Best Western Jardin De Cluny

Housed in an 1890 building, this hotel makes a chic, boutique-like first impression. The lobby has an elegant vibe, with warm oak floors, heavy walnut furniture, and tan retro chairs all abutting windows that look out onto the charming street. Mirrored ceilings are a risky design choice, but they actually add a glittery, expansive element to the space, and there are plenty of intimate nooks to relax in and wait for fellow guests. An additional, extremely cozy lounge is located downstairs, replete with overstuffed gray couches and chairs as well as a TV and honor bar. The hotel is ideal for couples, though families and business travelers pass through here as well.

The Latin Quarter is one of Paris’ legendary neighborhoods, retaining most of its charm despite being a tourist magnet. The hotel is on a quiet side street away from most of the hordes; the neighborhood is packed with cafes, bars, and restaurants, and be prepared for a healthy mark up at any of those venues. Notre Dame Cathedral is a five-minute walk northeast from the hotel as is the scenic Seine River, while the Luxembourg Palace and Gardens are 10 minutes southeast, and the legendary Sorbonne is just around the corner, a three-minute walk. The Pompidou Center, a striking museum that holds the city’s contemporary art collections, is a 15- to 20-minute walk across the river, as is the fringe of the Marais, the city’s trendy arts district. Maubert-Mutualite Metro station is around the corner from the hotel for easy access to almost any destination throughout the city. Orly Airport to the south takes about 25 minutes to reach by taxi, while Charles de Gaulle Airport is a 40 minute ride northeast depending on traffic.

There are several room categories for guests to choose from here, with decor varying significantly. Deluxe Rooms are by far the nicest, with retro-futuristic elements juxtaposed against eye-catching details like a pond’s-edge mural of stones and wild grass above comfortable king-sized beds that seem to float. Light wood laminate dominates these rooms and the gray-and-tan color scheme feels modern and fresh, with furnishings relying upon Scandinavian minimalism. Superior Rooms are muddled, with red faux-alligator accents walls that could be sexy if not for furniture straight from the late ’80s, stuffy floral drapes, and wall-to-wall carpets. Classic Rooms are stylish and simple with grays throughout, from the wood laminate floors to bed skirts and walls. With no wall art to speak of, the only pops of color come from velvet desk chairs and ottomans in a warm tan color.

All rooms include free bottled water, desks, electric kettles with coffee or tea, mini-fridges with minibars, electric safes, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and telephones, while Deluxe Rooms also have iPod docks. En-suite bathrooms also vary in quality. Classic Rooms have stand-up showers and toiletries, with large white marble vanities and tiled floors. Superior Room bathrooms look a bit outdated, with dark marble vanities and older fixtures, while Deluxe Room bathrooms are thoroughly contemporary with tub/shower combos, though these bathrooms are only separated from the rest of the room by curtains. All guest units are on the small side, though Deluxe Rooms and Junior Suites have a bit more space.

This hotel is Ecolabel certified by the EU for meeting a variety of green milestones relating to water, energy, and sustainability. The Best Western offers a free breakfast buffet to guests if rooms are booked directly through its website. The buffet includes hot and cold options, and the breakfast room is an atmospheric way to start the day amidst vaulted stone walls and ceilings. There’s no on-site bar or restaurant, though, but the Latin Quarter is bursting with options on both fronts. Babysitting services are available for guests with small children and laundry and dry cleaning services can also be arranged. The 24-hour front desk provides concierge services and there are free newspapers available in the lobby, which also has an honor bar and computer station. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.