The Hotel Wallace is one of seven charming and affordable boutique hotels run under the umbrella of the Orso brand in Paris. The Wallace’s 45 rooms are decorated in a ‘rétro-chic Italienne’ style that nods back to the 1970s Italian Riviera and the rooms range from cosy singles to spacious junior suites with views of the Eiffel Tower, which we tried on our stay and found extremely comfortable. They also offer a two-roomed suite designed for parents travelling with children. The ambiance is fashionable but relaxing, and it has a homely air. Within seconds of a quick welcoming encounter with the friendly staff on reception, you’re in the property’s typically cosy Parisian lift and being whipped upstairs to one of its small, quiet room floors.
A handful of simple details elevate the experience of a stay here
The Wallace is a great base for exploring the city and a welcome place to return home after a busy day exploring Paris. It has a hot tub on the roof, plus a small gym if you’re looking to work off any excess cheese, and it also has two bar spaces, one on the roof for the warmer months and another in a basement courtyard space where they also serve a continental-style (unsurprisingly) breakfast. The recently-launched Tuco Bar concept serves cocktails and aperitif bites (hummus, mozzarella, hams) every evening from Tuesday to Saturday, moving between the indoor and outdoor space depending on the season (and weather). The hotel is not a culinary destination (you can’t get a full dinner here), but this is Paris, so you’re never far from an excellent place to eat.
A handful of simple details elevate the experience of a stay here, from the hotel’s own-brand toiletries (‘Soins Colomba’) to thoughtful design touches that influence everything from the pencils in the room to the plug pockets. It’s a hotel that cares about design without letting it get in the way of what it does best: offer a high-level of peace and comfort in the middle of a busy city.
Neighbourhood
Hotel Wallace is in the Quinzieme (15th) arrondissement (neighbourhood), meaning it’s slightly away from the absolute centre of Paris, and the immediate neighbourhood is fairly quiet and easy. It’s less than half an hour, though, to walk to many big attractions, like the Eiffel Tower, and the area is served by many Métro and bus stops, so you’re unlikely to spend more than 25 minutes getting anywhere central on public transport either.
Nearby
Musée Rodin is 25 minutes’ walk from the hotel and highly recommended as one of the lesser-visited of the city’s major cultural attractions.
Napoleon’s Tomb can be found at the Hôtel des Invalides, a complex of military museums and monuments, also 25 minutes’ walk away.
Le Royal Cambronne is a classic Parisian brasserie with a good outdoor terrace – perfect for a quick coffee, glass of wine or a meal before or after getting on the train at Métro Cambronne across the street.
Time Out Tip
Métro Cambronne is a few minutes’ walk away from the hotel, and from here you can get on Métro line six, which runs along a viaduct for a good chunk of its length, affording great views of the city and especially of the Eiffel Tower as you travel between Passy and Bir-Hakeim Métro stations.