Hotel De Lorraine

( 1 star , Paris , France )

Basic, convenient no frills Paris hotel right opposite the Gare de l'Est (you can't miss it!), ideally suited for travellers on a limited budget looking for well-placed acommodation that covers your basic needs, with unbeatable public transport links to the whole of Paris and the Île-de-France region, plus within easy walking distance of a number of bars, restaurants and cafés in a bustling, energetic urban area that is well worth exploring and offers some richly contrasting scenery.From Gare de l'Est you can get to the downtown shopping areas around Châtelet-les-Halles, the historic Louvre, Saint Germain and Marais in under 10 minutes via line 4 of the metro. The Bastille area, plus Place de la Republique and rue Oberkampf with their pulsating nghtlife are just 10 minutes down line 5. Enjoy majestic views of the City of Lights from the summit of the Butte de Montmartre and the Sacré Coeur church in just 10 minutes. The rooms of the hotel are elementary, clean, a little outmoded in terms of the decor but good value nonetheless. You can choose between en suite bathroom and WC or shared facilities outside the room in the hall. All rooms are equipped with colour TV. The reception area is calm and fitted out with wood panelling, on through reception there is a compact dining room, simply laid out with views of the street below. Breakfast is available at 5 Euros per person. There are plenty of places to eat and cafés to do people-watching from in the 10th district. Boulevard de Strasbourg and the adjacent streets are crammed with restaurants to suit every taste and wallet. To escape the city nearer to the hotel, head for the Canal Saint Martin where you can enjoy lazy, afternoon strolls along its banks and sample the more gentle, easy-going side of Paris, just a 5 minute walk from the hotel. Easy on your pocket, easy to find, and easy to get around.