You'll rub shoulders with artists in the café, whose pieces may well be exhibited around you, and when the creative atmosphere inevitably leaves you inspired you can try your hand at painting and sketching in the guests' workshop. However, art doesn't overshadow amenity: when we last revisited we found the hotel to be warm and welcoming, with super-comfy beds, a relaxing atmosphere and a fabulous treatment room. The snug salon, with a flickering fire and soft sofas, exudes a bienvenue that's as friendly as the staff.
Highs
- Exemplary customer service is paramount for owners Laurent and Charlotte - and it shows
- A great location just a few steps from the métro, five minutes from the Jardin du Luxembourg, and a 20-minute saunter from St Germain des Prés
- Not only is the building a living gallery, but guests are allowed and encouraged to create their own masterpieces in the workshop
- The bedrooms are equal parts classy and comfy
- Indulging in the area's artistic heritage is great fun; we loved dining in the iconic brasseries and watching local painters at work
Lows
- There's no other outside space, though we managed to console ourselves in the stunning Jardin du Luxembourg (just minutes away)
- Parisian hotels are known for being compact, and at 13-18 sq.m the bedrooms here are no exception
- Some ensuites only have bathtubs or showers. Choose your room accordingly and specify a preference if needed
- There's no restaurant and breakfast is a bit pricey, but that's quite normal for Paris and they do offer evening room service
Best time to go
Our top tips
- Art Hotel
- 20 rooms
- Breakfast (+ room service)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Concierge Service
Rooms
The 20 rooms are divided into categories (roughly) according to their size. This is Paris so don’t expect oodles of space (13-18 sq.m), but rooms are cleverly designed with curtained cupboards and nifty sliding doors. The hotel’s quiet side-street location virtually guarantees a good night’s sleep, and for a quintessential view across the Parisian rooftops, request a room on the top floor.
Classic Rooms are best employed for short stays, due to their diminutive dimensions. During our visit we found ourselves in a Superior Room - a genuinely cosseting retreat (particularly after a long day on foot). The Superior Terrace rooms offer the same space inside as well as a small patio with a table and chairs. This is a rarity in Paris and would be our top choice. For optimum comfort, book a Deluxe Room; you’ll get the most square footage and pleasant street views.
Though the hotel isn't particularly kid-friendly, Family Rooms are offered, formed of two adjoining suites. This would be a great option for friends or two couples travelling together, who want a shared space as well as privacy.
Top-quality features include a minibar, satellite TV, super-soft bathrobes, slippers and luxury toiletries in the ensuites. The bathrooms vary between rooms and categories; some have showers only, others bathtubs only, and a few have both. If you have a preference, make sure to check if a category has one or the other, or request when booking.
Features include:
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Breakfast is continental and room service is available. You have a choice of three distinctive rooms: the petit bistrot has cute tables for two, the bibliothèque sports a velvet daybed, daily newspapers and a range of art books, and the salon home cinema surprises you with videos of artists at work.
This is not the cheapest breakfast around, but it's beautifully presented and high-quality. Think freshly pressed juice, warm breads and pastries from the local bakery, homemade jams, eggs, smoked salmon and cheeses, all washed down with Palais des Thés teas and Parisian coffee. From 2pm-7pm the honesty bar is open with a range of hot and cold drinks and a selection of treats from a local bakery.
Montparnasse is no place for dieters with a plethora of good restaurants. The reception team has a list of excellent recommendations (all within a five-minute walk) and are happy to book tables on your behalf. For bustling Art Deco surroundings try La Rotonde, while Wadja, just across the road from the hotel, serves delicious French fare for a reasonable price. Or head to La Palette, a trendy bar and restaurant where cool Parisians brunch.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
Activities
- Amble through the Jardin du Luxembourg for an afternoon of Parisian-style contemplation or wander through the Cimetière de Montparnasse (celebrated ‘inhabitants’ include poet Baudelaire, playwright Samuel Beckett, and lovers Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre)
- Explore the popular Fondation Cartier, a contemporary art gallery founded by Cartier. A woodland floor with trees adorns the interior while the exterior is transparent glass, designed by architect Jean Nouvel. The hotel is also happy to arrange visits to local artists’ studios
- Avoid the crowds of the Eiffel Tower and, instead, take a trip up the Tour Montparnasse to get a 360-degree view of Paris
- For shopping, head towards lèche-vitrine at Bon Marché (possibly the best department store in Paris) and replenish at St Germain des Pré with a leisurely café lunch. Alternatively, the hotel can arrange for a personal shopper
- Relax with a massage or practice yoga in the hotel's wellness room. If you golf, the hotel organises golf days, which include a round with a professional
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Art classes
- Boat trips
- Cooking classes
- Cycling
- Golf
- Historical sites
- Language courses
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
- Well being
- Yoga
Kids
Children are welcome, but this is a grown-up hotel better suited to adults.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years)
Family friendly accommodation:
A family of four can book a Family Room comprising two adjoining rooms. A baby cot can be provided in any room at no extra charge, but we'd recommend opting for a Superior Room for the extra space. It is not possible to add an extra bed for children.
Cots Available
Baby equipment:
Baby cots are available on request.
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Hotel des Academies et des Arts is situated in Montparnasse, in the south of Paris. It's near Metro stop Vavin and the RER (line B) is five minutes away at Port Royal.
By Air
Fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle (15km) or Paris Orly. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.
From the Airport
Both airports are well connected to the hotel via the RER (line B). From Port Royal, the hotel is a five-minute walk away. Alternatively you could take a taxi (journey time depends on traffic).
By Train
Eurostar takes just 2 hours 15 mins from London Pancras to Paris Gare de Nord. From there, it's an easy 20-minute metro ride to Vavin.
By Car
Although the hotel has an agreement with the public car park opposite, we really don’t advise driving - it’s expensive to park, and you just don’t need a car in Paris. If you do want to hire one though,see our car rental recommendations.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Paris and getting around
Airports:
- Charles de Gaulle 15.0 km CDG
- Orly 0.0 km ORY
Other:
- Beach 150.0 km
- Shops 0.2 km
- Restaurant 0.2 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 2 independent reviews from i-escape guests