Meslay Republique

This hotel would might be a decent value if the front desk was anything less than arrogant and rude. [...] Unfortunately this rudeness continued throughout our stay. If a welcoming and friendly environment if important to your Paris visit you might want to stay elsewhere. Rooms are cramped and tired looking. The neighborhood is unspectacular.

If you're in Paris a brief time, and on a budget, the Meslay Republique is marvelously convenient. From Charles de Gaulle Airport, take the 30-minute RER B train to Gare du Nord, switch to the #5 metro and go three short stops to Republique. The hotel is less than a block from the Republique exit leading to Rue du Temple (one of several exits). The Meslay Republique is on a quiet street, and has a friendly, English-speaking staff that provided considerable help when my luggage was almost two days late in arriving -- handling several phone calls with the dysfunctional airport baggage department. My room was small but immaculate, with a window opening onto an internal courtyard and a renovated marble bathroom. Amenities are limited, so bring your own body lotion and conditioner. The TV get BBC World News in English, plus a bunch of French and other European stations. The bright breakfast room, constructed as a stone cavern in the basement, offered good self-serve fare and hot beverages provided by the sweetest ladies. Seconds on cafe au lait -- pas de problem! A McDonald's around the corner in Place de la Republique has free wi-fi, so you may skip the fee the hotel asks for Internet access. Rue du Temple, steps from the hotel, takes you into the Marais district, full of edgy boutiques, hip little restaurants and classic Jewish bakeries. But because the Republique metro stop is so close, you can really get to any destination in Paris very easily. Merci, Meslay Republique!