My boyfriend and I stayed at this hotel for one night at the end of our trip to France. Although the location was very close to Gare du Nord, which was useful, the hotel itself was a complete let down. Not only was the room on the 6th floor (nice view, but a long trek - there was only one very small lift and it was being used by the cleaning staff for part of the day), it was also incredibly hot with no air conditioning. This, however, was not the main problem.

On first impression the bedroom and the bathroom were both clean and tidy, but we quickly learnt that both the overhead light (the only light in the room) and two out of the three electric plugs in the room were broken. This meant we were unable to use both the electric fan and the television at the same time (a big deal considering it was the world cup final that night!). We reported this to the front desk and the receptionist noted it down. She seemed helpful as neither of us spoke particularily good French, although it seemed as if she'd heard similar complaints before). We went out into Paris for the afternoon and returned in the early evening expecting that the problem would have been fixed, but discovered that nothing had been done. This meant that we were forced to spend the evening in a sweltering room with the television as our only source of light.

We paid 65 Euros with an online offer for a tiny double room, which was bad enough (if cheap for Paris), but the base rate for the room was 105 Euros! For such a price I would expect at least electricity and light!

I stayed 1 night at this hotel in the summer and was given a room on the top floor with a nice view overlooking the street and Gare L'est. The day was absolutely boiling hot and to my horror found the air conditioner not working. I called reception and was just told by the female staff member that it was not working. I asked if they had a fan and was told there was nothing available. No other suggestions were made. I met another hotel guest on the same level who was also complaining of the incredible heat but he didn't even have an air conditioner in his room let alone a fan! When I returned to the hotel close to midnight, there was another male staff member working and I tried to ask again for a fan. He seemed initially a little grumpy, saying it was a little late to be asking for a fan (true but worth a try as otherwise sleep would be impossible in the heat) but then he disappeared upstairs and came back with a fan! So I'm not sure why the female staff did not give me one when I asked in the first place! When the weather is this hot, I find it neglectful to give a room without any form of ventilation and expect paying clients to stay in such a room! Clients shouldn't have to ask for ventilation - the staff should be more understanding and accommodating of this - see if they're able to sleep in such a boiling hot room! On top of all this, I found that the main bedroom light did not work when I returned at midnight, and so had to use the bathroom light at night.

I then found in the morning that the TV didn't work and only one of the two powerpoints worked, hence I couldn't both charge my mobile and have the fan on at the same time. I then wonder what exactly I'm paying for - a hot entertainless dark room. The hotel claims to be undergoing renovations but this appears to be for the lower floors. Alors it was quiet on the top floor, unless your neighbour enters/exits their room as the door tends to slam. The hotel door (room 39) was also quite stiff and hard to open. The room is also very small with no room to open a large suitcase unless you put it on the bed. The internet also did not work in the room and I had to use the internet in the lobby which was fine to use.

Staff were pretty average in manner - probably too affected by the heat to care much about their guests.

Good points of this hotel include:
- location - right outside Gare L'est and plenty of cafes and restaurants
- it has a lift - small but reasonably fast
- small but functional shower (for someone <50kg)

But that's about it! It is not often that I don't recommend hotels but this is one that I would not, based on the attitude that staff seem to think it acceptable for paying clients to stay in such a room where nothing seems to work! On the other hand, had the air conditioner, lights, TV, powerpoint and internet worked in the room, it would have been an excellent stay I'd imagine, but alors have the room checked before giving it to your guests!!!

We've stayed here a few times since 1997 and have always felt welcome. Our room was compact, neatly decorated and functional, with a small desk, wardrobe and TV. The bathroom (actually shower and toilet room) was well-maintained. Renovation of rooms on the eastern side of the hotel was under way but the construction team was working tidily and with minimal disruption to guests.

We found the available transport to be quite comprehensive. Rooms facing the street provide an impressive view of the recently renovated Gare de l'Est, very convenient for the TGV and other trains bound for Alsace, Germany and Switzerland. On previous stays, arriving from Charles de Gaulle airport, we found that the 350 bus, while quite slow, terminates at Gare de l'Est, saving a 10-minute walk from the Gare du Nord. Three Metro lines (4, 5 & 7) and several bus routes starting outside the hotel front door will take you to many parts of Paris without having to change, for example bus 30 to Trocadero, 31 to Arc de Triomphe, 32 to the Grands Magasins, 38 or 47 to Notre Dame, 39 to the Louvre.

For travelers looking for smaller hotel with floors centered around a
spiral staircase and a small elevator. Upper floors offer great view of
the area around gare de l'est. Has quick and easy access to metro,
buses, and rail. While on a busy block, still quiet enough for sleeping.
Small staff helpful and friendly.