Finding a good hotel in Paris can be difficult; the city has traditionally been littered with old-fashioned two- and three-star properties with a smattering of luxury palaces such as the George V, providing few options for those searching for budget accommodation without compromising on style. Recently, though, the city has begun to spawn a new generation of smaller boutique hotels offering beautiful design at low prices.
The Hotel Aviatic – my base during my recent Paris trip – is one such option. Located in the heart of the sixth arrondissement between St Germain-des-Prés and Montparnasse, it combines a sense of history with warm, inviting design, while a wide range of nearby metro stations provide easy access to all parts of the city and the main transport hubs.
Hotel Aviatic, Paris
The former townhouse became a hotel in 1912, when aviators from the nearby Issy-les-Moulineaux airfield stayed in the building and gave it its name. It later provided accommodation for the many artists and writers who passed through St Germain and Montparnasse during the twentieth century.
Recently renovated, the hotel is now clad in warm reds, pinks and muted greys, with striped walls and Chinese fabrics. Its elegant interior blends Art Deco style and a touch of glamour with comforts such as squashy armchairs and piles of cushions, while the rooms – though tiny – offer blissfully comfortable beds, plasma TVs, stylish bathrooms and luxury toiletries.
Free drinks and nibbles are set out every evening in the lounge and breakfast is served in the miniscule bistro, whose walls are plastered with posters from Parisian shows and exhibitions. The hotel will also supply a picnic on request – perfect for lazy days in the nearby Jardin de Luxembourg.
