Saint Dominique Hotel

With a stencil outline of the Eiffel Tower on its frosted glass entrance doors, the Saint Dominique proudly displays its major drawing card. Many guests say this quiet boutique hotel reminds them of a bed-and-breakfast, albeit a stylish one, and the small lobby reinforces this ambience. A long block of black-wood under pendant lights serves as the registration desk, and two black-leather chairs encourage guests to sit and discuss their stay with the friendly staff. A chalkboard conveniently posts the day’s weather, and umbrellas are on hand in case of rain. The gray-toned terra-cotta tile floor throughout the public areas is both stylish and playful. The breakfast room, which doubles as a bar, lounge, and cafe, is an intimate space with splashes of pink and yellow amid the shades of gray, and banks of mirrors. Its doors and windows look out onto the busy street and the inner courtyard, where guests can take their drinks and food. The hotel draws mainly couples and business travelers, but families and those traveling solo find their way here too.

The Saint Dominique Hotel is located in a former 17th-century convent on busy Rue Saint Dominique in the elegantly sedate 7th Arrondissement, about a 15-minute walk to the Eiffel Tower. It’s surrounded by cafes, bars, and shops, including a popular Irish pub that’s directly across the street. A bakery and pharmacy are also on the same block. The closest metro station is about a five-minute walk away.- Five-minute walk to La Tour-Maubourg Metro station

• Seven-minute walk to Les Invalides and the Rue Cler market street 
• 13-minute walk across the Seine to the Grand Palais
• 15-minute walk to Eiffel Tower and Champ-de-Mars
• Five minutes to the Musee Rodin by public transportation
• 12 minutes to Musee d’Orsay by public transportation (18-minute walk)
• 20 minutes to L’Arc de Triomphe by public transportation
• 19 minutes to Louvre by public transportation
• 22 minutes to Notre Dame Cathedral by public transportation
• 25 minutes to Gare Du Nord (Eurostar train station) by public transportation
• 45 minutes to Orly Airport by public transportation (36-minute drive)
• 60 minutes to Charles de Gaulle International Airport by public transportation (59-minute drive)

Saint Dominique's 32 rooms were renovated in 2013, and while they're coolly stylish with pops of neon colors, they're not in-your-face opulent. Walls are beige and carpets are gray, with light-pink or bright-yellow accents throughout. Drapes are solid gray, and headboards are dark wood. Desks are of a lighter wood, and they have cream tops and Eames-style black chairs. Armoires, the most distinctive aspect of the rooms, have mirror panels and neon-colored interiors. Rooms come in four categories -- Comfort, Superior, Deluxe, and Junior Suites, which differ from one another in size. All include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, safes, minibars with free soda, juice, and water, and Nespresso machines. Wi-Fi is free, and mini iPads are available on request. Comfort Rooms can be small, with equally small windows, but the Deluxe, Superior, and Junior Suites have sitting areas, and Junior Suites have sofa beds. Beds are either king or queen size, and guests say they're comfortable. Bathrooms are large, with gray-tile walls and Azzaro-design fittings -- they include heated towel racks and white-marble vanities with raised marble sinks, and clear glass-enclosed walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads. Robes, slippers, and toiletries are provided. Most rooms face the courtyard, and are quiet, although some have views of the Eiffel Tower.

The stylish Saint Dominique stands out for its personal touches. It offers guests mini iPads to use throughout their stay at no extra charge, and it serves a daily full breakfast (for a fee) in a small room that doubles as the hotel bar and cafe. Guests can sit with their drinks at the tables in the lovely inner courtyard. Airport transportation and valet dry cleaning are among the concierge services available. Public parking is available nearby, but it’s limited and, as in most big cities, expensive. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.