With Paris experiencing a heatwave, I knew I wanted a hotel with reliable air conditioning. Hotel Lautrec checked that box, but was it worth it staying there? Here’s my honest review.
First Impressions
Pulling up to Hotel Lautrec by taxi, the first thing I noticed was how quiet the street was. Unlike some of the busier parts of Paris, this area felt calm and residential. There were two restaurants on the corner, but otherwise the neighborhood was peaceful and surprisingly clean. It immediately felt like a place where I’d be able to relax after long days exploring the city.
I arrived around 12:30 p.m., fully expecting to leave my luggage and come back later since check-in is usually in the afternoon. Instead, the receptionist greeted me with a warm bonjour and immediately checked me into my room without me even asking. After a nine-hour overnight flight with very little sleep, that small gesture made a huge first impression.
The lobby itself is compact but bright, with large windows that let in plenty of natural light. It felt welcoming and well cared for from the moment I walked in.
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The Room
Like many older hotels in Europe, the elevator is tiny. It comfortably fit me, my checked suitcase, my carry-on, and not much else—but I was just grateful not to be hauling luggage up five flights of stairs.
My room was on the fifth floor, which turned out to be one of my favorite parts of the stay. Opening the window revealed the classic Paris rooftops and balconies of the surrounding buildings. Because so many streets in Paris are narrow and lined with tall buildings, being higher up made the room feel brighter and more open.
The room itself isn’t large, but that’s fairly typical for Paris. I was traveling alone and had plenty of space after organizing my luggage. Two people could certainly make it work, but I wouldn’t recommend this room for more than that.
The instant I opened my door I was hit with that sweet cool atmosphere.
Ice-cold air conditioning. Just like I keep it in my own home.
Honestly, it was glorious.
This was one of the main reasons I booked Hotel Lautrec, and it absolutely delivered. After spending the day exploring in the summer heat, returning to a cool room every evening made a bigger difference than I ever expected.
The bed was on the firmer side, which I actually prefer, and I found both the pillows and linens exceptionally comfortable. There was also a small desk, chair, wall-mounted television, and wardrobe with enough storage for my belongings.
The bathroom was compact but very clean. While the shower wasn’t large, the water pressure was excellent and there was always plenty of hot water.
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Location
One of the biggest reasons I chose Hotel Lautrec was its location.
It’s within walking distance of Galeries Lafayette, which was perfect because shopping was high on my priority list. I didn’t want to spend the day carrying shopping bags across Paris or taking crowded public transportation afterward. Being able to walk back to the hotel quickly gave me extra peace of mind.
Palais Garnier is also nearby, and while I didn’t make it there on this trip, it’s certainly within easy reach.
The Louvre is roughly a 20-minute walk away, although I often chose to use Bolt taxis when visiting attractions farther away. If you’re someone who enjoys walking everywhere or relying exclusively on public transportation, you may prefer staying in a more tourist-heavy neighborhood. Personally, I enjoyed coming back each evening to a quieter part of the city.
Ironically, I actually felt safer on the hotel’s quiet residential street than I did in some of the busier tourist areas where I had dinner.
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Final Thoughts
At around €190 per night for a single room when booked separately, I felt Hotel Lautrec offered good value for the money.
The staff were warm and welcoming, their English was excellent, the neighborhood felt safe, and the air conditioning worked flawlessly.
Would I stay here again?
Absolutely.
In fact, if you asked me whether I’d rather have an Eiffel Tower view or an ice-cold room after walking miles through Paris during a summer heat wave… I’d choose the air conditioning every single time. 😂
One final note: the hotel also offers breakfast for an additional charge. I chose to skip it because I preferred heading out early each morning to find a neighborhood café where I could enjoy a fresh croissant and coffee instead.
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Simple, comfortable, and well located-this hotel checked the boxes that mattered most for my trip.
Forward Always,
Shannon
As creator of Forward & Fernweh I dreamed of seeing more of the world. I kept finding reasons to wait. This blog is where I share my honest travel experiences, practical tips, and the moments that gave me the confidence to keep exploring.
