Tucked away on a quiet, almost pedestrian street between the Madeleine and the Opera the Hotel Queen Mary offers a charming small hotel feel in a city where all too often you can feel overwhelmed. The Hotel van at the airport can drop you off right at the door of the hotel, if you chose you can also take the airport bus but it will drop you off at the Opera which is quite a walk dragging along your suitcase. If you can afford it the best option is to take a cab and arrive in style.

You will feel as if you have arrived in style when you enter the small but charming entry hall. To your right is the lounge with bright blue sofas and yellow walls, all very French feeling. To the left is a charming bar area.

The check in is easy and you will be assigned one of the 36 rooms or suites. The rooms vary greatly in size and configuration. You have the choice of one bed or two and of standard or superior rooms. The suites are a whole other option. If you can afford it I am going to suggest that you opt for a superior room. Not only will it give you a view of the street but the rooms are very much larger. Standard rooms have all the same amenities but they are smaller and if possible don't get one of the rooms on the main floor, they can be noisy and having seen several of them, they are quite small.

The rooms that overlook the street have charming faux balconies and over look the teashop across the street. The elevator is petit so this isn't the place to be visiting with your steamer truck.

The rooms have all the amenities you would expect in a three star hotel and in the English style you will see a trouser press on the wall, nice if you want to add those sharp creases to your trousers. The bathrooms are exceptional, white tiled with tubs and bidets. The tubs are deep and roomy, good for soaking.

There are no closets in the room but instead there are large armoires to hold all your necessities and also a desk. The beds are comfortable and the bedding rich and luxurious in tones of red and gold.

Breakfast is served in the basement breakfast room and includes such luscious delights as pain chocolate, eggs, croissant and other little treats. It is not included in the price of the room and is actually quite expensive for what it is. If you want to save a bit the tea room across the street can give you coffee and croissant at a better price but without as much atmosphere.The dining room is done is yellow and has a domed ceiling, a very caveau affect.

This is a small hotel and makes up for what is lacking in services with it's charm. The staff are friendly and can give you directions if you are looking for a restaurant in the area for dinner.

There are two Metro stations in the area. We prefer the Madeleine station and you get to walk by Fauchon's delightful store every time that you do it. There are many restaurants in the area, we like Patong Thai Restaurant and if you are a history buff the Chapelle Expiatoire where the bodies of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI were originally buried is a very short walk away.

This is our favorite hotel in Paris. They offer special rates during the year and especially in the colder months, they might even be considered a bargain.

Learn more about this author, Belle Starr.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Hotel reviews: Hotel Queen Mary, Paris, France?
We want to hear your view. Write now!