Hotel le Notre Dame

There's no ground floor to the Hotel Le Notre Dame, which sits in a listed 400-year-old corner building above a brasserie. A narrow entryway opens into a stairwell, and the second-floor lobby (not accessible by elevator) can present a small obstacle for guests who don't want to (or can't) lug their bags up the stairs. (There is a tiny elevator to the rooms, however.) Once there, the colorful lobby designed by Christian LaCroix is a surprise, mingling funky colors, ornate fabrics, and medieval-inspired wall murals and eccentric prints. A tiny reception desk stands just in the doorway, with a lounge that wraps around the corner into a breakfast room with a mirrored bar. 

This hotel's location offers a perfect mix of proximity to tourist sights and local flavor. It's right across the Seine from Notre Dame Cathedral, and within walking distance of other major attractions like the Sorbonne and Luxembourg Gardens. Because it's on the edge of the Left Bank, right in the heart of the Latin Quarter, it's also a good spot for exploring historic streets lined with small boutiques, booksellers, theaters, and countless restaurants and bars. The area is bustling with an exciting mix of vendors, tourists, and traffic. For public transport, the Mauber-Mutualite or Saint-Michel Metro stations are nearby, helping to make it easy to travel throughout Paris. It takes around 40 minutes to reach Charles de Gaulle Airport by taxi or a direct train journey. Expect an hour to reach Orly Airport by train. 

The hotel has 26 rooms designed by Christian LaCroix, each adorned in funky patterns and fabrics. The colorful wall-sized murals are a primary feature, and most seem to be done in a collage style that incorporates a famous medieval or Renaissance painting (such as this one that highlights the Arnolfini Portrait). Some rooms have original architectural details like white-painted wooden beam ceilings or exposed stone walls. Rooms on the upper floors have great views of the Seine and Notre Dame, while those at back of the building are quieter, but face a dim interior courtyard. Most have double beds, though some have two twins, along with small desks and stools, and bedside tables with reading lamps. Free Wi-Fi comes standard as do iPod docks and wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, but there are no coffeemakers or mini-fridges. The tiled bathrooms are cramped, with either shower/tub combos or walk-in showers.

This hotel is slim on amenities, with no full restaurant or bar, but it does have a small colorful breakfast lounge overlooking the Seine and Notre Dame. The traditional French breakfast (not included in rates) consists of organic plain and chocolate croissants, bread and jam, and coffee and juice. Guests can opt for in-room breakfasts at no extra charge.