Apostrophe Hotel

The Hotel Apostrophe's quirky, romantic style is apparent even at street level, as its facade is silhouetted with leaves and branches giving an "enchanted forest" look. Inside, that fanciful style takes root in the lobby, with colorful seating, a cozy fireplace, and faux tree-bark walls with carved hearts and initials. Lovely hardcover books dotting shelves play up the hotel's nod to literature and the arts (appropriate given the area's historic literati). The cafe tables and jewel-toned seats double as a breakfast nook in the mornings, where guests can be spotted nibbling baskets of pastries. Many staying here are couples on honeymoons or celebrating anniversaries. But some business travelers do make it here as well, drawn by the hotel's charm and its artsy location. 

Hotel Apostrophe Rive Gauche is tucked away on a quiet street in the 6th Arrondissement in Montparnasse, just two blocks from Luxembourg Gardens. This neighborhood isn't touristy, and it has plenty of Left Bank charm, along with restaurants and shops. Still, most top sights aren't within walking distance, a drawback for sightseeing guests. The handy Line 4 metro is nearby, and it's about 15-minutes on foot to one of the city's major train stations, Gare Montparnasse.- Three-minute walk to Vavin Metro station

• Eight-minute walk to Luxembourg Gardens
• 19 minutes to Musée d'Orsay via metro
• 20 minutes to Notre-Dame via metro
• 26 minutes to Arc de Triomphe via metro
• 28 minutes to Eiffel Tower via metro
• 29 minutes to Champs-Élysées via metro
• 29 minutes to Musée du Louvre via metro
• 34 minutes to Place des Vosges via metro
• 35 minutes to Sacré-Cœur via metro
• 26-minute drive to Orly Airport 
• 48-minute drive to Charles de Gaulle Airport

Whereas the lobby is rainbow-bright and fun, guest rooms tend to be sultry and sophisticated. Each is a study on a theme related to the arts, reading, writing, or exotic destinations (real or imagined). Decor varies from unit to unit, but they lean heavily toward abstract patterns, textured fabrics, and deep tones like lapis blue, burnt sienna, and eggplant. But even by Paris standards, sleeping quarters at Hotel Apostrophe Rive Gauche are a tight squeeze. And their open floor plans (read: bathtubs and sinks practically abut beds in many units), may not suit privacy-seeking travelers. Toilets are in separate vestibules, and bathrooms are finished with vessel sinks and showers with powerful jets. All rooms face the street -- though they're quiet according to guests -- and have Juliette balconies. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, wall-mounted CD/DVD players, small work surfaces, waffle-comb robes, and air-conditioning. Little candies left in front of pillows are a sweet touch. Freebies like bottled water replaced daily, Wi-Fi, and access to Netflix on personal devises enhances their value, but most rooms lack coffee- or tea-making facilities. Higher-category rooms have electric kettles with instant Nespresso packets, whirlpool tubs with removable showerheads (but no shower doors or curtains), and more lavish bath products.

Hotel Apostrophe Rive Gauche isn't rife with amenities, but it does have common space with a convivial atmosphere and good dining options. An a la carte breakfast for an additional fee is served in the cheerful lobby, with eggs, pastries, and local yogurt on offer, although coffee from the espresso machine isn't free. There's also a small bar on the opposite side of the reception desk. While there's no proper restaurant for lunch and dinner, the room service menu is expansive, with everything from seared duck breast to omelets with frites to steak tartare; breakfast is also delivered in rooms at no extra charge. The hotel has a concierge, an elevator, and free Wi-Fi throughout, but there's no business center, gym, or on-site parking.