Relais Saint Jacques

This elegant six-story hotel overlooks a lovely tree-lined street and is within easy walking distance of the Luxembourg Gardens and Palace. A number of the guestrooms also look across the rooftops of Paris to the spire of the Panthéon. Bedrooms are designated as either “privilege” (standard) or “prestige.” Room 301, Valençay, is a twin room decorated in soft yellows and blues with a lovely peek at the Panthéon. There are eleven “prestige” rooms—these are large and enjoy a greater expanse of window than the standard rooms. We were able to see Room 502, Le Clos Luce, with its handsome four-poster and the very pretty Room 302, Cande. Street-front rooms look out through the leafy foliage of the trees lining the street and enjoy views of the rooftops and glimpses of the Panthéon. Front, second and fifth floor rooms enjoy step-out balconies. Back rooms on the courtyard overlook the faux-painted inner wall and ensure a quiet night’s repose. Off the entry and reception area a small bar, furnished with red leather chairs and small tables intimately topped with individual lamps, is partitioned by a column to separate it from the red and taupe breakfast room. While guests can have a Continental breakfast in their bedrooms, a more lavish buffet is offered in the breakfast nook from 7 to 11. Also off the entry is an attractive sitting area that has the feel of a library with a full wall of shelves.