The Place
This place would suit Brits who get homesick abroad… Although the British nautical theme (copies of Turner paintings on the walls; plates of the Royal Family in the breakfast room) throughout is charming, you may wonder whether you’ve crossed the Channel at all. But, for its location – just off the rue de Rivoli and a five-minute walk from the Ile de la Cité and Notre Dame – perhaps you won’t mind.
Rooms and bathrooms are comfortable, use their space well, provide ample tea and coffee facilities (it must be British-influenced), but lack individuality. However, the warm, deep red carpet, furnishings and tester above the bed do make the place feel luxurious. The smallest rooms on the sixth floor may be short on floor space, but they are (very) good value for comfort and centrality in Paris – we were also amused by the picture frames painted around the windows. If you like to open your windows, ask for a room on the back of the hotel – the traffic noise on busy avenue Victoria was fairly intrusive in the morning (although you may avoid it by their double-glazing and air-conditioning).
Unusually, breakfast is copious with hot and cold options, though our reporter would have liked a bigger cup for her coffee. Staff are courteous and unobtrusive – a thoroughly pleasant place to stay.