Hotel Champs-Elysees Friedland

Housed in an elegant limestone building with wrought-iron balconies, the Hotel Champs-Elysees Friedland by HappyCulture shares real estate with a classic Parisian pharmacy. Lighting in its lobby is a bit harsh, and the warm wood of the reception desk shows some nicks and scars, but an L-shaped sofa in purple velvet adds a dash of stylishness. Rooms are reached via an elevator or curving staircase accented in wrought iron. Corridors feature a red floral carpet and rich, cherry wood doors. The breakfast room feels a touch posh, with walls and woodwork in pale gray, cream and dark wood tables and chairs, and a single tiered chandelier. With it's central location near shopping and major landmarks, the hotel attracts vacationing couples and families. But business travelers also appreciate the hotel's charms.

The hotel's street, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore, is home to some of the world's oldest and most refined French brands, such as Goyard and Hermes. (Maison Goyard is a six-minute walk from the hotel, and Hermes is 19 minutes on foot.) The closest metro stops are the George V (a seven-minute walk) or Etoile (a 12-minute walk). From the hotel, the Avenue des Champs Elysees is a seven-minute walk as is the Parc Monceau, and the Arc de Triomphe is a 12-minute walk away. An exquisite house museum, the Musee Jacquemart-Andre is a five-minute walk from the hotel. The Elysee Palace is 15 minutes away on foot. The Louvre is a 13-minute drive or 20-minute metro ride away. The Eiffel Tower is 10 minutes by car and 29 minutes by train or on foot. The Charles de Gaulle Airport is a 30-minute drive away, if traffic is light.

Guest rooms at the Champs-Elysees Friedland by HappyCulture  are decorated with tasteful restraint -- a smart move that adds breathing room to sometimes snug spaces. Standard, Superior, and Triple Deluxe Rooms are decorated in tones of beige and cream accented with marigold or royal purple textiles. Traditional caned headboards, cabriole-leg desks, and doors with molding set the tone. The overall effect is regal but welcoming. Electric kettles with coffee and tea, minibars, safes, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs come standard in all rooms. Irons and children's cribs can be requested. White-tile bathrooms have sizable countertops, hairdryers, toiletries, and shower/tub combinations with a glass partition instead of a curtain. Some rooms include balconies, which overlook the Parisian street scene.

Served in an elegant breakfast room, the breakfast buffet is notably good, and there is a quicker, “express breakfast” for those in a hurry. Both are an additional fee. There's no on-site restaurant, but room service is available 24 hours. The hotel offers transportation to and from the airport for a fee, and car rentals can be booked through the front desk. Wi-Fi is free, but there's no business center, though the lobby has a computer workstation, where guests will also find a selection of newspapers. And the lack of a gym may be a deal-breaker for fitness fanatics, but it's fairly typical for a boutique property in Paris. On the upside, this hotel is one hundred percent smoke free, a bit surprising in a city of smokers.