Review of Villa d'Estrees, by Jamie Dunford Wood

The Villa d'Estrees on the Left Bank of the Seine and has just 21 suites, studios and apartments, making this a great long-stay option for a boutique hotel in Paris. The tone here is modern French Empire - the designer worked with Jacques Garcia, of the Hotel Costes, and his influence can be seen in the Moroccan tiled bathrooms, the mulberry and duck-egg blue colours, and the canopied beds.

The facilities

Old military prints grace the walls. The reception area of the boutique hotel is small and discreet, and doubles as a breakfast area in the morning. There are free quality English newspapers every day, adding a thoughtful touch. However, there is no other public space, so this is more of a boutique all-suite residence than a boutique hotel.

The rooms

The first floor rooms in this boutique hotel have high ceilings. There are just two to each floor - the main part of Villa d'Estrees has just ten suites - and the right hand ones are squarer, classed as large doubles, while the left hand ones are oblong in shape, slightly larger, and more suite-like while others are Asian-themed. All 21 rooms have power showers and the apartments, in a neighbouring building have small kitchens and two rooms, best for a three person stay. The best in the boutique hotel are on the first and second floors, with beamed ceilings.