Hotel Est, Paris

This is a typical older Paris hotel that still has charm and personality. Rooms are not as big as American hotels, but if you are going to Paris, you really shouldn't be spending much time in the room. If you like generic modern hotels, don't go here. Convenient location about 3 blocks from Gare De l'Est, but then most hotels in Paris have good access to a metro stop. It is on Magenta, note there is a hotel with almost the same name on Rue Strasbourg - Yeego screwed up our confirmation email and had the wrong address on it so we went to the wrong one. The room was clean and appeared to have been redecorated or at least painted recently. Mattress had a little sag, but we were too tired from walking to mind. Doors do not have weatherstripping, so if you unlucky enough to have noisy neighbors, you will hear them. The desk clerk knew our room number by the end of the first day, breakfast was good, had a great time!

If you read up on Paris hotels in advance, you can appreciate the value Hotel Est offers. It's a real bargain. You'll have a bathroom in your room (no shower, but a nozzle in the tub). The complimentary continental breakfast will get you going. The view is enchanting -- 19th century Haussmanesque architecture on the Boulevard Magenta. The staff speaks English if you insist, but will encourage, appreciate and tolerate your French. The locale is conveniently near the Gare de L'est for easy metro access. The hotel is right next to a great Indian restaurant and near fine African ones. The 10th arondissement is the real, funky Paris -- more a neighborhood than a tourist simulacrum. If you approach this experience with an open mind, you'll have the time of your life. Stop reading this and book that flight and the Hotel Est!