Hôtel Clarisse

Paris’s 15th arrondissement is underrepresented on Tablet’s map of Paris, but Hôtel Clarisse will change that. In fact a little bit of physical distance from the ordinary tourist haunts means a little bit of a thematic departure from the archetypal Parisian experience — and a location in a less expensive corner of town makes for truly affordable nightly rates. The design leans heavily on industrial and salvaged materials, and the public spaces are more British in aspect than typically Parisian.

One thing that is absolutely typically Parisian — Clarisse’s rooms are cozy, though their uncluttered design means they don’t feel cramped, and the triple and quadruple rooms quite comfortably sleep three and four, respectively. This is meant to be a pied-à-terre, not a second home, and the time you do spend in the rooms will be easy on the eyes; a recent renovation leaves them looking stylish and utterly modern, in a color scheme of navy and white with mosaic-tiled bathrooms.

As for the location, it’s in an unexpectedly green setting, adjacent to the Parc Georges-Brassens and the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Centre — while a metro stop of the same name connects you to the rest of the city within minutes.