Hotel des Saints-Peres - Esprit de France

Built in 1658 by Daniel Gittard, the head architect of Louis XIV, the restrained elegance of the hotel's stone facade sets the refined tone of this former private mansion. Stepping inside, guests will find a small understated lobby that leads to the hotel's inner courtyard -- a secluded spot where the peace is broken only by the chiming bells of the nearby of Saint-Germain-des-Pres and Saint Sulpice churches. The property became a hotel at the end of World War I, and was purchased by the upscale Espirit de France chain in the 1980s, when renovation work uncovered a magnificent 17th-century fresco that has since been attributed to the Versailles School. Art is still an important influence at the hotel, and numerous oil paintings and antique works adorn the walls throughout. The hotel has also attracted a roll call of artists throughout the centuries, including painters Francis Bacon and George Dubuffet, singer Juliette Greco, and, more recently, fashion designer Tom Ford.

This hotel is tucked away down a narrow street in the heart of picturesque Saint-Germain-des-Pres, at the point where the sixth arrondissement meets the seventh. The area is renowned for its numerous fine restaurants, bookstores, famous cafes, and boutiques.The Jardin du Luxembourg is within a 15-minute walk south of the hotel, and the Louvre is a 15-minute walk across the Seine in the opposite direction. Saint-Germain-des-Pres metro station (Line 1, which crosses Paris north-south) is the closest, at about a four-minute walk, while Mabillon (Line 4) is a six-minute walk away. The Eiffel Tower is about a 10-minute cab ride away, while the Arc de Triomphe is a seven-minute ride from there. Orly Airport is about a 30-minute drive from the hotel, while Charles de Gaulle Airport takes about 45 minutes by car. 

Most of the Hotel des Saints-Peres' 38 rooms are decorated in a blend of muted, contemporary decor, with traditional touches and original artworks. Higher-priced rooms tend to include antique furnishings and overlook the peaceful inner courtyard. La Chambre a la Fresque (Fresco Room) features a gorgeous 17th-century ceiling painting, parquet flooring, and an in-room claw-foot tub. Some rooms also feature original exposed beams, though ceilings tend to be low. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and welcome trays with posh tea and chocolate, as well as bathrobes and designer toiletries. Typical for Paris, rooms can be on the small side, and internal soundproofing could be better in some.

As is common with historic, boutique properties, there's little in the way of facilities. A buffet breakfast (for a fee) is served in the hotel's elegant dining room or in the peaceful inner courtyard during warmer weather. There's also a small, cozy bar and lounge, with plenty of seating, though there are no spa or fitness facilities on-site. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.