Villa Novarina

In a quiet location near the Parc de l'Orangerie and its zoo, Villa Novarina is housed in a three-story white modernist building with big windows and balconies. It's exterior is a clue to what's inside, as the hotel feels somewhat like a gallery of modernist design. The low-ceilinged, minimalist lobby, with tan rugs and sofas and predominantly bare white walls, has Le Corbusier and Knoll chairs, and provides areas where guests can gather. Be careful, though, as the gallery-like feel can be taken to an extreme -- we spotted chairs marked with "Do not sit" signs. The breakfast room is also decorated in a minimalist style, with big windows overlooking the outdoor pool. In warm weather, breakfast can be taken on the terrace by the pool, which is set amid a backyard pine trees, shrubs, and a hedge. The small bar has a lounge with camel-colored brown sofas, and the spa has a sitting room with more Le Corbusier and Knoll chairs in black, blue, and red. The hotel draws leisure travelers, especially design aficionados, and has a quiet, artsy vibe.

Villa Novarina is in a quiet, largely residential area, a three-minute walk to the 6,400-acre Parc de l'Orangerie. The park features a pavilion, the Les Amis du Zoo, a stork sanctuary, playgrounds, huge lawns, fountains, a lake, and waterfall. There are a few restaurants a short walk from the Villa, but not much shopping. The Verdun bus stop the Orangerie tram stop are both about a five-minute walk away. The hotel is a 15-minute walk to the area with the Universite tram stop, Zoological Museum of Strasbourg, Observatory of Strasbourg, and northern edge of the University of Strasbourg campus. Place Broglie Square is about 10 minutes away by tram from the Orangerie stop. On the square are the Strasbourg Opera House, City Hall, Hotel des Deux-Ponts (Governor's Palace), and Hotel de Klinglin. It's a seven-minute drive from the hotel or 15 minutes by tram from Orangerie to Notre-Dame Cathedral of Strasbourg, the 15th-century timber-framed Kammerzell House, the Museum of Decorative Arts, and the Palais Rohan. Place Kleber central square is a 10-minute drive from the hotel, or about 15 minutes by tram from Orangerie. La Petite France is a beguiling district with canals and 16th- and 17th-century half-timbered buildings; it's a a 10-minute drive or a little more than 15 minutes by tram from Orangerie. The Strasbourg-Ville train station is a a 10-minute drive, or 20 minutes by tram to the Orangerie. Strasbourg Airport is a little less than a 25-minute drive from the hotel.

The 24 rooms and suites at Villa Novarina have a modernist look, including funky vintage lamps and Knoll desk chairs. Rooms also have red, brown, or black vinyl chairs, hardwood floors, and white cotton bedding. Some are a bit spartan, like the Superior Room that we visited, with nothing on the white walls but a small piece of mid-century art. Higher-category rooms, like the Suite Signature that we visited, have a bit more personality, helped in part by the retro red leather couch and just a bit more polish. Standard Rooms range from 215 square feet (20 square meters) to 323 square feet (30 square meters), meaning that all rooms are generously sized in a country filled with tiny hotel rooms. Suites measure 592 square feet (55 square meters). All rooms come with desks, safes, minibars, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and big flat-screen TVs with 220 channels (including English-language channels). Some rooms have balconies with tables and chairs, and some overlook the pool. Bathrooms are spacious and well lighted, and some have windows that let in natural light. Not all have tubs, and counter space can be limited. Higher-end rooms have jetted tubs, bathrobes, and slippers. All bathrooms include high-end Nuxe toiletries. 

Villa Novarina offers a good range of amenities for its size. For one, it's the rare Strasbourg hotel with an outdoor pool, and the one here is heated and open year-round. There's nowhere to sit or sunbathe, but it's still a welcome addition. The spa has an outdoor hot tub, also open year-round, and a steam room and wood sauna. Massages are available for a fee and Nuxe products are used in treatments. The Villa serves a breakfast buffet (for a fee) with hot eggs, cold cuts, cheese, homemade pastries, breads, cereal, fruit, and fruit salad, coffee, tea, and juice. The hotel does not have a full restaurant, but there are restaurants nearby, and they will deliver. The hotel also has a cocktail bar, meeting rooms, business center, 24-hour front desk, and free parking. Wi-Fi is free throughout.