I guess it all depends on what you're used to. Room/premises, quality wise, would be a $30 a night hotel in Orlando, Fl. Would that it had been that cheap! (It wasn't. Quite pricy for what it offers.)
It's old and none too clean. The room is tiny by U.S. standards, so is the bathroom. Abulutions are meant to be European. The tub is meant for baths, with a hand shower attachment on the wall as an afterthought, no shower curtain. The beds were comfortable, but very narrow.
The elevator is rickety, and was out of service when I checked in, resulting in a three flight trip with my bags. The bar was never open. The breakfast buffet in the small eating room in the back was adequate (Loved the rich French coffee) but, to my chagrin (I failed to ask the price before I indulged every morning of my stay) turned out to be as pricy as everything else in this hotel (So was the laundry service).
The view is of an appartment building across a narrow side street, but not unpleasant, very Parisian. There's a pleasant little park down the street, good for people watching. The Rue Lafayette is a block away, chock full of small restaurants. There are two metro stations within 2-3 blocks, and the Gare du Nord is conveniently close by (Maybe 8 blocks?). Great for taking the RER to and from CDG.
It's location is what's best about it. The first couple of days I walked everywhere, until I found out how convenient the metro was, and how easy to use. But even the Louvre is what I'd call just a brisk hike away.
Overall, though, now being able to compare it's price and location to other hotels in Paris, I doubt I'd ever return.
- De l Ocean Hotel
- Hotel De l Ocean
- Hotel De Locean
