Hotel Westminster

High-profile jewelers such as Cartier, Boucheron, Mauboussin, Chaumet, and Van Cleef & Arples surround the entrance to the Hotel Westminster. Once inside, a sparkling crystal chandelier hangs from a white coffered-ceiling over gleaming marble floors and intimate seating areas. The stately wood reception desk with marble counters is staffed 24/7. After a night a night at the opera or a day of sightseeing, guests can retire to Duke's Bar for artisan cocktails, light bites, and live jazz. Le Celadon, the hotel's Michelin one-star restaurent, serves classic French cuisine with a few innovative twists in a formal and romantic atmosphere.

This location is convenient for both tourists and corporate travelers. The Westminster is less than a five-minute walk to the Opera House and, in the opposite direction, the Place Vendome. The Tuileries Garens are within a 10-minute walk, and the Place de la Concorde and the Louvre are 15 minutes away on foot. Cabs are plentiful. Many luxury shops and jewelers surround the hotel, and there are several restaurants nearby. Both Orly and Charles de Gaulle Airports are within a 30-minute drive, but it's wise to allow more time, especially at rush hour.

Each of the 80 air-conditioned guest rooms and 22 suites is individually decorated and draws from different periods of French history -- Louis XV and Louis XVI to Napoleon III to the Regency period. Rooms have high ceilings, and the tall windows are draped generously. Marble fireplaces (in the higher-end suites) are accented with vintage clocks, and writing desks and two chairs add comfort. Views are either of the quiet, historical inner courtyard or the Rue de la Paix. Bathrooms are modern and welcoming, with robes, slippers, marble floors, and showers; some have double sinks. All rooms have flatscreen TVs, free Wi-Fi, twice-daily housekeeping, and turndown service.

The hotel is home to Duke's Bar, a popular destination for handcrafted cocktails, light bites, and live music. The name pays homage to the Duke of Westminster, who lived here in the 19th century. The vibe is like that of an exclusive English men's club, with dark-green fabric walls, books aligned in carved wood cases, leather club chairs, and an immense white stone fireplace. Food comes from the kitchen of Le Celadon, the on-site Michelin-starred formal dining room. On the top floor, a full service spa, with steam room and sauna, offers an array of treatments, and the small fitness center showcases a panoramic view of the splendid rooftops of Paris. Other services include 24-hour room service, a business center, and free Wi-Fi.