Hotel Joyce is part of a boutique hotel chain in Paris called Astotel and is located in the Opera district of Paris. It is gloriously centrally located a very short walk north of the Grande Boulevard and Galeries Lafayette. Set back from the bustle, this hotel lies on a back street between here and Place de Pigalle. It is an excellent boutique hotel offering all you could ask for in Paris.

The frontage is tidy, modern, white and seemingly functional. It belies the treasures found within, as this place is unique, quirky and different. Upon entry to the reception area you are greeted by a wall of clocks from different time zones: Paris, London, New York... and the moon (I can't vouch for the accuracy of the latter). This is a signal of things to come. The panelling of the desk compromises many miniature Eiffel Towers top to tail forming a geometric pattern. Beyond is a small seating area with illuminated globes for lighting and conventionally comfortable but unconventionally colourful sofas. At the end of the entrance is the dining area equip with fabulously eclectic seating. Along one side lies small upholstered chairs befitting many a hotel lobby, on the other, disused leather car seats. This is housed in a fabulously converted courtyard now a beautiful mirrored conservatory, in the middle of which hangs an enormous, suspended model of a cloud.

This may paint a portrait of a bizarre place, and largely it is, but one that is wonderfully eccentric in the ways you would hope, and not in those you would like to be conventional.

The staff are multi-lingual and extremely friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. They were only too happy to provide recommendations of where to eat, help with reservations, taxi bookings, etc... with great efficiency.

The rooms themselves are equally unique and charming if perhaps on the smaller side... but not prohibitively small. Beds were very comfortable and the décor unique and individual but not gaudy and tasteless. Bathrooms were of an excellent size with both bath and shower and again with great attention to detail. The usual amenities are provided such as safe, hair dryer, flat screen TV, etc... The only thing amiss was a mini bar but this can be forgiven.

One of the nicest touches here is the bar area. This is free for all guests to use and offers soft drinks and small snacks at all hours. Need some water to take to your room? It's available and at no extra cost. They do sell alcohol too if you would like to have a stronger tipple.

The location is ideal. It is 5 minutes walk from a metro station and a further 10 minutes to the Grande Boulevards. We even walked to the Louvre, which was about 20 minutes at a brisk pace. The area itself is quite suburban and quiet. There are a few heavily overpriced restaurants locally but probably best to look elsewhere for dining as none were exceptional. As everything is such a short distance away this isn't really a problem.

Given this is Paris and in an excellent location, the price of a double room per night was a reasonable EU130 if booked in advance from the hotels website. This also includes a continental breakfast consisting of the usual fruit, a few pastries, bread with cold meats and breakfast cereals. It wasn't spectacular but good enough and served until a reasonable 10.30. Check in time is a standard 2pm but nicely checkout is midday so you can have a lie-in and leisurely pack after breakfast.

In all, I can highly recommend this hotel for anyone looking for something a little smaller and boutique.