Perfect Hostel, Paris

-The Hotel-
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As an ardent lover of all things Parisien, I have visitied the city numerous times and found this hotel a few years ago. Since then I have returned to the hotel (which is now officially classified as a hostel) four or five times and would recommend it to anyone who wants to visit the city on a shoe-string.
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First of all I will say that if you're looking for luxury in Paris, the Hotel Perfect(and so this ...
...you're looking for a bit of Parisien hospitality coupled with a good location and excellent links, then read on! Floor space is at a huge premium in Paris, so to find such a well located, comfortable and clean place to stay, at such competitive prices, is really quite an achievement.
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The hostel is located on Rue Rodier, in the Montmatre district of Paris. It's a ten minute walk (with luggage) from the Gare de Nord railway station, ... more

-The Hotel-
-
As an ardent lover of all things Parisien, I have visitied the city numerous times and found this hotel a few years ago. Since then I have returned to the hotel (which is now officially classified as a hostel) four or five times and would recommend it to anyone who wants to visit the city on a shoe-string.
-
First of all I will say that if you're looking for luxury in Paris, the Hotel Perfect(and so this review) will be of no use to you. However, if you're looking for a bit of Parisien hospitality coupled with a good location and excellent links, then read on! Floor space is at a huge premium in Paris, so to find such a well located, comfortable and clean place to stay, at such competitive prices, is really quite an achievement.
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The hostel is located on Rue Rodier, in the Montmatre district of Paris. It's a ten minute walk (with luggage) from the Gare de Nord railway station, which will connect you to the airports and the rest of France. It is mere minutes walk from two metro stations (Anvers and Cadet) and is on the cusp of the 'red light district' or Pigalle. This means that you are infact within walking distance of the world famous Moulin Rouge and the imposing Sacre Couer church, as well as the bustling surrounding streets and markets.
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The hostel itself offers a variety of rooms (single, double, twin double and triple), available with shared or private facilities. The rooms are basic, but more than adequate in a city where you should be using your room to shower, shave, sleep and the other 's'! Each room contains bed(s), a wardrobe, a sink, a desk, a phone and, if you have private facilities, a shower room and toilet. There is a communal shower room and separate toilet on each floor.
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A quick glance at their website - www.paris-hostel.biz - tells me that they also offer self contained appartments in adjoining buildings for E35 per person per night. I've never stayed in one of these, but by the looks of things, they are well euipped and have the benefits of the hotel.
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The hotel has a 24 hour English-speaking manned reception (the people who man it speak English - not the reception itself!), a lounge, TV room, communal kitchen.
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Prices are per person, per night (including taxes) and range from E25 to E50 depending on the facilities and occupancy you choose. For that price, you get breakfast, a map of the city, towels, a safety deposit box (located at reception) and English newspapers.
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-My Opinion-
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The key word with this hotel is basic. However that doesn't mean that it isn't a gem of a place, because it is.
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The rooms are small (and in some cases, with slightly sloping floors!), the decor is tired and somewhat gaudy - with mismatched furniture - and the lift is an experience and a half (creaks and whirs suggesting that you may or may not make it to the floor you've requested!).
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Breakfast is a basic affair, with half a baguette served with butter and a selection of jams, piping hot coffee and fruit juice. I've always found that it's enough to start the day, but not so much that you can't enjoy the delicious food elsewhere at lunchtime.
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These things though, cannot outweigh the hotel's many positives. The staff contradict every French stereotype there is and are the nicest people you'll ever meet. Tell them you are trying to improve your French and they'll throw in a lesson every time you go to reception. They smile at all hours of the day and remember your face from year to year.
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The location is fantastic. A visit to the hotel transports you to a world of Parisien culture - it is surrounded by traditional 'boulangeries' and 'boucheries'. Dior clad elderly ladies pedal down the street with baguettes in their bicycle baskets and young children play on the balconies of the ornate buildings. A simple walk down the street will have you marvelling at the 'shabby-chicness' of the place.
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The nearby Pigalle is a collision of old world charm and new world brashness that will keep you entertained and enthralled for hours. The hotel doesn't provide meals, but the surrounding area provides every typically French dish you can think of, through an abundance of bistros, restaurants and cafes.
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The hotel offers comfortable surroundings in a vibrant area, and every time I have been I haven't been dissappointed. If you remember that Paris is an expensive city and can overlook Hotel Perfect's eccentricities, you'll realise just what a great find this hostel/hotel is.

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