Chouchou

In common usage, “chouchou” is a French term of endearment — but in the Parisian hospitality world it’s the name of a charming little boutique hotel right by the Palais Garnier. It’s chic and colorful, with a surplus of personality, and its diminutive name suits it — in contrast with the self-seriousness of the grand palace hotels, this is a fun and stylish hotel, but also an affordable and accessible one.

Its rooms are smallish, naturally, the realities of Parisian real estate being what they are. But they’re chic and lively, with parquet floors and vibrant color work, and they’re full of thoughtful comforts as well as little flourishes of local character — some of them, in fact, come with views of the opera house itself.

It would be too much to expect a full-scale spa from the Chouchou, but its three private baths offer a couples’ mini-spa experience. And the hotel, unusually for its size, features some pretty substantial public spaces, including a market-style food hall with counter service and communal seating, as well as a live performace space and the lively zinc-topped Bar Guingette. They don’t make boutique hotels much more perfectly Parisian than this.