Hotel Abbatial Saint Germain

Silver sphere pendant lamps hang from the ceiling of the lobby of this hotel, which was renovated in 2011. An almost hallucinatory black-and-white diamond pattern covers the walls, and bright-red and orange furniture offer a melodrama of contrasting colors. The hallways have an interesting plaster and exposed timber design, with bright red doors and trim. Black-and-white checks cover the stairs and the hallway floors.

Located in the fifth arrondissement about eight blocks east of the Boulevard Saint-Michel, the Hotel Abbatial, while on the busy Boulevard Saint-Germain, is in the quieter end of the Latin Quarter, with plenty of restaurants, bars, and cafes nearby. Several sights and museums are within walking distance, including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Cluny Museum of Medieval Art, and the Pantheon. The Luxembourg Gardens are within a 15- to 20-minute walk. The hotel is closest (about a five-minute walk) to metro station Maubert Mutualite (Line 10, which crosses the city east to west). Charles de Gaulle Airport is about 40 minutes away by car or taxi.

The 43 rooms come in six categories -- Standard, Comfort, Superior, Deluxe, Triple, Communicating (two rooms with connecting doors), and Studio Rooms. Rooms differ in their views and the numbers of beds, but all have minibars, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and bedside reading lamps. All but Standard Rooms have coffeemakers. The brown carpets vary in their patterns (some are floral, others geometric), and the contemporary furniture includes small work desks. Modern bathrooms have walk-in rainfall showers or shower/tub combos (also with rainfall-style showerheads). Some rooms have exposed timbers, preserved and integrated into the modern design, creating odd angles and nooks that make them stand out, while others have Juliet balconies with city views. Larger and more luxurious Studio Rooms have exposed stone walls, huge bathrooms with open rainfall showers, and the same wild decor seen in the lobby. 

Adjacent to the lobby, a library lounge has more books depicted in its wallpaper than are actually on the shelves, but there are some handy guidebooks along with a pair of iPads for guests' use. The 18th-century cellar has a vaulted stone ceiling where a breakfast buffet of yogurt, cereal, ham, cheese, baguettes, croissants, a variety of jams and Nutella, and hard-boiled eggs is served for an additional charge. Free W-Fi is available throughout the property.