Le Petit Paris

Text Susie Hollands   Le Petit Paris is a welcome addition to the mid priced hotel options in one of the most sought after areas of the city. Still feeling brand new (opened September 2009) the old Relais de Poste is perfectly situated just 1 minute from the eastern gates of Luxembourg Gardens. It's equally suitable for a lover's weekend or  a family outing  perched at the slightly scruffier (but more fun) end of rue Saint-Jacques just past the Pantheon. Those seeking an authentic Latin Quarter experience will not be disappointed.  This is an unspoiled enclave, one of the cutest sections of the street next to an excellent Cave, cheese shop, bakery and with numerous bookshops for browsing.

Smart and cheerful rather than sophisticated or snobby like many aspirational hotels in this price range, designer Sybille de Margerie (currently decorating the new  Parisian "Palace," the Mandarin Oriental on the Faubourg-St-Honoré) has mixed quality fabrics with contemporary furnishings and details. The design looks in danger of dating (chain mail lampshades and a colour palette using plenty of lime green) but for now it's fresh, bright and cheery. The theme of the rooms reflecting the 5 main periods of Paris but also alluding to a David Lynch film (quoi?) seems a little muddled and has not quite come off.

Nevertheless, the small rooms are comfortable, ask for one with a bath if you wish to stretch out - space saving means the majority of the 20 rooms have only a shower. The important wireless internet throughout the hotel is a plus for business travelers and the ground floor lounge is a comfortable place to do a little work and avail oneself of the free snacks, Mariage Frères tea and Nespresso. The Honesty bar opens at 6pm through midnight but the room mini bar facilities are lacking for those who wish to tipple in private.  The breakfast buffet is more than generous with a great speciality bread selection.

Building it's reputation through word of mouth, notably positive reviews on Trip Advisor ,the future looks as bright as the décor. Neither smarmily slick nor too "budget" it's a perfect middle range hotel where the warmth of the welcome makes it a little special.

Rates  240-360 euros
Buffet Breakfast 10 euros

Le Petit Paris
214 rue Saint-Jacques
75005 Paris