement. St. Germain is known for its shopping, dining, and famous cafes -- Les Deux Magots and Cafe de Flore, are just a five-minute walk from the hotel. Other nearby attractions include the Luxembourg Gardens (eight-minute walk), the Louvre (11-minute walk), Notre Dame (15-minute walk), and Musee d’Orsay (17-minute walk). The nearest metro stations are Saint Germain-des-Pres (line 4) and Mabillon (line 10), both of which are about a three-minute walk away. From the hotel, Charles du Gaulle International Airport is a 55-minute drive, and Orly International Airport is a 35-minute drive.

Rooms at Artus offer a vivid twist on traditional Parisian decor. They’re colorfully adorned with funky mid-century furniture and pop art prints, which are often paired with red, purple, and green wallpaper. Beds are topped in quilts in primary colors and pillows in geometric prints. Stylish armoires and shelving units provide ample storage, but rooms are tight on space otherwise. In-room amenities include fully stocked minibars, electric kettles, ironing equipment, and electronic safes, and bathrooms are stocked with L’Occitane toiletries -- a luxe little perk. Bathrooms are equally bold in eye-opening yellow tile vanities and marble showers with rainfall showerheads, but they do lack privacy. Only the separated toilet vestibules have doors. Artus has five different room types ranging from tiny Standard Rooms to two-story Duplexes. The 430 square feet Exclusive Suite occupies an entire floor and has its own private rooftop terrace. Besides offering more space, suites are also equipped with extra amenities, like Nespresso machines.

Artus has somewhat limited features for an upscale hotel, although that's not unusual for a small-scale Parisian property. The hotel serves a daily breakfast buffet in its basement breakfast room. Painted in a lively shade of aqua and decorated with green and purple accents, the breakfast room is a colorful wakeup call that feels far more airy than subterranean. Two-top tables are lined up against a long banquette, while the buffet is displayed across two marble counters. The buffet consists of hot items like eggs and bacon, along with fresh pastries, fruit, yogurt, and an assortment of meats and cheeses. Breakfast isn’t included in most room rates, but guests can elect to purchase a breakfast package upon arrival. There is no full-service restaurant on-site, but there are tons of restaurants and cafes within walking distance. The tiny spa/fitness center at Artus isn’t a great use of space. The tiny room is crammed with a massage table, an exercise bike, a sauna, and a shower, which makes this area feel chaotic instead of relaxing. Gym-goers will likely be unimpressed by the room’s sole exercise bike, and spa-hopefuls probably won’t enjoy staring at gym equipment while they use the sauna. In our opinion, the room could be better utilized if it only had one focus. Nevertheless, guests can use the sauna and the exercise bike for free, but need to pay extra for massage services. Massages must be booked in advance. Artus offers free Wi-Fi, which works well across the property. Guests can also access the internet in the lobby’s computer station, which has a PC and a printer. Artus is pet-friendly for an additional nightly fee, and welcomes small and medium-size pets.