christopherpI5369NE
Couples · November 202510/10
Booked this hotel after doing much research. We've stayed in Montparnasse before and wanted some place closer to the Ile de la Cite.
This wonderful hotel did not disappoint. It was walking distance ...Booked this hotel after doing much research. We've stayed in Montparnasse before and wanted some place closer to the Ile de la Cite.
This wonderful hotel did not disappoint. It was walking distance to Notre Dame, Sainte Chapelle, the Conciergerie, the Pantheon, Jardin de Luxembourg, the Louvre, the Sorbonne, Musee de Cluny, Musee d'Orsay, Musee de L'Orangerie, the Jardin des Tuileries, Pont Neuf, countless restaurants, and markets. Admittedly, the Louvre and Jardin des Tuileries are a little farther off, but still within walking distance.
Celine and Anna (both wonderful) checked us in and patiently corrected our horrid French. There was another lovely lady about 7-8 months pregnant with her first baby (a girl) who also took great care of us. The lady manning the breakfast area was also exceptional. I wish we had gotten both of their names. The night staff were also excellent.
Our room (306) was on what we would consider to be the 4th floor in the U.S. There is a tiny slow-as-molasses elevator that will comfortably handle 2 people plus their luggage if you suck in your fat American beer bellies. so we took the stairs most of the time. The building is possibly a century (?) old so the stairs are uneven and narrow - take your time going up and down. The staircase lights are on timer switches so they go on when you turn them on. Once you get off the elevator, lighting is triggered by a sensor so just take a few steps in and you'll have light. As with most European hotels, you slide your card key into the slot just inside the door when you enter your room to turn on room power for lighting and outlets.
Despite the building's age, there are obviously recent signs of renovation. Finishes and interior decor are fresh, clean, and new. There is a nicely appointed lounge, library, and honor bar on floor -1 (sub-basement level 1), reception, lobby, and courtyard entrance is on floor 0 (ground floor - what would be the 1st floor in the U.S.), and a breakfast room on floor -2 (sub-basement level 2).
Our room was small by U.S. standards but roomier and better laid out than some hotels we stayed at on past trips to Europe. The room was immaculate - we are usually a bit OCD and this room exceeded our expectations. The bathroom was recently renovated and had all Grohe fixtures. Soaps were excellent. There was even a towel warmer. The bed was very comfortable and we slept well. Not much closet space and there was no dresser in the room but there were plenty of shelves and that worked out just fine. There was an electric kettle in the room and complimentary teas (also excellent by the way). There was a minibar/refrig in the room as well. We asked if it was OK for us to use the refrigerator for our own food and drinks and the hotel staff gladly removed the minibar contents - very pleased! My favorite part of the room were the balcony windows which could be opened wide for air and views. My favorite thing to do was to come back from visiting museums, open the windows for air, sit in a chair, prop my feet up, and journal while sipping on a nice drink. The Rue du Sommerard was turned into a pedestrian mall (so no cars or parking) with a nice green sward down the center of it. Across the street is a kindergarten so you'll occasionally see and hear children playing. You can visualize trees and blue sky and traffic noise from Blvd Saint-Germain (a block away) is muted, so kind of idyllic. It fit all our criteria for a pleasant boutique hotel.
Now, on to food. Their breakfast buffet was excellent. A very nice variety of fruit (fresh and dried), pastries, breads, tarts, cut-your-own baguettes, condiments, hot selections, cheeses, charcuterie, salad greens, veges, juices, coffee, and teas. If anything, the buffet alone was enough for me to recommend staying here. The desk staff made excellent recommendations for nearby restaurants.
Getting to the hotel from the Gare du Nord was effortless - a short RER B line train ride to Saint-Michel Notre-Dame RER station and then a short walk to the hotel. My wife insisted on taking a very expensive cab to CDG for our flight out. I would recommend using Uber or taking the train. There are plentiful transit options near the hotel. Your closest metro station will be Maubert - Mutualité (serves Metro line 10) which is about 2 blocks northeast of the hotel. Be forewarned that some of the metro stations do not have escalators or elevators so travel light.
There are many nearby stores if you want staples like drinks, snacks, takeaway food. Monoprix (3-4 blocks away west of the hotel on Rue du Sommerard) is a supermarket chain with a decent range of hot and cold takeaway food if you don't feel like eating at a restaurant. If you want cheap drinks (and French snack food for the office staff when you get back), I would recommend Carrefors (3-4 blocks west of the hotel on Blvd Saint-Germain). There is another market chain - Franprix - which has limited takeaway food and mid-priced drinks.
To summarize, this hotel and its staff made our Paris trip wonderful and I would definitely stay here again.Show More
