For business travelers, hotel convenience and quality of life choices often don’t mesh. Often, we choose one or the other; convenience for the purpose of the trip, or location based on opportunity to explore the destination. The Hotel Britannique is a hotel that serves both, yet more of the latter. Whereas it isn’t close to the commercial-business heart of Paris, the location still suits business travelers due to numerous convenient Metro stations in close proximity to the hotel, and easy access to the most popular attractions that define Paris.

Business travel, whether you love it or hate it, forces you to see the world around you. Sometimes, you get to visit places that people only dream of visiting. Case in point: Paris, France. People save their entire lives to take a trip there with expectations that may or may not be met. It is a city of culture and beauty, and let’s face it, great wine and food. Hotel Britannique is in the center of it all.

Located at 20 Avenue Victoria, this beautiful boutique hotel is one block off the sidewalks lining the Seine. This location allows the business traveler to enjoy everything Paris has to offer. A view of the Eiffel Tower, and easy routes to follow to the commercial business district, La Defense, if in fact that is where you business requires you to commute. Situated one block off the Rue de Rivoli, and 3 blocks from the Louvre, there are at least three Metro stations within walking distance from the Hotel Britannique: Châtalet, Hôtel de Ville, and Louvre Rivoli. The commute to La Defense can be anywhere from 30 – 45 minutes, depending on schedules and express trains.

As any widely traveled city, all accommodations in Paris fluctuate with the season, with the high season being during the warmer summer holiday months when most like to visit. However, the Britannique is quite affordable considering the service provided, the accommodations, and the location. During the high season, it is not unusual to pay 190 euros for a standard double and up to 400 euros in the high season, but these prices include a wonderful breakfast. During the low season rooms range from 160 - 325 euros. These prices are spectacular for a small private hotel within walking distance to the Ile de Citie, the Louvre, Musee D’Orsay, and the government complexes of Paris.

Each room has heating, air conditioning, a minibar, bathtub and/or shower, hairdryer, a flatscreen t.v., free WiFi, and a safe. The rooms are warm and cozy. Of course, as with many accommodations in Europe, rooms tend to be smaller than those in the United States. So if your budget requires the basic standard room, be prepared to be cozier than you might be accustomed to.

The staff at the Hotel Britannique is extremely accommodating and speaks both French and English. During my stay, I arrived extremely late in the evening after a 7 hour delay and an oncoming bout of bronchitis. Despite my likely moody disposition, I was greeted with a smile. During my stay, the staff was further accommodating as I suffered through the stay with a full blown illness. Such friendly and helpful service is priceless on the road far from home.

The Hotel Britannique is a gem amongst the Parisienne options for accommodations. It is a refreshing option to the predictable chain hotels and having been in operation since 1861, offers a bit of history too. It is highly recommended.