Hotel de France

The room was small, basic, and clean, with a good shower. Staff were very friendly and helpful, and breakfast was basic but fine for the price, 3.50 euro. There’s no elevator, and the stairs are a little awkward, though that’s not unusual for a cheap Paris hotel. The location is fine, in a lively multicultural neighborhood with plenty of nearby bars and restaurants. There was some noise from other guests, but that’s also normal for this kind of place. The problem was the heat at night. The room was unbearably hot, with no airco or fan, and even with the window wide open it was hard to sleep. We’d only return in winter, though otherwise we’d have given it 3 or 4 stars.

The rooms are comfortable and well decorated, but getting to them is a real challenge with anything larger than a day pack or big handbag. There’s no elevator, and the uneven spiral staircase climbs six floors. It’s almost impossible to manage it with luggage without tripping, banging your shin on a step, or cursing the bag’s size. It’s a shame the place is so inaccessible.

The location is good and close to metro stations, and the staff are friendly. The building is very old, with small rooms and no lift. Its staircase is narrow and steep, and the corridor is always dark, with just one light bulb. Room cleanliness was okay, but not great.

My room wasn’t clean, and the bathroom door was missing. There was no aircon, so summer nights were bloody hot, and there were no nets to keep mosquitoes out. The place has no lift, yet they put me on the top floor, six floors up a narrow winding staircase. I tripped on the stairs and injured my knee.