Hôtel André Gill

The room was clean and breakfast was provided. There's a good restaurant on the corner of the hotel street, and being inside Paris meant metro tickets were in zones 1 and 2, the cheapest ones. For the price we paid, it was okay.

We were stressed and still on a budget after finding bed bugs shortly after checking into the first hotel we'd booked. With no place to stay, we went looking for a cafe with internet and happened to pass this hotel on a quaint alley. Marceal, one of the employees, was amazing. Once we explained what had happened, he took us to a room and let us check the bed and bedding ourselves. The room was adorable, very clean, and had a cute balcony overlooking the alley. The bathroom was quite large too. The owners were sweet and charming and did everything they could to make our stay good. They even gave my friend a pack of cigarettes after the nearby shops had closed. The location can't be beat, with fewer tourists than other areas and great restaurants, cafes, and bars around. This is DEF where I'll stay on every Paris trip!

For a two-star budget hotel, it did the job, and I'd absolutely stay again. The staff were friendly and helpful around the clock, the room was clean, the bed was very comfortable, and the shower had plenty of hot water. It's tucked into a quiet cul-de-sac, about 15 minutes on foot from Gare Du Nord, ten minutes from Sacre Cour and the heart of Monmartre, and five minutes from Abbesses and Pigalle metro stations. The building could really use some TLC, and breakfast was standard and not very inspiring. Still, the location is fantastic.

For about 70 Euros a night in Paris, this felt like a bargain, and the hotel was clean and decently maintained for what is probably a building hundreds of years old. Staff are there 24 hours, which was a relief after we had trouble at another hotel on this trip because we arrived late. The area is busy, one block from the Metro, near the Sacre-Coeur basilica, around 8 minutes from the Moulin Rouge cabaret, and surrounded by restaurants and shops. I'd suggest paying about 100 Euros a night if you want a somewhat better stay. There were plenty of shortcomings. With no air conditioning, a heat wave meant opening the windows, but street conversations from the nearby bars and restaurants carried on late, even on a weeknight. The sink leaked if turned more than halfway, the shower hose kept slipping out of place, and the beds were much too narrow. I'm 163cm (5'4"), and the room had no wardrobe or drawers, so my roommate couldn't unpack; there was no in-room safe either. The old building also has a tiny elevator. The sign says it holds three people and up to 225 kg (490 lbs), but if three people fit, they certainly wouldn't weigh that much, maybe 75 kg each. Getting out through the hallway and doors that need pulling takes some logistical planning. Breakfast was okay for 5 Euros per person, but limited to a croisant, some bread, juice, and coffee. I want to be clear: this isn't a great hotel. I'd rate it three stars, but you do get more than you pay for.