Hotel Du Quai Voltaire

The two-star Hotel du Quai Voltaire, located along the Seine near many art galleries and rare bookstores, is quintessentially Parisian, complete with a rich cultural history and views of the Seine and Louvre. While rates do sometimes drop to Cheapo territory, the average rate for a double hovers in the €130 and up zone, making this a good choice for travelers looking to splurge on location and history.

Quick read

Pros: Incredible location along the Seine. Fascinating history. Amazing views.
Cons: Steep rates. Street-side rooms can be a little noisy.

The hotel

The hotel seems to be frozen in time. Constructed as a convent in 1780, it became a hotel in 1856 and soon after found itself lodging a “Who’s Who” of artists and writers. These included Baudelaire (who wrote “Les Fleurs du Mal” here), Pissarro (who painted his famous “Le Pont Rouge” from his window in room 302), Oscar Wilde and Richard Wagner (who enjoyed a spacious triple on the second floor).

The hotel’s 32 rooms are pretty and unfussy, with a mix of antique and vintage furnishings, brass light fixtures, dark blue carpeting and light bedspreads. TVs are available upon request, and all rooms have a fan and Wi-Fi access (for a charge). Despite renovations, rooms maintain a "grandmotherly" feel. Rooms facing the Quai offer breathtaking views of the Seine (reserve well in advance for one of the rooms with a balcony).

Bathrooms are tiled, and equipped with a hair dryer and either a tub or shower.

Note that even with double-glazed windows, you can still hear the murmur of traffic below—request a higher floor (light sleepers could request a room facing the rear).

Facilities

Downstairs, you'll find a lounge with newspapers and an Internet station. A continental breakfast is served in a spacious room overlooking the street for a not-so-cheapo €10.