Hotel Parc Saint Severin - Paris, France     

Yes, the elevator is barely larger than a coffin. Yes, the rooms are minuscule (but cozy) and actual stand-up showers would've been nice. But the employees, from the cute guy working the day shift at the front desk to the grandmotherly lady who greets you in the morning and offers you breakfast to the nebbishy graveyard-shifter who lets in the late-night stragglers, were all sweet and helpful, making up for my pathetic French with their much-better Spanish and English. But its location is what makes the hotel a slam-dunk. It's just a few blocks from the Seine, which makes orientation easier, and within walking distance of most of Paris' must-sees. The surrounding streets teem with funky little shops, bars, parks and (of course) diet-busting restaurants, cafés and bakeries. The hotel's location allowed us to eat like pigs and come home thinner than when we left, because we walked everywhere. If you're on a budget, check it out. I would definitely return.

I Was tempted to write a bad review of this hotel. I like to keep things I really like to myself, but the staff and hotel are so exceptional that truth must be told. Corrine, the manager, Beatrice, Carolina and Lorrie-Emanuella posess a level of hospitality, intelligence, charm, and technical skills that I have not encountered in all my travels.They have made this complex beautiful city both warm and accessable.I usually don't pay much attention to hotel staff but these women are exceptional. They are for real. I've stayed in several of the rooms that I would categorize from tastefully charming to spectacular. (I can see the Eifel tower, Notre Dame, and the Pantheon as I write this) A couple of friends from the states came to visit yesterday and regretted the apartment they had rented. Every great Paris sight is within walking distance and is safe day and night. I've walked several miles in every directionand have not seen a dicey neighborhood. If you want transportation there must be 15 different bus and metro lines that stop within a block of the hotel. (inexpensive train from the airport as well I can't say enough about how much I like the Parc St. Severin. I came here for the first time in April, came back in May then again in august. It is now October and I must, with some sadness, return to the states. If there is the least bit of romance in your heart you'll find it here at the Parc St. Severin. I could live here. Thanks for a wonderful experience. I'll be back. JOHN P.S. I'M NO PHOTOGRAPHER. THE PICS DON'T DO THE PARC ST. SEVERIN JUSTICE