FRANCE - Best of Europe 2014 - page 352

The peaceful, residential character of this river-wrapped island, with its brilliant location
and homemade ice cream, has drawn Americans for decades. There are no budget values
here—all of the hotels are three-star or more—though prices are reasonable for the level of
comfort. The island's village ambience and proximity to the Marais, Notre-Dame, and the
Latin Quarter make this area well worth considering. All of the following hotels are on the
island's main drag, Rue St. Louis-en-l'Ile, where I list several restaurants (see here ) . For
nearby services, see the Marais neighborhood section; for locations, see the Marais Hotels
map, earlier.
$$$ Hôtel du Jeu de Paume****, occupying a 17th-century tennis center, is the most
expensive hotel I list in Paris. When you enter its magnificent lobby, you'll understand why.
Greet Scoop, le chien , then take a spin in the glass elevator for a half-timbered-tree-house
experience. The 30 rooms are carefully designed and tasteful, though not particularly spa-
cious (you're paying for the location and public areas). Most rooms face a small garden;
all are pin-drop peaceful (standard Db-€290-330, deluxe Db-€400-560, €18 breakfast, 54
Rue St. Louis-en-l'Ile, tel. [phone], fax [phone], www.jeudepaumehotel.com ,
[e-mail] ).
$$$ Hôtel de Lutèce*** comes with a sit-awhile wood-paneled lobby and a real fire-
place.Roomsatthisappealinghotelarehandsome,andthoseonlowerfloorshavehighceil-
ings. Twin rooms are larger and the same price as double rooms. Rooms with bathtubs are
on the louder street-side, while those with showers are on the courtyard (Db-€220, Tb-€255,
65 Rue St. Louis-en-l'Ile, tel. [phone], fax [phone], www.hoteldelutece.com ,
[e-mail] ).
$$$ Hôtel des Deux-Iles*** has the same owners and same prices as the Lutèce (listed
above), with a tad less personality (59 Rue St. Louis-en-l'Ile, tel. [phone], fax 01 43
29 60 25, www.hoteldesdeuxiles.com , [e-mail] ).
$$ Hôtel Saint-Louis*** blends character with modern comforts. The well-maintained
rooms come with cool stone floors and exposed beams. Rates are reasonable...for the loc-
ation (Db-€175-195, top-floor Db with micro-balcony-€245, Tb-€289, iPads available for
guest in-room use, 75 Rue St. Louis-en-l'Ile, tel. [phone], fax [phone],
www.hotelsaintlouis.com , [e-mail] ) .
In the Luxembourg Garden Area (St. Sulpice to Panthéon)
(5th and 6th arrondissements, Mo: St. Sulpice, Mabillon, Odéon, and
Cluny-La Sorbonne; RER: Luxembourg)
This neighborhood revolves around Paris' loveliest park and offers quick access to the city's
bestshoppingstreetsandgrandestcafé-hopping.Hotelsinthiscentralareaaremoreexpens-
ive than those in the Rue Cler area or Marais neighborhood, but a better value than accom-
modations on Ile St. Louis. Sleeping in the Luxembourg area offers a true Left Bank exper-