Review of Cadran Hotel, by Nadia Latif

Hotels within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower are, for the most part, heinously expensive or slightly seedy. What the 1st arrondissement is crying out for is affordable accommodation that doesn’t err on the side of faded chintz and sticky laminate.

Enter the Cadran Hotel. It ticks all the boxes for a contemporary urban hotel; it’s clean, design-led and has flat screen televisions in all its guestrooms. Beds are king-size and there’s a choice of lighting to reflect your mood. They’ve even installed rain showers in the bathrooms.  But instead of wallet-busting room rates, a stay here regularly comes in at under EUR 150 per night.

The reception is a glass-walled and black-tiled affair that instantly creates a trendy vibe. It shares its space with a Christophe Roussel patisserie, piled high with pastel-coloured macaroons and slabs of nut-studded chocolate.

The real reason to check in, though, is the location. The Eiffel Tower can be reached in less than ten minutes on foot. There is a wealth of bistros, bakeries and smart restaurants in neighbouring streets, and it’s right round the corner from the ultra-chic Rue Cler.