Hotel Central Saint Germain

There is an old school appeal to this small hotel, which is housed in a classic five-floor building with plants and flowers on every windowsill. First impressions here are great, and the hotel's lobby is a contemporary exercise in classic looks. There's a bit of mid-century flair created by tan wainscoted walls, bold damask carpets, elegant cream furniture, and a nice amount of natural light. A small fireplace completes the cozy, up-market look. Ultimately, though, this hotel is more about providing shelter for the night than being a place for guests to hang out, and there aren't many facilities beyond a breakfast room. The majority of guests here are couples and solo travelers, given the compact nature of the hotel rooms, though some families pass through as well. 

Situated in the 5th Arrondissement, on a small street leading to Boulevard Saint Michel, the hotel is almost next door to the famed Sorbonne. The hotel's Latin Quarter home has several cinemas that play old films, as well as a staggering abundance of narrow lanes, cafes, bars, and restaurants. For those looking to shop, the hyper-trendy Saint Germain neighborhood is a 10-minute walk west from the hotel, while Notre Dame Cathedral is only a 10-minute walk north. Jardins de Luxembourg are also nearby, less than 15 minutes from the hotel on foot. The Cluny-Sorbonne Metro station is under a five-minute walk from the hotel, providing easy access to farther-flung destinations. It's about 15 minutes to the Musee d'Orsay, 20 minutes to the Louvre, and 35 minutes to the Eiffel Tower by metro or RER trains. Expect a 30-minute drive to Charles de Gaulle airport, which takes about 45 minutes to an hour to reach by train. Orly Airport is also about an hour away by public transport.

Given the contemporary and bright style of the hotel's lobby, the rooms here are a bit of a let down, though the mostly off-modern look is pleasant enough for a few nights. Rooms are decorated in darker tones like burgundy and purple, and patterns are employed to a degree that will appear busy to certain travelers' eyes. Furniture is just slightly dated, and comes in light wood veneer finishes, while patterned wallpaper accent walls could look nice, but create a busy look when paired with the outdated bedspreads and patterned carpets. Still, in the two-and-a-half-pearl category, you could do far worse in terms of style and the rooms are well kept and clean. Guests should be prepared for Parisian small floor plans, and some Single Rooms only come in at a compact eight square meters of space (86 square meters). All rooms offer air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, safes, free Wi-Fi, and electric kettles. Bathrooms are also compact, but sparkling clean, with white tiles walls and floors. Each has a bit of counter space around sinks and walk-in showers plus toiletries and hairdryers.

As a value hotel in central Paris, there aren't a whole lot of features to speak about at this hotel. A continental breakfast buffet with that includes coffee, tea, juice, pastries, and yogurt is served in the cozy and bright breakfast room every day. It's not included in room rates. There is free Wi-Fi access in rooms and throughout the property and the hotel has an elevator serving all floors.