Ibis Styles Paris Batignolles

Breakfast was a real highlight, with lots of choice and good quality, and the receptionists were attentive. The room was comfortable and very clean too. The bathroom, though, needs work: there’s no proper ventilation or door lock, and no towel rail or place to put shampoo and soap in the shower. A mini-fridge and bigger closets would also make the room better equipped.

Brochant metro is just down the street, and the neighborhood has plenty going on. My room was clean and fine, and I slept really well. Breakfast had a great selection, though the room gets crowded, so going early helps.

There are plenty of restaurants and grocery stores nearby, including places that stay open late, and the hotel is less than five minutes from Metro line 13. It’s also about 20 minutes by bus from Gare du Nord. My room was more than enough for what I needed, and the toilets were spotless. They charged me twice by mistake, but Houssam, who was the receptionist throughout my stay, was friendly and attentive and helped get the payment issue sorted out. He made us feel very welcome.

The reception staff I spoke with were all really friendly. It’s a short walk to the metro, and Place de Clichy is nearby, which is handy for getting around Paris. Ask for a room at the back if you want somewhere quieter, away from the busy street. My room was very basic: a bed, a TV that hardly worked because of server problems, a small bathroom with reliable hot water, a table, chair, and a little open space to hang things. Wi-Fi was okay for a call, though not fast. The only amenities were shower gel and towels. Breakfast was limited but enough to get the day started. Cleaning was the main problem. I spotted a cobweb in the lamp as soon as I arrived. I left the card on the bed four times during my five-night stay to ask for fresh sheets, but they never changed them. The decorative pillow smelled as if it hadn’t been changed in a long time. I asked them to clean or replace it, but they didn’t. If all you need is a cheap place to sleep and shower, it could work. For more than that, I’d look elsewhere.