Paris, the City of Lights, is on everyone’s travel wish list, and for good reason. It’s a place where romance, history, and culinary delights collide, leaving you utterly enchanted. However, choosing the right hotel in Paris can be crucial to making your trip truly unforgettable.
Finding the Perfect Parisian Oasis
We spent countless hours researching hotels in Paris, prioritizing location as our top criteria. We knew we wanted to experience the charm of the Vieux Cité without relying on a car. With iconic landmarks clustered around the River Seine, we narrowed our search to the Arrondissements, the charming neighborhoods flanking the river. We envisioned our ideal hotel nestled somewhere between the Arc de Triomphe and the Latin Quarter.
A View to Remember
Our dream was to have a view of the Eiffel Tower from our hotel. We explored countless options online, realizing that hotels close to the iconic tower often came with a hefty price tag. Surprisingly, we found that hotels located a bit further away offered equally stunning views, sometimes even more panoramic.
Hôtel la Comtesse: A Parisian Gem
This is how we discovered Hôtel la Comtesse Paris Tour Eiffel. It’s the perfect location for exploring the City of Lights. Just a stone’s throw from Champ de Mars, the expansive lawn facing the Eiffel Tower, you can walk to this iconic landmark in just 15 minutes. While surrounded by iconic landmarks, the neighborhood was wonderfully un-touristy, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the local Parisian life.
A Boutique Hotel with Parisian Flair
Hôtel la Comtesse is a boutique hotel with just 40 elegant rooms and suites. Its 18th-century style transports you to another era. The Hausmannian building, typical of Paris, has a unique wedge shape, with the four rooms at the “bottom” of the V offering the most breathtaking views.
Step Back in Time
Stepping into the lobby is like stepping into a historic Parisian literary parlor. The beautiful frescoes on the ceiling are a sight to behold. The bookshelf beckons you to practice your French, and the comfy chairs are the perfect place to relax and watch the world go by.
A Parisian Café with a View
Adjacent to the lobby is La Comtesse Café, where you can enjoy the view of the Eiffel Tower from its windows or sidewalk seating. For those seeking fitness, the hotel offers a small gym and sauna downstairs.
Our Room with a View
Feeling truly French, we booked a Marquise Room, a superior double room with a side view of the Eiffel Tower. The V-shape of the building means rooms on either side of the V offer a side view – not the full-frontal view we hoped for but still a pleasant sight. Since we were spending most of our time exploring the city, we didn’t feel it was essential to splurge for a front-facing view.
A Charming Parisian Room
The room was small by American standards but perfectly adequate by European standards. It featured a comfortable queen-sized bed, a desk, two chairs, and two small closets that were sufficient for our short stay.
A Modern Bathroom with Parisian Charm
The bathroom was surprisingly large, but shared the common hotel bathroom dilemma of lacking counter space. The extra-large sink took up valuable space that could have been utilized better. The bathroom was tiled and featured a modern open shower, which, in the chilly weather, led to a slightly slippery floor. We were, however, grateful for the heated towel rack.
A Comfortable Stay with Convenient Amenities
The room came equipped with a coffee maker, a safe large enough for a laptop, and cable TV. The staff was exceptional at providing extra towels, toiletries, and coffee.
A Parisian Breakfast with a View
The café offered a help-yourself breakfast with pastries, cheese and meats, yogurts, and fruit. While we initially didn’t realize it, made-to-order eggs were also available. Our favorite part of the breakfast was the traditional hot croissants and the coffee maker that allowed us to prepare our own coffee from espresso to mocha lattes.
A Parisian Experience
While the entire city was just outside our window, one of the most enjoyable moments of our trip was sitting in the café every morning, sipping a Cappuccino while admiring the Eiffel Tower. It was a true Parisian experience!
Exceptional Service
The staff at Hôtel la Comtesse was incredible. From the moment we arrived, they made us feel welcome. They were always helpful, friendly, and professional, greeting us with a lively “Bonjour” and a courteous smile.
A Prime Location
The hotel’s location was unbeatable. Three École Militaire bus stops were right in front of the hotel, and the École Militaire metro stop was just a short walk away. Several restaurants were nearby, including burgers, vegan options, and the larger Café des Officiers, Café Tourville, and La Terrasse.
Exploring Paris
Within a few minutes’ walk, you can find UNESCO headquarters, Napoleon’s Tomb, Musée de l’Armée, and Musée Rodin. The Champ de Mars park, a short stroll away, offers breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tower, particularly at the Mur pour la Paix (Wall of Peace). A leisurely walk through Champ de Mars takes you directly to the Eiffel Tower in less than 30 minutes. You can also reach Place de la Concorde in 30 minutes, with the Champ Elysées on one side and the Jardin des Tuileries on the other. The Arc de Triomphe and Musée du Louvre lie in either direction. Notre Dame is about an hour’s walk away.
Our Verdict
We absolutely loved our stay at Hôtel la Comtesse and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Paris. While some might find the room size small, it’s common in Paris. The pros far outweigh any minor cons.
Would We Return?
Without a doubt, yes!
Note: This review is based on our personal experience and is not influenced by any external factors.
