Maison Rouge Hôtel

The Maison Rouge hotel is housed in two six-story wings of a 19th-century building right in the center of Strasbourg. The public spaces have an Old World feel that, while well-kept, can't help but look dated. Some of the stairwells have stained-glass windows. Each floor has a richly colored guest lounge with sofas and upholstered chairs. The cocktail lounge, with dark-wood paneling, ornate wood furniture, a gilt-framed mirror, and marble floor, feels a bit more contemporary, and is a refined spot for guests to gather. Located within walking distance of the major sights and public transportation, the hotel draws travelers from across the spectrum -- those on vacation, including couples and families, and business guests, too.

Maison Rouge is in the heart of Strasbourg, with restaurants, cafes, bars, and high-end shopping all within an easy walk. The Galeries Lafayette shopping center is next door, a movie theater is across the street, and the Printemps department store is a five-minute walk away. The hotel is on the Rue Des Francs-Bourgeois, with trams running along the street -- the Langstross/Grand Rue stop is a one-minute walk away. The southern end of the Place Kleber Square is about a minute's walk from the hotel as well. Notre-Dame Cathedral of Strasbourg, the 15th-century timber-framed Kammerzell House, the Museum of Decorative Arts, and the Palais Rohan are within a five-minute walk, as is the Maison Rouge, the Church of St. Thomas, the main Lutheran church in the city; La Petite France with its channels and 16th- and 17th-century half-timbered buildings; and Place Broglie Square with the Strasbourg Opera House, City Hall, Hotel des Deux-Ponts (Governor's Palace), and Hotel de Klinglin. The Strasbourg-Ville train station is about 10 minutes away by tram. Strasbourg Airport is a 25-minute drive from the hotel.

Standard Rooms range from 129 square feet (12 square meters) to 334 square feet (31 square meters) -- so some are quite small -- and 538 square feet (50 square meters) to 861 square feet (80 square meters) in the suites. All are air-conditioned, with desks, safes, minibars, kettles for instant coffee and tea, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs with more than 60 channels (including English-language channels). At 32 inches, some of the TVs are small and difficult to view from the beds. Suites have separate living rooms with upholstered chairs and sofas. White-tile bathrooms are well-lighted, with ample room around the sinks. All have magnifying mirrors, shower/tub combs with detachable showerheads, and bidets. Suites have jetted tubs.

There are few features at this hotel, though most of what's on offer at least makes things convenient for travelers. Maison Rouge serves an ample breakfast (for a fee) with scrambled eggs, bacon, cold cuts, cheeses, breads, pastries, cereal, yogurt, coffee, tea, and juice. The hotel's cocktail lounge offers a wide range of beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails. The hotel also has meeting rooms, a public computer, a 24-hour front desk, tourist assistance, and nearby public parking (for a fee). Wi-Fi is free throughout.