Faubourg 216-224

( 3 stars , Paris , France )

Good value for non-fussy travellers who need a convenient base This hotel is very convenient for the Bouffes du Nord and 5 mins round the corner from Garde du Nord, in a scruffy, friendly immigrant area. It has just been refurbished in a fresh 'minimalist' style, so bathrooms are modern and there is no oppressive wallpaper/curtains/flowery carpets (the bain of every mid-range Parisian hotels I've stayed in, where they always seem addicted to high-inducing levels of shake-and-vac). Rooms are not huge, but adequate and clean, with small modern sofas, enormous flatscreen TVs and very comfortable beds. The odd thing is missing -one room lacked pillows and towels; another had no bathroom door (!) Stairways are still in mid refurb. Walls are quite thin but there are only 4 rooms on each level, so you're not suffering noise from echoing corridors and passing people traffic. Balcony windows open, so you don't need aircon. The staff were very friendly and I'm sure they intended to help re missing towels and pillows, but just forgot... Warning - there is a Night Porter, but whether he lets you in or not is a bit hit-and-miss. Some of our group got in, after some persistence, at 3.30am. Others, returning an hour later, weren't so lucky and had to stay out till breakfast time. Not too much of a trial as there are lots of all-night cafes nearby. No problem leaving bags there after checkout.

Not What I Had Expected from a 3-Star Hotel Do your homework when booking a hotel room. Read the reviews, and shop around.

worst place ive ever stayed since the moment i got to the hotel i realised that Queens bed in this hotel means two single bed in double room, so i need to wait half an hour for new room, in my first missed bathroom doors and on the stairs was lying ciggaretes and you could see pain on the carpet, some constractors was still working during the day, elevator doesnt work propely stopped over every 1m so i need to take my heavy bag at second floor, my double room was size bathroom

Very small rooms, hardly any room to move at all, but very good bed and very clean.. good breakfast included. WiFi worked in lobby only.

It was an eye opener! If you intend to stay longer like we did - a week, make sure you have a fridge Which we had) to store some food, drinks etc bought from the local supermarkets. Our hotel did not provide tea and coffie in the room or a kettle to boil water in. We had to buy one. Get a two or 3 day day travel card for the underground and busses at the train station. Book a tour of Paris via the internet it will give you a good idea what you want to see later in detail.

+ It was walking distance from the train station. - The bathroom smelled of the damp. the lift was too small for people. the stairs had very poor lighting.

Very disappointed Use the metro system in Paris, it's fast, user friendly and very cheap.

Medium experience - for the budget traveller The modern decor and marble-tiled bathrooms look smart and clean. But this is superficial. The finish is shoddy and flawed. There are signs of the tired old building beneath. But I would recommend the hotel for the budget traveller. The staff are pleasant and aware. Breakfast is generous. The location near gare-du-nord is convenient enough. And it's quiet, if a little isolated along a parade of shuttered shops.

The personal was very friendly and room was clean. The location of the hotel is great, very close to train and La Sacre Coer. Suficient if someone is searching place just to sleep. Little a bit shocking was when I entered room which was already occupied and a couple there was making love....it was embarassing. Shame, in TV was only one channel... And in the end I was surprised by rating from dollar to euro. If I paid cash and changed money in my bank, I could save around 70 Aus dollars.

nice friendly staff, rooms brand new, plasma tv, small but cozy, hotel being refurbished as of june 2008, close to gare du nord link to eurostar