The 7th Arrondissement is a prime Left Bank neighborhood near such top Paris sights as the Eiffel Tower, Musee d'Orsay, and Hotel des Invalides, the imposing 17th-century home to Napoleon’s tomb. Most streets in the area are almost strictly residential, with the occasional restaurant, grocer, and petite hotel -- intimate little boutiques that blend right in with their neighboring buildings.
Look for the blue awnings and wooden cafe tables, and you've arrived at Hotel Duquesne Eiffel, a comfortable 40-room hotel within walking distance to Left Bank tourist sites. There are few communal areas inside, but guests can order a drink in the lobby lounge or have breakfast (for a fee) in the underground room with original stone walls. The bright rooms come with flat-screen TVs and minibars -- the best ones are located on the top floor and include balconies (standing only) with direct views of the Eiffel Tower.
Occupying the corner wedge of an attractive Haussmannian building, with an intricate wrought iron and carved limestone facade, Hotel La Comtesse is unmistakably Parisian. The upscale property re-opened in 2016 after a head-to-toe renovation that remodeled interiors across its six floors and 40 guest rooms. Interiors channel the spirit of an 18th-century literary salon with a chic design that combines Louis XVI-style antiques and ceiling murals with modern artworks and funky details. Splashes of red and gold add to the lavish-yet-tasteful feel. The makeover also expanded the hotel's ground floor to include a bright tea room that overlooks the street, with sidewalk seating presenting the hotel's main attraction: the Eiffel Tower. The Paris icon is visible from each of the 40 guest rooms, which also have flat-screen TVs, minibars, and electric kettles with free coffee and tea. Upgraded rooms add Bluetooth speakers and espresso machines.
Conveniently located within a 15-minute walk of the Eiffel Tower, the Invalides, and the Rodin Museum, the 43-room Hotel Muguet is a simple boutique hotel with fair rates and clean, cozy rooms -- some with splendid views of the Eiffel Tower. The hotel's common areas are limited to the Art Nouveau-style lobby and an airy breakfast room. The real gem of the property is a glassed-in sitting room that looks out onto a small back patio filled with plants; the garden does not have sitting areas, but the combination of light and vegetation spruces up the otherwise slightly dark hotel.
The 31-room Hotel de l’Empereur is located on a quiet corner of a small street overlooking the Hotel des Invalides. The hotel's classic French facade blends in with the other buildings on the block, and interiors feel equally Parisian. The air-conditioned rooms are tastefully decorated with patterned wallpaper and dramatic drapes, and come with amenities like flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and modern bathrooms like rainfall showers and heated towel racks. Some rooms have balconies with city views. The views, decor, and quiet location near the Eiffel Tower make this a solid choice for tourists who want a clean, comfortable place to stay while exploring the city.
Within 15-minutes walking distance of the Eiffel Tower, Hotel Le Walt is a chic upper-middle-range boutique property whose design includes reproductions of Louvre oil paintings. The 25 airy rooms receive lots of natural light, and come with satellite TVs, DVD players, minibars, free Wi-Fi, and sleek bathrooms with rainfall showers and towel warmers. An open-design bar and breakfast room share an outdoor terrace with umbrella-covered tables.
Built in 1930, Hotel le Tourville is a boutique property with a theme that emphasizes French literary arts. Some guests may find the interpretation a little off -- the desk nestled into a bookshelf with a flower vase isn't exactly an authentic recreation of a writer's study, and the Proust quotes scrawled on the walls feel more college classroom than boutique chic. Still, the overall atmosphere is one of reflective calm, with a dash of trendy style. The hotel has a small lounge with an honesty bar and a breakfast room with a vaulted ceiling, and most of its 30 rooms come with smartphones -- all include iPod docks, flat-screen TVs, kettles, and free Wi-Fi. Suites add jetted tubs and espresso machines.
The 16-room Hotel Motte Picquet is a charming boutique with Rococo style and contemporary design situated in a peaceful neighborhood near the Eiffel Tower. The Rue Cler, a cobblestone street lined with open-air food vendors, is nearby. Rooms are colorful and inviting with jewel-toned walls, fun use of patterns, and ornate wood-and-gilt mirrors. Many guests comment positively on the warm reception of staff and the cleanliness of rooms, but there are few amenities on-site and there is a fee for breakfast.