Relais Christine

Occupying a 16th-century mansion that was built atop a 13th-century monastery, the chic Relais Christine is a charming hideaway in Saint-Germain-des-Pres. Even before guests enter the property, a picturesque garden courtyard steals the show -- complete with cobblestones and rife with greenery, flower boxes dripping from balconied windows, and wrought-iron details wrapped in vines. Once inside, the refinement continues with elegant spaces. Expect: lush textiles, lashings of marble, and plush furnishings like velvet sofas and damask armchairs paired with elegant details like wainscoting, gilded mirrors, and wooden herringbone floors. The breakfast room, spa, and fitness facilities take on a different look entirely. They're situated in atmospheric spaces with vaulted ceilings and ancient stone walls that hark back to the property's 13th-century origins. Overall, the 48-room hotel offers a charming and intimate boutique experience that attracts an accordingly well-heeled clientele. 

Relais Christine is located on the Left Bank in Saint-Germain-des-Pres. Situated on a quiet street, the eponymous Rue Christine, it's a lovely, tranquil location, and a convenient one, too. There are lots of dining options nearby as well as boutiques, art galleries, and movie theaters (including a small cinema right across the street). The Seine is two blocks away. The Notre Dame Cathedral can be reached in 10 minutes on foot. Several other top attractions are within walking distance, including the Louvre Museum (10-minute walk), Sainte-Chapelle (eight-minute walk), and the Luxembourg gardens (16-minute walk). There are two metro stations within a five-minute walk of the hotel (Odeon and Saint-Michel - Notre-Dame). Several others are within an eight-minute walk (Mabillon, Saint-Germain-des-Pres, and Cluny - La Sorbonne). The Eiffel Tower can be reached in 23 minutes via public transportation, while the Sacre-Cœur is around a half-hour away. Orly Airport is about a half-hour drive or around 45 minutes via public transportation. Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG) can be reached in 35 to 70 minutes (depending on traffic) by car or 40 minutes by public transit.

The hotel's common spaces are a taste of what's to come in the guest rooms, which are individually decorated in an elegant and decadent style. The plush, bright spaces feature details like tasteful patterned wallpaper, chandeliers, floor-length drapes framing windows, and fine antique pieces like writing desks. Windows overlook either the street, courtyard, or garden, plus some rooms have private balconies or terraces. Rooms range in size from 205-square-foot (19-square-meter) Cosy Rooms to 430- to 689-square-foot (40- to 64-square-meter) suites. Note that some suites are bi-level, with bedrooms on an upper loft and bathrooms downstairs. Suites have separate living rooms and two bathrooms, and one also has a kitchenette.Standard amenities in all rooms include flat-screen TVs, Nespresso machines, Marshall Bluetooth speakers, minibars, electronic safes, and free Wi-Fi. Luxe black-and-white Carrara marble bathrooms feature stylish white subway tiling and gilded fixtures. Many bathrooms have both soaking tubs and separate walk-in showers. Plush bathrobes and slippers are supplied, as are high-end individual toiletries.

One of the hotel's highlights is the atmospheric spa and fitness facilities situated in the hotel's cellars which feature vaulted ceilings. The Spa Guerlain utilizes Guerlain products for its treatments, which include massages, facials, and more, plus it has a whirlpool and sauna. The fitness center is equipped with a good selection of modern cardio machines.Though there's no full restaurant, a buffet breakfast is available for a fee and served in a charming room with vaulted ceilings. The meal is a nice spread of tasty fare like fresh pastries, fruit, ham and cheese, as well as eggs cooked to order. The hotel also offers a snack menu, tea time, and cocktail hour at the honor bar. The chic lounges are a pleasure to pass time in, complete with fireplaces, plush seating, and reading material dotted about here and there such as art books and daily newspapers. There's also the lovely courtyard to relax in, which offers some seating amid lush greenery. A number of freebies offered by the hotel include Wi-Fi, valet parking, and bikes to borrow. There's also an electric car charging station on-site. A convertible Fiat 500 S can be rented for a fee.