HOTEL DUO Paris

Nothing completely new ever really opens in the center of Paris — but Hotel Duo is about as close as it gets. This 16th-century building was given a makeover at the hand of architect and interior designer Jean-Philippe Nuel — and now the style-conscious traveler (aren’t we all) has another spot in the Marais to call home.

The style is nothing too outré — in Paris even the most modern hotels have more than a tinge of the classic to them. Above all the look is contemporary, elegant and tightly composed, with plenty of the building’s classic architectural character showing through, combined with a contemporary approach to the interior design, a dark, minimalist color palette, and rooms that are functionally quite up to date.

Downstairs there’s a smart little cocktail bar, and a cozy lounge where breakfast is served, and the contemporary additions include a sauna and a fitness room. As for the location, it’s hard to find fault — don’t tell the fashionistas, but this place is perfectly placed for tourists as well, with easy access to the Louvre, the Centre Pompidou, and the best of walking Paris.