Le Relais Saint-Germain
9 Carrefour de l'Odéon, Paris, 75006, France
Why We Like It
This is a special place by any standard, especially for a romantic getaway weekend, when you want everything to be just right, including the food and wine.
Fodor's Expert Review
An ineffable Parisian romance pervades this poetic 17th-century lodging decorated with period artworks, antiques and beamed ceilings, all of which give it more the air of a country manor than a hotel. Charming rooms are named for the famous Parisian writers who plied their trade in the this storied neighborhood between Saint-Germain and the Latin Quarter. What's more, guests get carte blanche to dine in the gastronomic restaurant, a near impossible feat for the average Parisian.
You Should Know The elevator is minuscule, but your bags are tended to by the concierge, so you won't have to cram in both yourself and your suitcase.
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Room
Each room is charming in its own way, though those away from the street are a bit darker, with cozy sitting areas decorated in rich earthy colors and designer wallpapers and fabrics. Expect comfy easy chairs and sofas, tasteful artworks, and all the touches that make your stay feel special.
Tip Several of the rooms have furnished private balconies with views overlooking the picturesque Carrefour de l'Odéon, a central square in Saint-Germain.
Bathroom
Spacious marble baths, equipped with tubs and handheld showers, have a traditional feel but offer all the contemporary comforts, including robes and slippers and luxe bath products by Paris spa queen Anne Semonin.
You Should Know Some of the baths are open to the room, without so much as a shower curtain for privacy. If you are not a couple, this may prove awkward, so be sure to inquire when booking.
Lobby
There is a small seating area at the reception but no formal lobby.
Spa
There is no spa, but a small menu of beauty treatments and massages can be booked at the front desk and performed in your room.
Dining
As you would expect from a hotel owned by chef Yves Camdeborde, credited as the founder of Paris's bistronomy movement, dining here is exceptional. An excellent continental breakfast, including croissant, cheese and charcuterie (from Avant Comptoir next door), fresh fruit and juices, and good coffee, is served in the vaulted cellar or in your room. Lunch at Le Comptoir is a bustling, uneven, but often wonderful experience, and we advise you get there before noon to join the lineup for a table outside or in the small dining room. Hotel guests get first dibs on dinner reservations, nothing to sneeze at, as this is when Camdeborde cooks more gourmet fare, and it's usually wonderful.
Drinking
The hotel has no bar, but can enjoy a bottle of wine from the restaurant wine list in your room, or a glass at Avant Comptoir, standing only. Thankfully, there are plenty of nearby cocktail and wine bars to choose from.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
One minute from the Odéon metro station, and a 7-minute walk to Luxembourg RER station, a direct link to both airports.
The hotel is set on a picturesque square minutes from two historic churches—L'Église de Saint-Germain-des-Prés one of Paris's oldest churches, and Saint-Sulpice with it lovely fountain—just off the bustling Boulevard Saint-Germain. In other words, you're in the heart of Left Bank life, buzzing with sophisticated boutiques, cafés, and restaurants, and close to many not-to-miss sites. You're also only a few minutes walk to the Luxembourg gardens and museum, and a 10-15-minute walk to Notre Dame and the Louvre. The flâneurs among us will never tire of the discoveries to be made on foot.
Restaurants
Fish (La Boisonnerie), across the street, is a favorite expat spot for a well-crafted menu of bistro dishes and good wines. For a budget meal, Little Breizh, a branch of Paris's most famous sit-down crêperie, is a few minutes away on a charming backstreet (11 Rue Grégoire de Tours).
Bars
A few minutes from the hotel, Freddy's wine bar, serves up meticulously sourced natural wines and delicious small tapas plates for snacking, or you could try the more upscale La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels for another great selection of wines by the glass. For cocktails, Tiger is a stylish place to sip a craft cocktail or the famous Prescription Cocktail Club, both within a 5-10-minute walk of the hotel.
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