Hôtel California

The Hotel California opened in 1923 across from the Herald Tribune, becoming a haven for American journalists and celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Ernest Hemingway, and Orson Welles. The six-floor hotel features a red awning over the large entrance and arched windows on the ground floor that look into the lobby with marble floors, warm-toned wooden wall panels, long luxurious drapes, and chandeliers. Three thousand paintings and lithographs are on display throughout the hotel, including the clean hallways, with neutral furnishings and background music. There are two modern elevators. However, the hotel's heyday is behind it and some furnishings feel outdated.

The Hotel California offers a mosaic-tiled courtyard, with stylish dark rattan furniture, umbrellas, and a charming fountain. The Cadre d'Or restaurant serves American breakfasts in a bright and stylish setting with artistic ceiling lights, contemporary silver and yellow chairs, and booth seating. The restaurant’s glass conservatory -- with an illuminated wine cellar -- wraps around the courtyard, with sleek stools and bar tables. The bar features a flat-screen TV, grand piano, red and white striped drapes, tufted chairs, and a lounge with oil paintings and red classic chairs. Overall the atmosphere is warm and inviting. 

Located in the Eighth Arrondissement of Paris, this hotel is in walking distance to the Champs-Elysees (with high-end shopping on the nearby Avenue Montaigne), the Arc de Triomphe, the Grand Palais, and two metro stations -- the George V and Charles de Gaulle - Etoile. The Eiffel Tower is 30 minutes away by metro. It’s a 20-minute metro ride to the Louvre. La Defense, the business district, is a 30-minute ride on public transportation. The Palace of Versailles is a 40-minute car trip. It’s 40 minutes by car to the Paris Orly Airport or the Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Rooms have classic furnishings with light or dark wood furniture, wall-to-wall carpeting, and color palettes in purple, gray, or green. Rooms categories include Classic Rooms (a decent size for Paris, at 20 square meters or 215 square feet), Family Rooms (sleeping four), and massive Prestige Suites. Amenities across the board include Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, minibars, safes, kettles, and writing desks. Some rooms show slight wear, such as scuffed furniture. Sleek tiled bathrooms have hairdryers, heated towel racks, bidets (in some), and showers or shower/tub combos. Higher-tier rooms have iPod docks, bathrobes, and slippers. Windows or balconies overlook the courtyard or Berri Street. Suites have sitting areas, dining rooms, and Nespresso machines. Certain rooms allow rollaway beds and cribs.

The Hotel California is a business-oriented hotel with seven on-site meeting rooms named after cities in California: San Francisco (I and II), San Diego, Santa Monica, and Pasadena (I, II and III). Rooms can fit between 10 to 120 people. Modern audiovisual equipment and free Wi-Fi are offered. There’s also an Internet corner with a printer and two PC computers. The on-site gym is furnished with parquet flooring and is arranged over two levels, offering cardio equipment, free weights, a water cooler, a few lockers, two flat-screen TVs, and a bathroom with a shower and towels. 

There is a lovely mosaic-tiled courtyard with a fountain and stylish tables and chairs. Breakfast is served in the bright Cadre d'Or, which has a glass conservatory overlooking the courtyard. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, but if you want upgraded speed, that will cost a fee.