Hôtel Récamier

Small hotel rooms are as much a part of Paris as croissants and crêpes. The problem usually isn't so much the lack of space but the lack of imagination in using it, and that's where the newly revamped Hôtel Récamier stands out—a 24-room hotel where management has given some real thought to designing for tight quarters. And with good reason—it's tucked into a corner of the Place Saint Sulpice, between Saint Germain des Prés and the Odéon, in the center of the Left Bank, occupying a small portion of the most expensive real estate in Paris.

The space may be doled out by the teaspoon, but the bedroom area of our Tradition room—perhaps 10 by 10 ft—included a canopied double bed, a reading chair, a desk and a functional closet. The bathroom was one of the best-designed we've ever seen—plenty of shelf space at the basin and a fully enclosed walk-in shower complete with great water pressure. A wall-mounted flat-screen TV, an iPod docking station and a free WiFi connection added the right technology. Downstairs there's a small concierge desk manned by an accommodating staff, a breakfast room/bar/tea room and an artfully decorated "library" with a fireplace. There's also a small greenery-filled courtyard with round tables and wicker chairs, and even a small workout area if you absolutely insist on sweating.

As clever as the Récamier is with space, there's no denying there's precious little of it. If you are claustrophobic, less than organized, or not in perfect synch with your roommate, you might want to think twice.

3 bis pl Saint Sulpice, 6th, 01.43.26.04.89. Standard double €250.  website

Originally published in the February 2010 issue of France Today

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