11, avenue Villemain, 14th Arr., Paris, France | (618) 248-8274
In a quiet, residential neighborhood between Montparnasse and the Porte de Versailles
Two blocks to metro station
Removed from the tourist hubub but is close to many small shops, restaurants, bakeries, and cafes
Hotel is stylishly designed with sleek decor and furniture, and has interesting art
Beds have high-end linens and high-quality mattresses
Garden patio with seating
Free Wi-Fi, and a computer, printer, and fax are available in the lobby
Wine and Champagne bar with happy hour
Rooms are small, even by Paris standards
Guests complain that the Wi-Fi signal is weak
The 36-room boutique Fred Hotel offers a slice of chic in a true Parisian neighborhood south of Montparnasse. Rooms are small but smartly appointed, with modern furniture and great art on the walls. Free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and ample toiletries are nice touches. The hotel is located on a quiet street in a neighborhood of the 14th arrondissement that has retained its village personality, and is studded with restaurants, bars, and shops. It's a three- to five-minute walk to a metro station (Plaisance, Line 13) that connects to the more touristy Paris.
Scene
The Fred Hotel embodies Paris chic in a village-like neighborhood
The cool and slick Fred Hotel sits on a quiet street in a neighborhood of village charm. Two potted plants stand sentry at its door, and wrought-iron detailing graces its windows. Inside, wood, shades of gray, and splashes of orange predominate. The lobby has a modern fireplace, a seating area, and is full of art books and quirky yet tasteful sculpture. The bar serves a curated list of wines and Champagne (it helps that the hotel's director is also a sommelier). There’s a chic, plant-filled little patio where these wines_ can be sipped _when weather permits, and a tiny, handsome breakfast room. A stay here might seem like visiting the home of a hopelessly, effortlessly, fabulously stylish friend. The vibe is sophisticated, yet friendly and unpretentious.
Location
In a lovely, quiet neighborhood south of Montparnasse near the metro
Located in a pretty, largely residential neighborhood of the 14th arrondissement, the Fred Hotel is a little off the beaten path, but it's two blocks from the Plaisance metro station (Line 13), which includes stops for the Champs-Elysees and the famous flea market at Porte de St. Ouen. The line also connects to Gare Montparnasse (three stops from Plaisance), which links to three other metro lines, including Line 6, which stops at the Eiffel Tower. The hotel is within walking distance of several restaurants, and L'Entrepot, a cultural center that offers movies, concerts, and art shows, and also has a restaurant.
Rooms
Small rooms with stylish design and furnishings
The Fred Hotel’s rooms are small, especially the Classic Rooms, even for Paris. The Superior Rooms are a bit larger, and Luxury Rooms have sitting areas, a sofa bed, and sky windows. All the rooms are thoughtfully and beautifully decorated in a modern style with funky, tasteful artwork (the owners are art connoisseurs, and it shows) and sleek, cool furniture and fixtures. The wood, shades of gray, and hits of black and orange predominate here too, and details include great colors on the walls, and high-quality linens and mattresses that sit atop well-designed beds. Rooms have Nespresso machines and coffee cups, flat-screen TVs, bed reading lights, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are outfitted in attractive tiling, and have Italian-style walk-in showers with rain showerheads, and plenty of toiletries.
Features
A lovely hotel bar, and a garden patio
Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the property. The hotel bar is a nice, sophisticated spot to meet friends or relax at the end of the day. The garden patio provides a spot to sip wine, and read one of the newspapers or art books scattered around the lobby. Childcare, laundry, and breakfast are available for a fee.