Hôtel Esmeralda

We had a comfortable room with a view of the Cathedral, and it was easy to walk along the river toward the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Élysées, the Louvre, and other places. Just around the corner is what we thought was the best creperie ever, a great spot for a meal while watching the lively, chaotic Paris traffic. The hotel felt incredibly authentic, with a beautiful interior and lots of original features. Right across from Notre Dame and next to the Shakespeare and Company bookstore, it made us feel transported to 17th-century Paris.

The staff were lovely, and I really liked the hotel’s character and its good location. My one big worry was the fire escape. I was on the top floor, where getting out meant lowering a lever to open a ladder onto the roof. If the wooden staircase caught fire and we needed that exit, I can imagine it being very hard to manage while panicking. It made me concerned about my family’s safety. Everything else about the hotel was great.

We only stayed for a short night. The location is wonderful, and the building has a lot of history. The owner was lovely and helpful. I’d seen some recent reviews mentioning bed bugs. We didn’t find any in our room, but it’s worth staying vigilant.

The old building’s age is obvious as soon as you step into reception, and there’s no lift, so you need to be up for the stairs. The staff were warm and helpful, spoke English, and Mr Francisco was a lovely host. Hotel Esmeralda is hard to beat for a stay in central Paris. It’s next to Notre dame, in the same building as the famous Shakespear& co, two minutes from the metro, and surrounded by restaurant choices. Most places are within walking distance. I had a good experience overall.