Montmartre’s arty reputation stems from the time when Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec et al made it their home. These days the art has become a bit phoney but there’s no doubt that the steep streets leading up to the Sacré Coeur and the Place du Tertre at the top of the Butte have a unique appeal - more so than the adult entertainment hot-spot of Pigalle which lies in the opposite direction.
Between these two contrasting districts, the Relais Montmartre enjoys a quiet, side-street location that is both safe and welcoming. The only disadvantage, compared to more central locations, is that the walk to the major points of interest is long and not particularly interesting. (Two nearby metro stations offer handy alternatives.)
Relais Montmartre is a pretty, intimate hotel that has been renovated with great care and attention to detail. So the sound-proofing between rooms is effective and the bedding is top-notch. The pristine bedrooms and bathrooms have pictures and colour schemes which are more adventurous than the usual boutique-hotel uniform but they still work in harmony to create an engaging, restful mood. Accommodations are on the small side in keeping with the price but there’s plenty of room in the two attractive, vaulted cellars for breakfast (choose between classique or vitalité).
This is a good place to stay if, and probably only if, you cherish the vibrant ‘village’ ambience of Montmartre.