Hotel Floride Etoile

Situated in one of the most sought-after residential districts of the city, the 16th, between metro Victor Hugo (line 2) and Trocadéro (lines 6 and 9), both a five minute walk away, it is very easy to get around Paris. Here you are never far from a major Parisian monument - be it the Trocadero, the Eiffel Tower or the Arc de Triomphe and it is also a short walk away from the Champs Elysées. The area the hotel finds itself is very quiet and residential so if you are looking to step out of your hotel and stumble into Parisian nightlife action, this is not the place to be. The Garden Elysée is more suitable for a clientele that has already visited Paris and who feels comfortable in a quiet zone of the city. Other hotels of the same chain is the Garden Elysée (to the right of the Floride Etoile), Le A, parallel to the Champs Elysées and A la Villa des Artistes, in Montparnasse.

Although there is a small bar in the lobby at the entrance of the breakfast room, it remains closed most of the time, so clients wanting to have a drink have access to the Garden Elysée bar just next door. Floride Etoile clients also have access to the Garden Elysée television area (within reason). Most of the staff is trilingual with English as their second language. There is WIFI access but it is not free - cards are available at reception for either 6 or 10 Euros. There are a number of complimentary newspapers on offer such as the International Herald Tribune, the Financial Times, Le Figaro and El Pais. The staff is very friendly and lively here, creating a relaxed atmosphere. For families or wheelchair-bound guests, there are two large connecting rooms, available on the ground floor, which both have an agreeable view of the Garden Elysée Hotel's well planted entrance.

The lobby is very traditional, painted in pastel colours, with ca ream tiled floor, mirrored ceiling and; flowery cushions lay on cream leather couches are arranged into five sitting areas with low unobtrusive lighting, making it a pleasant place to sit and wait for a taxi or a friend. The hotel décor is very basic and tired throughout. It is however very clean and tidy. Overall, the hotel needs a good spruce up. Despite the worn décor, management has made an effort to keep the premises clean, neat and tidy. The hotel can strike as a little cold; a good thing the staff's good humour heats up the surroundings a little. The Floride Etoile is a good choice in low season as the rates are fairly reasonable, the staff is extremely helpful and it is fairly central, close to the hustle and bustle of the Champs Elysées.

The Floride Etoile has 63 rooms. Expect to pay 86 Euros (£74) for a standard room in low season or 175 Euros (£151) in high season. The rooms are smell fresh and woody and are very basic. The furniture can be a little tatty in certain rooms which are in need of a re-vamp. The bathrooms are very fresh, clean and spacious, and most have a window, letting in lots of natural light which is rare in hotel bathrooms. The products are all Aloe Vera based. All rooms have flat-screen televisions, hair dryer, telephone, safe, mini-bar and various television channels including BBC World and CNN, as well as Spanish, Italian, Russian and German channels. The heating cannot be adjusted from the individual rooms, although air conditioning in the summer can be. For families or wheelchair-bound guests, there are two large connecting rooms, available on the ground floor, which both have an agreeable view of the Garden Elysée Hotel's well planted entrance. These rooms have recently been renovated.The rest of the rooms either have a view of the Garden Elysée entrance or the street - do ask for a room away from the street as the bin collectors can be a little noisy in the mornings.

The hotel serves a buffet breakfast and is not equipped for lunch and dinner. The guest has the choice between a continental breakfast (10 Euros) and buffet (16 Euros). The buffet breakfast caters for most tastes. There is all sorts ? from the typically French Pain au chocolat and croissants to fresh fruit, juices (not freshly-squeezed), cereals, hams and cheeses, hard boiled eggs and a variety of breads. The 'viennoiseries', or pastries, are ordered from well-known French caterer, Le Nôtre. The breakfast is nicely organised and a big effort has been made to keep a tidy breakfast area, despite its slightly worn look, with fresh flowers on the tables and a view onto the Garden Elysée Hotel's entrance garden. Breakfast is served between 7am-10.30am. The hotel does not serve lunch or dinner, but light food such as soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts, as well as wine (about 15 Euros a bottle) are available to order via room service (from midday to 10pm daily). Each room has a menu, although it is not translated into English; reception staff will however be very happy to help you understand it, should you have any difficulties (prices range from 6 Euros to 20 Euros). Otherwise, be prepared to eat in the surrounding establishments which can be fairly dear.