Victoria Palace Hôtel

The Victoria Palace is a lovely, elegant, four-star hotel whose special details, personalized service, and excellent value set it apart from its peers. Although the hotel has 62 rooms, the owner’s presence and caring touches are ever apparent. From the moment you enter from the small side street off the Rue de Rennes, Philippe Schmitt’s style of decor is very evident. He has a weakness for reds and heavy red damask covers the wall of the bar with its gold and green chairs, very reminiscent of the 19th-century look, and faux marble, which is a replica of the original. Throughout are handsome, commissioned copies of 17th-, 18th-, and 19th-century French and English paintings and drawings. The breakfast room is handsome with a series of botanical prints on the walls and floor-to-ceiling windows opening onto an inner courtyard. A lavish buffet is set out for breakfast. Guestrooms are classed as either deluxe rooms or junior suites. Junior suites have a little more space, with a sitting area incorporated into the layout of the room. Some of the rooms at the front of the house have bay window terraces while those at the back enjoy the quiet of the inner courtyard. There are also two very special, two-level duplexes, with an entry off each level, a sweeping stair connecting the living room with the bedroom, and intimate furnishings—almost like having your own pied-à-terre in Paris. Wonderfully located just a few block from Gare Montparnasse, the airline coach terminal and Saint Germain des Prés.