Background: my wife and I had wound up (thanks to a grossly misleading New York Times article) in a total dump (elsewhere review by me on this site) that we fled from after one terrible night. Happily we found the Alhambra and while we paid a bit more (something like 100 euros/night for a large room (normally for three) -- the only one they had left) it was totally worth the money. That said, anything would have been an improvement from our first wretched night, so this may be somewhat influenced by virtue of that comparison.

First: the location is fantastic. You are a 10 second walk from metro Oberkampf, and about a minute from another metro, so it is very convenient into the city center, and easily close enough to walk. The hotel is right on the border of the Marais neighborhood with its infinite charms. Nearby, there are nice restaurants (not too expensive) including a good Thai food place next door.

I saw in other reviews complaints about the staff. Untrue! (at least in our experience). There were a number of members of a family that run the place and take turns at the desk (note: I assume they're a family), and each was very polite and friendly, and spoke English well. Sometimes they were a little on the slow side, but nothing worse than that. We witnessed their polite attitudes with all other guests, so it wasn't just a personal chemistry, as it were.

The lobby is not huge or lavish, but is clean and bright, and features nice waiting room chairs and free internet station (plus wifi). We chose not to take breakfast, but one can do so on their lovely patio in the garden.

The room we had was very clean -- floors, bedspread, bathroom, etc -- and bright. The beds (we had several to choose from) were all film (but not too much) and comfortable. The view is interesting: like in Hitchcock's "Rear Window," you look out onto a giant residential building across the way and all the many rooms of families, solo folks, etc. Believe it or not, from our room, we had a glimpse of the tippy top of the Eiffel Tower.

I'd call the room fairly basic, modern and functional. It has its own charm, but not in great abundance. The TV is miniscule, but who cares -- you're in Paris -- go out and see a museum and take a walk by the Seine! Others referred to the elevator -- yes, it is small. But never broke down while we were there.

All in all, a very sweet and comfortable hotel with good value for the money, and in a superb location at the outer edge of the 3rd Arrondissement. Highly recommended for any purposes, and certainly as a refuge from cheaper (but squalid, charmless) dumps.