Grand Hotel Leveque

We’ve been digging the two-star Grand Hôtel Lévêque for years. Located on the market-lined rue Cler above a café, fromagerie and a wine cave (for the love of Bacchus!), the hotel provides a comfy, central base at reasonable rates.

Quick read

Pros: Charming market street location near Eiffel Tower. Mod design in some rooms.

Cons: Street-facing rooms could be noisy. Dated design in some tired rooms.

Rooms

The Lévêque is undergoing a slow floor-by-floor makeover, converting its 50 rooms into newer, slicker ones. Renovated or not, all rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a television, phone and free Wi-Fi. Toiletries are also included in all rooms.

There are currently two floors of new “superior” rooms, which seem well suited for the hipster set: Small, but audaciously outfitted with funky lights, mod Philippe Starck-worthy chairs, leather headboards and sleek, matching desks and mirrors. Ceiling fans and bold wallpaper round out the scene. Bathrooms here are also big on modernist design, with over-sized tiles and square fixtures. Wait. Did we just spot Don Draper?

Downstairs, the less expensive “standard” rooms are old-fashioned and a tad drab, with walls in need of fresh paint-job and well-worn linens that could use replacing. Bathrooms are medium-sized but clean.

Rooms facing the street boast seasonal flower boxes and panoramic views of the Rue Cler and its bustling mini-markets. They’re great for people-watching, but remember that where there’s activity, there’s usually noise (pack earplugs if you’re in need of “Zs”).

Hotel facilities

The swanky lounge (which doubles as a breakfast room) livens up a mostly beatnik vibe with metallic fixtures and party-hat-shaped light fixtures. Breakfast is available for not-so-Cheapo €9.

The Lévêque doesn’t allow you to eat in the rooms, which is a pity given it’s proximity to so many fresh food sellers.

Don’t forget that the Eiffel Tower throws a five-minute nightly light show at 10 p.m. Pack wine and desserts, camp out in front of the tower, and call it a night!

Location

The rue Cler is a charming market street located a 5-10 minute walk east of the Eiffel Tower. The location will be ideal for guests who want to fling open their windows in the morning to see morning shopkeepers hustling and shoppers bustling. It’s also lined with hotels, cafés and restaurants. This area will be mostly quiet at night, as most sights (save a very famous tower) are located in more central neighborhoods.

Metro: The Grand Hôtel Lévêque is located a five-minute walk from the École Militaire Metro stop (line 8).