Hotel Edouard 7

From the street, the four-pearl Hotel Edouard 7 retains the Belle Epoque look you'd expect from the former home of Edward VII. A row of prim topiaries lines the walkway to an imposing, wooden door under a limestone medallion adorned with a crest. There is a smart terrace to one side with a deep purple awning and matching table tops with tightly woven, black chairs. Inside the lobby shifts to a contemporary look, with modern sculptural chandeliers dangling above a curved wood reception desk. Bold decor in the lobby includes mod wingback chairs in fuchsia, striped tub chairs, black-and-white floors, and plaid carpeted hallways. This loud, contemporary style is offset by classical oil paintings and traditional busts. A small salon off the lobby sports a darker palette with clusters of velvet chairs around an oversized coffee table, but two light fixtures in purple fringe keep it far from somber. Another stylish spot is the spacious, sunny restaurant with a big skylight, windows to the street, and polished, light-wood floors. In contrast, the bar is decked out with deep blue hues, tiny orb pendant lights, and a back-lit bar. The hotel draws a vibrant, international crowd, especially travelers that are interested in fashion and design.  

The Hotel Edouard 7 has an excellent central location near many top attractions in Paris, allowing guests to walk to several popular sights. The Opera Garnier, home to Paris' ballet company, is a five-minute walk away, and the Louvre museum is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. The Galeries Lafayette, Paris' well-known department store, is also a 10-minute walk away. And Place Vendome, famous for high-end jewelry shops, is a six-minute walk away. For sights farther afield, the Opera Metro stop is a four-minute walk away. The Eiffel Tower is a nine-minute drive or a 23-minute metro ride. And Sacre-Cœur Basilica is 30 minutes away by metro. Charles de Gaulle Airport is a 32-minute drive without traffic. 

Each of Hotel Edouard's seven floors takes a different jewel as its theme. Emeraud (aka emerald) Rooms have black, curved headboards, pale grey black out drapes, and white sheers on floor-to-ceiling windows. Walls are covered in a quilted, pearl-white fabric giving a neutral backdrop for the signature green color, found in throws, pillows, slipper chairs, and glass doors. Other floors (Citrine or Ruby) sport similar designs swapping out the jewel-toned accent color. Walls have beautiful molding and some stenciled designs like looping cursive handwriting. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, minibars, and a curtained closet with a small safe. Newspapers and Wi-Fi are both free. Bathrooms are much more subdued and monochrome with white marble paired with modern fixtures and chrome fittings. Higher-category rooms have both tubs and shower stalls. Magnifying mirrors, towel warmers, hairdryers, individual toiletries, and terry robes and slippers come standard.

The Hotel Edouard has a large bar and a separate, full-service restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It also has 24-hour room service. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and there are free newspapers in the lobby. Dogs are welcome at the hotel but there are several restrictions. The hotel has a computer station and two conference rooms with audio-visual equipment, and (upon request and for a fee) a cappuccino and espresso machine. The hotel offers laundry and dry cleaning services for a fee as well as a limo and town car. The front desk is staffed 24-hours, and there is concierge service. Children 12 and younger can stay free with an adult but there is no extra bed. Babysitting is offered for a fee. On some evenings, the hotel provides live jazz music.