The London List Abroad Review: Artus Hotel, ParisThe London List

By Sam Bathe on 2 Apr 2013

Paris is fantastic as a tourist destination for many reasons, but while the city boasts an embarrassment of riches when it comes to hotels, finding one you’ll really like in amongst 1001 options can be something of a problem. The 4* Artus Hotel offers style and substance, a delightfully decorated and welcoming hotel awash with comforts and amenities to make your stay as enjoyable, relaxing and easy as possible.

Location

Located just off Boulevard Saint-Germain at the centre of the well to-do neighbourhood, the Artus Hotel is handily just five minutes walk from Saint-Germain-des-Prés (M4) and barely two minutes walk from Mabilon (M10) Metro stations. On the nearby streets you’ll find everything you need for a last minute present buy, to stock up with snacks or grab a drink and bite to eat. Small restaurants and bars flood Rue de Seine and Rue de Buci, plus a supermarket, chocolatier and mini market for bread and fruit.

Further afield, Saint Germain is known for its excellent shopping opportunities. With luxury brands flooding the main Boulevard, side-streets to the south specialise in small shoe boutiques, and art and book stores to the north.

Rooms

More than amply-sized for a couple, our room was filled with exciting colours and clean lines, with the décor across the whole hotel evoking 1950s Paris without ever feeling too busy. The room creates an atmosphere for guests and you’ll feel at home with reds and yellows bringing instant warmth. After forgetting power adapters we were delighted to see UK mains supply right there on the wall too, though the front desk have them to borrow if you still need a couple more.

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The bed was firm, as is often the case in Europe, but every night we got a very good sleep, with two fluffy pillows proving more than adequate. A gorgeous little chair sits at the desk (which we really wanted to bring home with us) and you’ll be able to access free WiFi from you room and throughout the hotel.

A big flatscreen TV shouldn’t come as a surprise for a 4* hotel but having BBC 1, 2 & 3 was a nice little extra, the easy to use Bose iPhone dock speaker made it super easy to listen to music while getting ready each day too.

Bathrooms

In the adjoining bathroom, a very large shower with a huge showerhead meant we didn’t miss not having a full bath. Big enough for couples to share, it brings even more romance to the room. The towels were fluffy and luxurious, with a dressing gown each for relaxing in the room. Toiletteries provided might not be everything you need for the whole stay, but with more than the essentials, you need not worry about anything for the shower, while travellers are often happier with their own beauty products and toothbrush anyway.

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Amenities

The concierge were second to none, supremely helpful with any of our queries and going out of their way in helping us get around Paris for the day and suggest good spots for shopping and eating, etc.

The hotel bar is a cosy cocktail lounge, and open to guests and non-residents, the fact it was busy every evening of our entire stay is testament to its pull. You’ll easily find yourself seeking a nightcap before heading up to your room, with an impressive range of favourites and signature cocktails.

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For guests only, the hotel boasts a small but very functional wellbeing centre, with a two-person sauna plus exercise bike, stepper and masseuse bookable through the concierge. With a few pounds burnt off, a really excellent room service menu might tempt you, though we didn’t try any of the dishes ourselves.

Breakfast

Breakfast is included in the standard room rate and you’d be a fool to not make the most of it. While you can order from a select menu to your room (and until a very generous 11am) the buffet in the Artus’ light and airy basement breakfast room offers delicious squeezed juices, fresh fruit, meats, cheese and fresh bread, while for the more adventurous, tasty mini croissants, donuts, waffles and bacon and eggs.

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Verdict

Checking out after three wonderful nights at the boutique Artus Hotel, we really can’t recommend it enough. Sitting very nicely as a 4* hotel, the detailed and inviting décor and supremely helpful staff will make you feel welcome the minute you walk into the foyer. Our room was romantic and intimate, perfect for couples exploring the city of love or families and solo travellers wanting life from their hotel rather than the inadventure you often get from similar or more expensive hotels.

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Rooms at the Artus run from €345 to €600 a night on the rate card but they offer up to a 50% discount for early booking and their website guarantee the best available prices anywhere on the internet.

Visit the Artus Hotel website for booking enquiries and the best rates on current availability: http://www.artushotel.com/
Artus Hôtel, 34 rue de Buci, 75006, Paris

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