France Louvre

Blink and you'll miss this hotel's narrow entryway on the Rue de Rivoli. Tucked between stores, the entrance is nothing more than a small mirrored hall with a 24-hour reception counter, and stairs and an elevator in the back leading up to the rest of the hotel. The real lobby space is one floor up, in a lounge that's a few steps up from shabby, but nonetheless quaint and welcoming. The lounge has the feel of an Old World drawing room, with striped beige and tan walls, arched mirrors, and salmon-upholstered seating. Large windows overlook the action of the Rue de Rivoli and let in lots of light. In one corner is a desk with a computer for guest use and on the far wall is a fireplace and table with free coffee, tea, and candy. Hotel hallways are narrow and have motion-sensing lights.

There's not much else to the five-story hotel besides this lounge and the rooms -- no bells and whistles like a bar, exercise room, restaurant, or even room service -- but it remains at or near full occupancy year round with couples and solo travelers, drawn by its competitive rates and excellent Marais location.

France Louvre is located on world-famous Rue de Rivoli -- the main street of Le Marais. The district is a historic, medieval-feeling neighborhood that is home to some of the best shopping and nightlife in Paris. The tiny cobbled lanes of Marais are packed with vintage clothing stores, bars, art galleries, creperies, and falafal restaurants. Many attractions are within walking distance, including Hotel de Ville (the imposing city hall of Paris, a five-minute walk away), The Centre Pompidou (a museum of 20th- and 21st-century art, a seven-minute walk), and Musee National Picasso (a nine-minute walk). It takes about 10 minutes to cross the Seine and get to Ile de la Cite, home to Notre-Dame and Sainte Chapelle. In about the same time, you can reach Place des Vosges, a lovely and historic colonnaded square. To access other parts of Paris, the Saint-Paul (line 1) and Hotel de Ville (lines 1 and 11) metro stops are close by. The mega-station Chatelet (lines 1, 4, 7, 11, and 14) is six minutes from the hotel by foot. Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports are both about 40 minutes to an hour away by taxi. Both can be reached by public transit in about an hour.

France Louvre's 34 rooms break into three categories: Single, Double Standard, and Superior. Singles and Double Standards are self-explanatory (one twin and one double bed, respectively), while Superiors are available with either one double or two twin beds.

Rooms appear a tad dowdy, with mismatched furnishings and dated curtains. Even with their less-than-modern look, they are all well-sized and comfortable. All have flat-screen HDTVs with satellite French-language channels, and free coffee, tea, bottled water, and pre-packaged galette cookies. Wi-Fi and safes are free. Some rooms have mini-fridges, and space heaters are available. In the bathrooms, there are either have shower/tub combos or walk-in showers, as well as hairdryers and Durance toiletries.

Rooms either overlook the bustling Rue de Rivoli or the courtyard between the buildings (which is more of an airshaft). Courtyard-facing rooms are more quiet than rooms in the front of the building, but also darker. There are no phones in the rooms, so front-desk requests have to be made in person.

When booking, guests have the option of adding breakfast to their rates. Served in the building's vaulted stone cellar, France Louvre's breakfast consists of breads, croissants, and chocolate croissants (delivered fresh daily), eggs, a selection of cold meats and cheese, yogurt, coffee, and juice. Free coffee, tea, and bonbons are available in the lounge during the day. In one corner of the lounge, there is a computer for guest use. Wi-Fi is free throughout France Louvre, and pets are allowed.