The Hôtel Costes is kind of a cliché, but it’s exactly what I want from Paris—it’s dark and moody, with beautifully designed, small rooms. (It has a small “Bijoux” room for one person that’s perfectly sized and won’t break the bank compared with neighboring hotels.) The hotel’s sceney courtyard is open 24 hours, and is a great place to have a croissant and espresso or a late-night cigarette, martini, and fries. And it’s conveniently located next to the Place Vendôme. —Michael Pescuma

Michael Pescuma is the Advertising Director at AIR MAIL