Hotel de la Place des Alpes

Overlooking a small square just off the Place d’Italie, the two-star Hotel de la Place des Alpes is a bare-bones, but practical, cheap sleep.

Quick read

Pros: Cheapo rates. Next to major Metro stop. Some great views.

Cons: Small rooms and bathrooms. Location not super-central.

Rooms

Many of the hotel’s 42 rooms are a bit tight, and their private bathrooms are even tighter. However, with rates this low, that’s the trade-off (along with a location that you could find "far-flung").

Rooms are decorated with new navy carpets and pastel walls, while furnishings are purely functional and pre-fab (no antiques here). All rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, telephone and safe, while private bathrooms each have a shower.

We preferred the rooms looking out toward the Place des Alpes (and beyond that to Place d’Italie). These are equipped with double-paned windows to cut down on noise, and top-floor rooms offer some great views. (A small elevator goes to most floors.)

Hotel

Wi-Fi is free and accessible throughout the hotel. A continental breakfast is served for a reasonable €6.

Location

The Hotel de la Place des Alpes is located, unsurprisingly, on the small Place des Alpes, which is just adjacent to the Place d’Italie, a major traffic circle and transportation hub for the Metro and buses. We find this spot interesting: You’re surrounded by shops, offices and restaurants, but not always of the picturesque variety. On the upside, you’ll be around far more locals than tourists. This, too, is Paris.

Metro: The hotel is located just two minutes from the Place d’Italie Metro station, serving lines 5, 6 and 7.