Pavillon Nation

The lobby of the Pavillon Nation looks a little bit like a nightclub lounge. There are shimmering glass light fixtures and disco-ball-style window coverings, along with two low-profile sofas in a wild, mustard, and brown animal print toward the back of the room. The space isn’t very big, and a large support beam in the middle of the lounge cuts the seating area in half. Once guests venture into the rest of the hotel, red is the accent color du jour -- it’s everywhere from the sunny breakfast room, to the meeting room, to the guest room doors. Mid-century modern influences are reflected in the furniture throughout the hotel, giving it a '60s mod feeling, which is a somewhat odd juxtaposition to the 1920s-era brick building in which the property resides. Most guests who stay here are couples, along with significantly fewer business travelers and a few families, and the style has a certain youthful edge. 

Pavillon Nation is in a quiet neighborhood away from the bustling city center of Paris. The surrounding area is a mix of historic buildings and parks dotted with works of art. Place de la Nation is a beautiful green space adorned with statues by Dalou, and it’s a five-minute walk from the hotel. The Nation metro stop is on the other side of the park, with access to the high speed RER. A 10-minute drive across the Seine brings guests to Jardin des Plantes, a botanical garden with restored 19th-century hothouses. The Louvre is about 16 minutes by car or 25 minutes by metro. The Eiffel Tower is about 22 minutes by car or 50 minutes by metro. And Charles de Gaulle Airport is about 27 minutes away by car.

Overall, the rooms are cute and modern with bright red accent walls, flock-patterned wall panels and headboards, and desk chairs -- all an extension of the 1960s-style look found in the public spaces. All rooms have air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, stocked minibars, sleek flat-screen TVs in wooden wall-mounted frames, safes, and plush bedding; some have balconies. The Executive Suite is misleading in its name; while it's a larger room than the Standard option, there’s no separate living and bedroom area. The beds are described as “high and firm,” which could be a good thing depending on taste. There’s also a small, white laminate desk in each room. The bathrooms make good use of limited space, and have shower/tub combos or walk-in showers, and distinct, red-and-white patterned basin sinks resembling peppermint bark. Some furnishings and bathrooms are showing signs of wear and tear, however. 

Two major things set Pavillon Nation apart from similar hotels in its class -- the fitness center and the meeting rooms. The fitness center is a fair size and has cardio equipment, a resistance machine, and a bench with free weights. There are two meeting rooms with space for up to 30 and 40 people; the one we saw is a simple space with an overhead projector, and stackable chairs in bright red, yellow, and orange. There is an additional fee for breakfast, but guests can choose to have it delivered to their room or enjoy the buffet in the striking, light-filled breakfast room -- a renovated 1930s workshop with an atrium-style ceiling decorated with bird designs, along with a whitewashed brick wall.