Hôtel Ecole Centrale

Ideally located along the northwestern edge of the Marais, near the Musée des Arts et Métiers (one of our favorite museums under the sun), the three-star Hôtel Ecole Centrale glows with a celestial, eternal holiday vibe. Immediately upon entering its spacious lobby, we found ourselves humming “Blue Skies.”

Quick read

Pros: Well-equipped rooms. Fun art-deco look. Lively, movie-set decor in lobby. Friendly management.
Cons: Rooms can be very pricey.

Rooms

The hotel’s 22 small rooms are brightened with vibrant sponge washes in orange, yellow and lavender, and the funky, art deco-inspired furniture is accentuated by hand-painted contrasting wall stripes. Rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen television, phone and free Wi-Fi. Rooms on the first three floors have higher ceilings supported by exposed wooden beams. A sixth-floor deluxe suite offers a Jacuzzi bathtub, slanted ceilings and skylights (but you’ll have to take the stairs up from the fifth floor to get there).

The renovated bathrooms shine on with new fixtures. Bathtubs (and bathrooms with a view!) are available (ask ahead).

Hotel facilities

Downstairs, the lobby and adjoining café are whimsically decked out in pulsating hues, potted palms and posh wicker, along with wall murals and scattered wrought iron grilles. It’s very much a “movie-set feel” and reminded us of “Rick’s Café” from “Casablanca”—and, perhaps, an Italian palazzo, too.

The breakfast room’s balcony and the “Phantom”-worthy crystal chandelier hovering above the reception desk are equally swoon-worthy, and the management and staff are friendly and helpful.

Breakfast is available for a rather steep €15.