By Susanna Lo
Hotel Lautrec Opera
The contemporary and charming Hotel Lautrec Opera is centrally located in Paris' 2nd Arrondisement. The hotel has fewer than 60 rooms with service that is warm and attentive, including a 24-hour concierge. The neighborhood is predominantly business-oriented, but a 10-minute walk in any direction will take you to some of Paris' top attractions, from the Tuileries to the Louvre.
Wows and Woes
This hotel has an incredibly reasonable rate of 100 Euros a night as of September 2009 for a place that is quite large by Paris standards, with the efficient feel of a four-star hotel vs. a small pension.
The amenities are a bit lacking, just a basic television, hair dryer, minibar and air conditioning but no 24-hour room service in a neighborhood where the restaurants close early.
Insider Tips
Skip the breakfast buffet and walk five minutes toward the Seine and have breakfast at the top of the Samaritain shopping mall, where you can catch the best view of Paris.
Author's Most Memorable Moment
The concierge is quite a connoisseur when it comes to epicurean delights. I had asked him to send me to the most affordable place where I could get foie gras and champagne, and he sent me to the Galeries LaFayette, the grand department store that had a gourmet section. He then arranged for an ice bucket and silverware delivered to my room when I returned.
Bottom Line
This hotel has a great rate and decent-sized rooms, so it's worth staying at.
About the Author:
Susanna Lo is an established writer/director/producer who has won awards in The Berlin and Montreal film festivals and is a member of PEN International. She's written for Paramount on Star Trek: Voyager and Seven Days. Susanna is a dedicated world traveler living in several countries in Europe, Asia and North America.
