Hotel Brady – Gare de l’Est

The noise came from all directions: the side alley, the stairs, and the swinging hallway doors. It seemed like four buildings had been converted into one. If you're a light sleeper, don't stay here. Our rooms were tiny, though that seems normal in Paris, and cleaning was only average, with thick dust under the bed. Housekeeping came in repeatedly without knocking. They moved us because of the noise and said they'd keep us away from the metal stairs, but there were other stairs right by the window that were used constantly. When we complained, they said they hadn't thought anyone used them. The location is pretty good, with easy access to transport, though it didn't feel like the safest area. Staff were fairly friendly. I raised all this privately, sent the details by email as requested, and followed up, but never got a response. Overall, I wouldn't recommend it.

The room was small, which is normal for Paris, and clean. The service was very good, but there was no ventilation in the washroom and the AC didn't work. The neighborhood felt a bit sketchy, especially nearer the train station, so I'd probably look elsewhere if I visit Paris again.

We found an ant nest in the room, and the dustbins were kept in the area outside our door. The shower doors leaked, leaving puddles on the bathroom floor. The room looked nothing like the advertisement. It felt like an oversized broom cupboard, and at check-in we were told it had plenty of shade. That turned out to mean there were no windows. Being next to the breakfast room meant people coming down for breakfast woke us at 7am. The USB socket by the bed was damaged, so we had to charge our phones across the room using a UK three-pin plug with USB ports attached to a European adapter. The heating was forced air, but only adjustable from 18-24°C, so it was basically an air conditioner with a temperature setting.

It's a little way from central Paris, but getting into the heart of the city was easy, with two metro stations just a short walk away. We were able to leave our bags in free storage in the morning, even though check-in doesn't start until 3 PM, which was a big plus. The hotel was spotless and lovely, and our room was quiet and comfortable with a very cozy bed. Breakfast was simple but high quality, with sweet and savory international options. The staff were extremely polite and helpful, and made us feel welcome. I'd happily stay here again if I return to Paris.