France
Just a block from the Grands Boulevards, Hotel Aston is in an elegant part of the 9th arrondissement of Paris. The Opera, the Madeleine, the Moulin Rouge or the Sacré-Coeur are all within walking distance, and there are many excellent restaurants, cafés and bars right in the quarter.
Originally a residential town house, the building has been tastefully transformed into a classy contemporary 3-star designer hotel. The lounge area is elegant in a classic way, the rooms, however, represent a different style. Very bright with white walls and a few coloured items - a red curtain and lamps, a contemporary painting - giving it a charming character. As far as design concerned it is a good example of "less is more." Equipped with all the modern amenities the room we had was very comfortable and spotlessly clean.
And all this came at a very reasonable price - not only is Hotel Aston a great hotel, but also very good value!
Hotel Aston
12, cité Bergère - 75009 - Paris
aston-hotel-paris.com/
A contemporary and trendy designer hotel in a youthful and busy area, the Marais district. Close to all the action of the area, but luckily it is in a quiet little street. Tasteful design, ambient colours and comfy beds. On the downside, the room wasn't that big. But that's pretty much how it is in the historic parts of the city. It was a great base to explore Paris, very convenient with many of the sights - Notre Dame, Pompidou Centre, Ile Saint Louis, the Bastille etc - are within easy walking distance. But the charming district, with its cute streets and cafés, is the real attraction.
The great thing about the Republique area is that prices tend to be cheaper than in the touristy districts - hotels, restaurants, bars etc - while it's still a very central location. And it's a trendy quarter, very lively, popular with locals. The Meslay Hotel is a romantic cutie in the district, it's affordable and stylish. We loved it!
Affordable and stylish, the 3-star Hotel Massena is in one of the most prestigious districts, near the Opera, Place Vendome, the big department stores and luxury boutiqes. It's a shopper's paradise - even if you only window-shop - but also convenient for sightseeing. The Madeleine is a short stroll, and the Tuileries Garden, the Louvre museum and other sights aren't that far either.
We loved the place, it's a cute gem of a boutique hotel, with a very ambient and trendy atmosphere. Our room was modern and classy, with a big comfy bed and spotlessly clean bathroom.
Considering the location and class the prices seem moderate with Paris standards. We certainly believe it's worth it, Hotel Massena is one of those lovely places that make a visit to Paris even more memorable.
www.paris-hotel-massena.com/
16 rue Tronchet
75008 Paris
It's a hotel based on natural, artisanal and handmade furnitures. The atmosphere in the hotel was really peaceful, with linen curtains and sheets, natural coconut fibers bed and wooden parquet flooring. The breakfast was amazing, full of organic products and very tasty.
28 rue de l'Arc de Triomphe, 75017 Paris
+33 1 40 55 03 57
www.hidden-hotel.com
Google map: bit.ly/lZHnvB
A very romantic hotel with starry lights in the room,very friendly and helpfull staff, I recommend it for lovers. This design boutique hotel is very famous in Paris.You can even choose the fragrance of the room and the color of the lights.
3, rue Flatters, 75005 Paris
+33 1 4331 7421
www.thefivehotel.com
Google map: bit.ly/kuO3Mk
5 minutes walk from "rue Mouffetard"
Situated on the sloping streets of Montmartre in the heart of the largest flea market in the world, is Chez Bertrand, surely the most original Bed and Breakfast in Paris. There are three rooms to choose from, each utterly unique and designed and decorated by Mr. Bertrand himself. ‘Le Studio’ welcomes you to the moon with its lunar likeness, ‘L’Appart’ provides a disco ball and giant Haribo dispenser, but the pick of the bunch is certainly ‘Le Loft’. In this former fireplace shop you can sleep in a circular bed, or … a Citroen 2CV converted into a bed! Whichever room you choose, each comes with a complimentary 'French Survival Kit' that includes a baguette, a saucisson and a bottle of Bordeaux.
The eccentric Bertrand is both a friendly and informative host, having written a guide to Paris he can tell you everything there is to do. He makes a pretty mean breakfast too.
Marché aux Puces, Avenue de la Porte de Clignancourt, 75018 Paris
www.chezbertrand.com/accommodation-paris.html
+33 (O)6.63.19.19.87
Google map: bit.ly/kG0ORL
This is a great hostel – pretty new and just ten minutes on the Metro from the Eurostar at Gare du Nord. They’ve got private rooms, dorms, free WiFi, an internet café, a bar, a sauna and a soundproof nightclub in the basement too!
The guys on reception told me it’s on the same canal where they filmed Amélie and that the building’s a remake of the old nineteenth century warehouse - Magasins Généraux, which burnt down in 1990.
The location is right on the Bassin de la Villette - Paris’ biggest artificial pool of water which hooks up to the Seine via the Canal St-Martin. Because of this spot’s popularity the builders had to bring in the famous architects, Chaix et Morel - the same guys who were behind the restoration of the Petit Palace.
On foot you can reach the Buttes Chaumont Park in no time and also the Parc de la Villette, which includes the Science Museum.
The routes into the city are pretty easy too. Crimée Station on Metro Line 7 is only 200 meters away and takes you straight to the department stores around Opéra, the Louvre, Le Marais and the Latin Quarter.
The Laumière station on Metro Line 5 is about 400 meters away and will take you to the Bastille, the Oberkampf night spots and the Latin Quarter.
Also there’s the Jaurès Station on Metro Line 2, again only 400 meters away. This goes to the Arc de Triomphe, Pigalle, the Père Lachaise cemetery and Montmartre.
From the hostel itself you can organise bike tours, walking tours, a Paris induction, basic French language classes and day trips to places like Versailles, and Giverny.
St Christopher's Inn
159 rue de Crimée
75019
Paris
Phone: 00 44 207 407 1856
Website: www.st-christophers.co.uk/paris-hostels
Metro: Crimée, Laumière or Jaurès.
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