Hotel Mistral

The Hotel Mistral is situated in a six-story townhouse with a cream-colored facade and wrought-iron Juliet balconies. Despite its trendy, contemporary interiors, this hotel has a rich history -- it played host to Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre in the late 1930s. That faint literary air still lingers thanks to a lounge finished with inset shelves filled with books, in addition to black-and-white photos of the literary couple in public spaces. The other trend here is botanical, with beautiful floral wallpaper in the lobby and a bright breakfast room that opens onto an attractive plant-filled courtyard. The florals are a nod to the hotel's location on Rue Cels, a horticultural hotspot in the early 1800s. Throwbacks aside, this spot is decidedly modern, thanks in part to major refurbishments that took place around 2014. Clean lines, wood floors, and a contemporary mix of molded and upholstered chairs are key pieces of its look. Style-wise, this property feels a little higher-end and fresher than some of the older mid-range options, plus there's an elevator, a boon for a small Parisian hotel. However, rooms are still small here, and amenities are basic.

Hotel Mistral is situated on a fairly quiet street off a main avenue in the 14th Arrondissement. While it's beyond the tourist center of Paris, it's still in walking distance to restaurants and theaters, many of which are located on the famous Rue de La Gaité, just a three-minute walk from the hotel. Guests can also walk to the Montparnasse Cemetery (four-minute walk), Montparnasse Tower (eight-minute walk), the Catacombs (10-minute walk), and Luxembourg Gardens (20-minute walk). The nearest metro station, Gaîté, is a two-minute walk, while the Gare Montparnasse transport hub is a six-minute walk. Major sights like the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre are reachable in about 25 to 30 minutes via public transit. Charles de Gaulle Airport can be reached in about an hour and 15 minutes via public transport and Orly Airport in about 45 minutes. 

Like many mid-range Paris hotels, rooms here are simple and compact, but they're also contemporary, clean, and comfortable. Houndstooth wall-to-wall carpeting meets white walls and furniture, while flair is added with fabric accents in colors like purple, pink, or brown. Modern bathrooms are small but stylish, a step above the dated fare found in some mid-range properties. They feature square sinks, white-tiled walls, and wet-room or walk-in showers, some with rainfall showerheads. 

Rooms, which range from Singles to four-person Family Rooms, are air-conditioned and include small desks and partially open wardrobes with electronic safes. Rooms also include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges (each is stocked with a free bottle of water), and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms have high-end details like individual toiletries and towel warmers, in addition to hairdryers. 

Like many mid-range hotels in Paris, the Mistral property has limited extra features: There's no full-service restaurant, bar, or fitness amenities. The lobby does offer some nice lounge spots surrounded by shelves full of magazines, a few games, and Paris guidebooks, plus there's a table with a computer for guest use. A modern breakfast area, with wood floors and floor-to-ceiling windows on one side, opens onto a charming patio courtyard filled with plants and several tables so guests can eat outside in good weather. Breakfast includes standard buffet options plus cooked-to-order extras. While it's not free, most guests find the price reasonable. Another small perk: guests are also welcome to use the microwave in the breakfast room throughout the day. The front desk is open 24 hours and staff can provide luggage storage. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.