Hotel Atmospheres

Hotel Atmospheres blends in beautifully on its street of classical Parisian buildings. Inside, the look breaks from tradition, with contemporary lounge chairs, walls and ceilings boldly painted in shades of black and red, and a wide, modern staircase spiraling down to the lower lever. Large color photographs by French photographer Thierry des Ouches depict Paris street scenes and monuments -- the underbelly of the Eiffel Tower, the gold dome of Les Invalides, the bas-relief column in Place Vendome. Ouches' pieces are found throughout the hotel, from the gallery-like display floating above the lobby stairs to the fitness center to individual works in every guest room. Rooms commemorate the city in other ways, too: through their color schemes (gold to represent the palaces of Paris, black and crimson to convey sexy Paris nights), their bathroom tiling (some rooms have the space invaders design seen on street corners all over the city), and of course, in some, their architectural details, like the wood-beam ceilings and Juliet balconies. The artsy vibe and relatively quiet location near the Sorbonne and other universities attract sightseeing couples, parents visiting children studying nearby, and families traveling with adult children.

Hotel Atmospheres is located in Paris' Latin Quarter, a neighborhood is full of bistros, bookshops, movie theaters, and students (The Sorbonne is a five-minute walk from the hotel, and many other universities are nearby). The Pantheon, Notre Dame, the Luxembourg Garden, and the National Museum of Natural History are all within easy walking distance. The Maubert - Mutualit metro station (line 10) is a three-minute walk from the hotel, and the RER Luxembourg (the suburban line that heads to Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport) is 10 minutes away on foot. Getting to Charles de Gaulle by car takes about an hour, and getting to Orly Airport by car takes about 40 minutes.

Accommodations at the Hotel Atmospheres include 48 rooms and eight suites. Decoration varies; some rooms have a "Monuments of Paris" theme, while others are adorned in gold and beiges to bring to mind the palaces of Paris. "By Night" rooms have sultry decor that includes crimson padded headboards, deep burgundy throw pillows and drapes, and red-and-purple leopard-print carpeting.Rooms are available for one to three people and feature minibars, free Pages tea and Nescafe instant coffee, and two free bottles of water on the first day. Safes, slippers, and shoe mitts are all provided. Renovated bathrooms are a highlight; some are quite tight but ergonomically designed, with walk-in rainfall showers and modern sinks with dedicated space for a dopp kit. Bright Hollywood-style vanity lights around the mirror provide plenty of great light, and the walls are covered in glossy red or black-and-white tiles inspired by the Paris metro. Boutique toiletries, such as those by Fragonard, are provided -- shower gel, shampoo/conditioner, and lotion, plus shower caps, cotton pads, nail files, and Q-tips. Beds have reading lights, as well as bedside lamps hanging from the ceiling. Rooms have double-glazed windows and some rooms have small (unfurnished) balconies overlooking the Rue des Ecoles, while some others have courtyard terraces. Duplex rooms with sofabeds and espresso makers are available.Wi-Fi is free in the rooms.

For a fee, guests can add breakfast to their room rates. Served buffet-style in the hotel's stone cellar, breakfast includes scrambled eggs, bacon, pastries, yogurt, and cheese. An honesty bar with liquors and wine is set up in the lobby lounge, where, in the afternoons, the hotel sets out free coffee, tea, and cakes. There is a library area behind the lobby with a computer and printer that guests are free to use.Atmospheres' fitness area is neatly designed, with a bright red-orange wall and floors with a sharp black-and-white wood-grain design. An elliptical, treadmill, and bike are pointed toward a wall with mirrors and a flat-screen TV, and there are exercise balls and free weights. There is a separate room with a hydro-massage bed that guests are free to use for a 20-minute massage, plus a modern cedar-wood sauna. The sauna is free, but it isn't left on all the time; guests must give the front desk at least 30 minutes notice.Laundry service is available for a fee. Note that guests here must leave their keys with reception (staffed 24 hours a day) on their way out and pick them back up upon return. Many hotels in Paris practice this. Hotel Atmospheres is nonsmoking and Wi-Fi is free throughout.