Le Colbert
France: Ile De France: Paris
JDB's only Left Bank hotel has a wonderful location just across the Seine from Notre Dame Cathedral and very close to the Boulevard St. Germain, the heart of the Latin Quarter (5th Arrondissement). From the moment one enters this 19th century mansion, one is struck by the warmth of the welcome as well as the cozy feeling of the reception rooms. There are fresh flowers and, during cooler months, a fireplace to enjoy while having a drink from the unobtrusive bar. There are many antique furnishings, and bountiful breakfast is served in the hotel's magnificent vaulted cellar. Guest rooms are not huge and presently the predominant color is blue. Rooms are scheduled to be "refreshed" during the winter of 2008. Each one has a marble bathroom and all modern amenities including satellite television, in-room internet connection, and mini bar. Guests can even choose the pillow they prefer from the hotel's pillow menu offering eight different types of pillow! In addition to the double rooms, there are two suites suitable for JDB and one duplex that JDB does not recommend for this reason: there is a small spiral staircase going from the bedroom to the lower level (like a basement) where the sitting room is located.The staff is friendly and willing to answer questions, make arrangements, and assist with restaurant decisions and such. Speaking of restaurants, worth a visit are La Maison around the corner owned by the entertaining Claude, who with his ever-present bulldog Polo, serves outside in warm weather and inside the cozy restaurant in winter. Across the street from the hotel, an excellent restaurant called Toustem opened in the summer of 2007. It is owned by the only female French chef to have earned two Michelin stars (although she does not work in this restaurant).

NOTE: Closest metro stop is St. Michel/Notre Dame. Occupancy tax of € 1.00 (subject to change) per person per day.