Hotel Juliana Paris

Draped with greenery from every window ledge, Hotel Juliana Paris stands out from its neighbors on a quiet street one block from the Seine. Its striking entryway, covered in black mosaic tile, has an Art Deco staircase under a glass starburst chandelier. The black-tiled patterns continue across the main floor above in a dark lobby filled with exotic statues, designer chairs, and gold accents. To the left, a copper-plated reception desk sits in a corner next to the back wall, which is covered in alternating wood panels and windows decorated with lattice screens. A lobby bar around the corner exudes an exclusive atmosphere, with brushed gold chairs around a glass fireplace set in a wall of rectangular stone blocks. In contrast, the airy rooftop terrace has a garden setting, and while the top of the Eiffel Tower can be seen, it's set behind a cluster of unsightly antennae. The hotel tends to draw leisure travelers, most of whom are couples.   

The hotel is located on a quiet street in Paris's 7th Arrondissement, surrounded by residential buildings and business offices. It's a short walk to both the Eiffel Tower (a 12-minute walk) and the banks of the Seine, a block away. The immediate neighborhood is sleepy and residential, but there's a host of shops, restaurants, and sights within easy walking distance. The Rodin Museum and Les Invalides, with its neighboring museums and tombs (including Napoleon Bonaparte's), are about a 20-minute walk away. Across the Seine, the Champs Elysées can also be reached on foot in just under 20 minutes. Other attractions like the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, and Notre Dame Cathedral are easy to get to via public transportation -- and the Pont de l'Alma RER (Line C) and Alma-Marceau metro stops are a four- to seven-minute walk from the hotel. Depending on traffic, expect more than a 30-minute drive to Orly airport, and just over a 40-minute drive to Charles de Gaulle Airport.

The 40 guest rooms of Hotel Juliana Paris have upscale decor with dark carpeting, and a mostly gray color palette accented with blue, gold, and burnt orange. Walls range from a powdery gray to slate, livened up by elegant, ornate wallpaper behind the beds. The Comfort Rooms are the smallest, but a decent size for Paris at 215 square feet, and they have queen or twin beds, along with desks. The rest of the standard rooms are 258 to 290 square feet, and have either king or twin beds with bench seats at the foot, and seating areas with round armchairs. Malongo espresso machines come standard, as do electric kettles, minibars, large flat-screen TVs, safes, roboes, and iPod docks. Free Wi-Fi is included. Suites add larger living areas with chic, white-tufted armchairs, and there are also some two-bedroom Family Suites. The bathrooms are covered in Italian mosaic tiles, with large walk-in rainfall showers, twin vanities, heated towel racks, and Japanese toilets (with built-in bidet functions). All but the Comfort Rooms also have separate soaking tubs with handheld showerheads. Most units face either the street or have views over the interior courtyard, while the two-bedroom Juliana Suite spans the width of the building and features views of both, with a separate living room that has sleek couch.   

Aperitifs and cocktails are served in the lobby's stylish Juliana bar, which has a lounge area around a fireplace. The rooftop bar is a simple counter on a pretty but narrow garden terrace that's open seasonally. The rest of the facilities are in the basement. There's no restaurant here, but the basement houses a breakfast room (continental breakfast not included) that has upscale decor, but lacks windows and natural light. The full-service spa has locker rooms with showers, a sauna, and a beautiful steam room decorated with black-and-white mosaic tiles accented in gold light. There's also a small but modern fitness center with free weights and Technogym equipment. Wi-Fi is free throughout.