Hotel Saint-Jacques

Stepping into the lobby of the Hotel Saint-Jacques is like stepping into a Paris of another era. Faux marble walls, beautiful molded ceilings, trompe-l'oeil murals, and ceiling frescoes are just some of the opulent details that abound in this small and charming hotel where the Audrey Hepburn-Cary Grant movie “Charade" was filmed. The decor harks back to the Belle Epoque, with wooden antique furnishings, chandeliers, and sculpted busts and statues scattered about. Even the room keys are special, attached to large vintage tassels and displayed in a cabinet behind the mahogany front desk. The Toulouse Lautrec lobby bar abutting the front desk area is elegant, adorned by a large painting by the namesake artist. A burgundy-and-cream striped sofa matches the curtains framing the window behind it. A chandelier dangles from a cloudy sky fresco on the ceiling, and a mahogany bookshelf displays tomes alongside antique pieces that include a vintage clock and sculpted bust. The basement breakfast room has yet another huge Toulouse Lautrec painting framed in velvet curtains like a miniature stage flanked by a vintage gramophone and piano.

The hotel’s Latin Quarter location and proximity to several make the Saint-Jacques a popular tourist choice. Though rooms are a bit small, triples are available for families and groups.

The Hotel Saint Jacques is in the fifth arrondissement, in the Latin Quarter, surrounded by restaurants, cafes, and shops. It's two blocks from the Sorbonne and one block from the College de France. There are several sights and museums, such as the Musee de Cluny, within walking distance, including Notre Dame (about a seven-minute walk), the Luxembourg Gardens (a 10-minute walk). The Pantheon is three blocks down the street, and is visible from some of the rooms. The Rue Mouffetard, famous for its market (especially on the lower end), is an 11-minute walk. The hotel is two blocks from the Maubert-Mutualite metro station (Line 10, which cuts east-west across Paris).

Like the lobby and all other interiors of the hotel, rooms also evoke a Paris of another time, with elegant, romantic decor in soft hues that pays tribute to the Belle Epoque -- antique-style furniture, beautiful ceiling moldings, frescoes and paintings adorning the walls, chandeliers, and damask wallpaper and curtains. Many rooms are small and might feel a bit cramped, but larger rooms, such as the Superior or Deluxe Doubles, are available. Many rooms have balconies and Juliet balconies, and some have views of the nearby Pantheon or Notre Dame. Some guests complain of thin walls and street noise, as the Saint-Jacques is situated on the corner of two busy streets. All rooms have flat-screen TVs with satellite channels and free Wi-Fi, though lack mini-fridges and coffee- and tea-making facilities. Bathrooms are modern, though a bit tight, with walk-in showers or shower/tub combos, hairdryers, heated towel racks, and toiletries. Note that some rooms are reachable only by the staircase, while a small elevator stops at the others.

The charming Toulouse Lautrec lobby bar serves various aperitifs and refreshments, including traditionally prepared absinthe. International newspapers are on hand, as well as some old tomes on the antique bookshelf. A breakfast buffet is served in the basement breakfast room for an added charge, and includes pastries, breads, fresh fruit salad, cereals, cheeses, and cold cuts, as well as eggs, hot beverages, and fresh orange juice. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.