Hotel Design Sorbonne

The Hotel Design Sorbonne is a sleek three-star "design hotel" with a boutique style, modern furniture and dramatic lighting. While its rates are often out of Cheapo territory, this is one sharp, centrally located hotel, worthy of a splurge.

If you are looking to cuddle up next to the Sorbonne and want to do it “à la hip,” you should certainly consider the hotel. Keep your eyes peeled for discounted rates—if they’re available, we’d snag ‘em!

Quick read

Pros: Cool, boutique design. All rooms with Mac computer. Latin Quarter location near Sorbonne.

Cons: Often not “Cheapo.” Rooms a bit tight.

Rooms

The 38 rooms at the Hotel Design Sorbonne are delightfully designed with a hip, boutique style. Expect bold red, blue and green patterned wallpaper and sleek modern furniture and mirrors. Expect, as well, that rooms are pretty small. Many rooms facing the rue Victor Cousin offer a view of the Sorbonne, and, as the street doesn’t get much traffic, remain pretty tranquil.

Rooms are well-equipped with standard three-star amenities, including a flat-screen TV, DVD player and telephone. However, the most notable amenity is the Mac computer installed in each room (and all rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi).

Bathrooms are similarly tight, and are equipped with either a shower or bathtub, hair dryer and toiletries.

Note that superior rooms give a bit more space, both in the bedroom and in the bathroom.

Hotel

The boutique style carries out into the hallways, which interestingly are lined with framed art and photos. Each floor, it turns out, hosts its own art “installation.”

The entire hotel is non-smoking. The hotel does have an elevator (although its pretty small). Breakfast is extra-charge.

Location

Located directly across the street from the historic school on the tiny rue Victor Cousin, the hotel is about 30 seconds from the Place de la Sorbonne. This is a quiet little street, packed with students, professors and other bookish types during the day.

The Hotel Design Sorbonne is in the Latin Quarter, but it’s the part of the Quarter devoted to schooling and not to cheesy souvenir stands and Greek restaurants. The hotel is also a quick walk to both the Luxembourg Gardens and to Place St. Michel.

Value

We can't recommend the Hotel Design Sorbonne as an everyday budget option for Paris, since rates are regularly in the €200 range. But off-season and special online discounted rates tend to hover just around €100, making this cool cat a great find.

If you love this location, but want something truly “Cheapo,” head next door to the much more affordable EuroCheapo pick, the Hotel Cluny Sorbonne.

Guest reviews in brief

Guests are quite smitten with the Hotel Design Sorbonne. Almost everyone comments on the fun, funky and modern room décor and the helpful addition of a Mac in each room. Almost everyone mentions the friendly service, as well. Finally, the hotel’s location wins over most guests.

Complaints are mostly limited to the room size, which many guests mention, even if they understand that small rooms are typical in Paris hotels (and in very old buildings that have been retrofitted to include private bathrooms). Others mention that the extra-charge breakfast isn’t really worth the hefty price—and point out that there are several cafés nearby that offer a better deal.

* These reviews were provided by verified guests who booked through EuroCheapo's reservation partners. Click on the links below to read reviews in detail.

Transportation

Located in the heart of the Latin Quarter, the hotel is easily reachable by public transportation, but stick with trains to avoid too many switches.

Charles de Gaulle Airport: Take RER B to Gare du Nord to Luxembourg and you are a few minute’s walk.

Orly Airport: Take Orlyval train to RER B to Luxembourg as well.

Gare de Lyon: Take line 1 to Bastille and switch to line 5, then switch again to the 10 at Gare d’Austerlitz. Exit at Cluny-La Sorbonne for a 5-minute walk to the hotel.

Gare de l’Est or Gare du Nord: Take line 4 to Odéon and it’s an easy 10-15 minute walk.