Vintage Paris Gare du Nord

The room was on the small side, but comfortable enough. Reception staff were friendly and happy to keep our luggage for us. Gare du Nord is about a ten-minute walk away, which made the location really handy.

The thin walls were the biggest problem. We could hear the neighbours talking, so I'd choose somewhere else if you're a light sleeper. Also, the lift stops partway up the stairs, which makes the place difficult to access. Staff were all nice, and the location is convenient, with lots of nearby restaurants and cafes and a metro station close by. Our room was small; the washroom looked dated, though it was clean enough.

We left after just one night. The place felt basic when we arrived, but we accepted that as the tradeoff for being near the station. The room was worn, and the bathroom was so tiny that we had to leave the shower door open to use the toilet. Noise was the real deal-breaker. The walls and floors are paper thin. We heard footsteps, people plugging things in, the toilet seat and flush, and ordinary conversations from the rooms beside and above us. Booking sites call it soundproofed, which wasn't remotely true. The lift only fits one person with luggage, sits up a flight of stairs, and you have to climb more stairs from it to reach your floor. It was basically useless. The place is listed as a hotel but is run by HipHostels, and felt more like a hostel. Unless you're under 30 and only need a cheap bed and shower after clubbing, I'd look elsewhere or spend more. We paid another £150 for a night at a different hotel ten minutes away.

Really liked this place. The room wasn't large, but it was very comfortable. The area felt safe and had plenty of shops. Service was perfect, and there was a free coffee machine and a gym. Highly recommend 🙌🏻