6 Best Hotels in St-Germain-des-Pres, Paris

This neighborhood institution has been restored to its former Art Nouveau glory, complete with a great restaurant and semi-private bar. The decor is cozy and elegant, and there are a variety of rooms, including a handful with Eiffel Tower views. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the restaurant Annette sports a classic French menu and is quickly becoming the go-to place for locals and guests.

One of the best things about this comfortable six-story hotel is that it's smack in the middle of Rue de Buci, in the lively St-Germain-des-Prés district. This means you can breakfast at Paul (the well-known French boulangerie), shop at the Marché St-Germain indoor market, and then relax with an espresso at Bar du Marché. The hotel's contemporary rooms are 1950s retro-colorful, while bathrooms are in marble and chrome. Although there's no restaurant, you can enjoy a generous breakfast buffet in the downstairs breakfast room and room service from Café Mabillon next door.

It's hard to know which is better: the charm of this small boutique hotel or its location, just steps from the Luxembourg Gardens. Renovated with care, the hotel has airy, pleasant rooms with nature themes. Book one of the rooms with a private terrace and you can enjoy breakfast or an evening drink overlooking neighboring rooftops. If you're planning a sudden trip to Paris, check the website for last-minute discounts on room rentals.

The service, amenities, and petit déjeuner (breakfast) may be far from luxurious at this unpretentious family-owned-and-operated hotel, but the location in the heart of St-Germain is fabulous. The relatively spacious rooms are comfortable, with old-fashioned wood furnishings, renovated bathrooms, and neutral white and beige upholstery. Wi-Fi access is free. Children are welcome; baby cribs and high chairs are even available.

If you're looking for a room in a chic area with gentler prices, Hotel Delavigne is a reasonable option on a quiet street. The reception area is tiny, but the welcome is friendly and professional and the rooms are clean and comfortable. It is also a short stroll to the Luxembourg Gardens and the neighborhood's best cafés and restaurants.

For pure French flavor, including rooms decorated in floral chintz, check out this intimate hotel in a hidden-away location between Boulevard St-Germain and Rue du Bac. Four of the antiques-filled rooms have spacious terraces overlooking the courtyard. The 16th-century basement lounge is a warren of stone alcoves with a zinc bar and plush seating.