Last year I was in Paris for Fashion Week right at the beginning of July. Which is about the most expensive time of the year in terms of hotels and accommodations. Not only is selection sparse, but prices skyrocket, meaning it’s about near impossible to find anything worthwhile.

I hopped onto Booking.com and was lucky enough to score a week at Hotel Mayfair, located right between Place Concorde and Place Vendôme. It was just me, so I was able to grab the single room in the hotel — as far as I know there’s only one, but it’s spectacular.

The Hotel Mayfair is the perfectly Parisian hotel — it’s exactly what I think of when I imagine a hotel in Paris, from the charming lobby with poised Parisian desk lady, to the paneled dining room and lounge/bar. It has a19th century Haussmann style hotel facade with an early 20th century Art-Deco canopy over the door — the perfect blend of Parisian style.

It’s a very small hotel, just 47 rooms, which means there is a calm serenity to the entire space. A demure spiral staircase is at the center of the structure, surrounding a very small, very European elevator.

My room was probably one of the best surprises I’ve had while traveling. It was small, but beautifully appointed, and was actually more than enough space for a single traveler. You enter into a foyer of sorts, which leads to the bathroom (a spacious affair with a large soaking tub) and onwards to the room. A single bed is against the wall on the left, and then, straight ahead, is the balcony. Yes, the balcony.

But not just any balcony — this one has views of the Tuileries gardens. Simply magical.

The hotel is located in the perfect spot for seeing the sites of Paris. You’re walking distance to a variety of icons, and the metro is nearby and super efficient. My only complaint is the lack of a restaurant in the hotel — breakfast was overpriced, and room service was actually from the restaurant next door, which sounds fabulous, but just means it was overpriced. Put your pants on and venture out to one of the amazing restaurants nearby, my vote goes to Le Fumoir, just down the street.