Hotel ChopinEditor's Pick

Reviewed by EuroCheapo.com Editors email this page

We were captivated by the Hotel Chopin. Located inside a 19th-century shopping arcade (the darling “Passage du Jouffrey”), the two-star hotel offers comfortable rooms and reasonable rates, but it’s the setting that’s sure to make romantics swoon.

Inside the hotel, a cute lobby welcomes visitors with a marble floor, piano and bust of the famous composer himself. Upstairs, hallways wind around a courtyard behind and above the arcade. The décor throughout is soft, countryside and very grandmotherly.

The guestrooms are simple and clean. Ours had peach-colored wallpaper (that showed a bit of wear), a full-sized bed, small TV and writing desk. Our bathroom was surprisingly large, with a bathtub and plenty of space to move around. Rooms vary in size—you can pay a touch more for a more space.

The Chopin is a friendly and family-run place. The woman serving breakfast (a large buffet with fresh squeezed orange juice, yogurt, cereal, croissants, baguettes, coffee, and tea—for a very reasonable €7) has been working there for 15 years. That’s always a good sign.

It is the arcade setting, however, that really makes the Chopin memorable. The Passage du Jouffrey is along the Boulevard Montmartre, in the heart of the Grands Boulevards shopping scene. The passage, or “arcade,” is quite the concentration of temptations—lined as it is with adorable stores selling toys, books and jewelry, along with baked goods and sweets. And then halfway down, you stumble upon the Hotel Chopin.

Coming and going, you can’t help but feel a little special. If you return after the passage has closed for the night, you’ll be buzzed in from the street. (Late one night, we had the memorable experience of waltzing along the arcade to the hotel, completely alone.)

Note: Reserving a room at the Chopin is a bit of an antiquated experience. You must first call the hotel, then fax over your credit card number to secure your room. At this time, the hotel doesn’t take reservations by email. Furthermore, the hotel is popular—book well in advance.

We should also sound a word of caution to light sleepers: We found the walls to be a bit thin, and we awoke one morning to a particularly animated conversation next door. To avoid any unintended “nocturnes,” we’d suggest bringing along some earplugs. (We picked up a pair for €2 at a nearby pharmacy and tuned out for the night.)

» Tom Meyers

Note: This hotel was visited by a EuroCheapo editor and is recommended based on cleanliness, location, price and overall quality. EuroCheapo did not charge this hotel to be listed.