Hotel Rivoli

The Hôtel Rivoli is an old-fashioned cheap sleep with a price that’s hard to beat—a great option for those who aren’t fond of youth hostels and don't mind the constant hum of cars driving down the busy Rue de Rivoli. Located in the Marais across from the Hôtel de Ville and a Metro station, it's very centrally located.

Quick read

Pros: Super cheap. Centrally located. Clean. Some great views.

Cons: No Wi-Fi. No elevator. On busy street. Too “simple” and scruffy for many.

Rooms

The Rivoli’s 20 rooms are unapologetically plain, dated and a bit scruffy, with thin carpeting and no artwork on the walls. (But have you looked at those rates?) The beds have one long, cylindrical pillow instead of two standard ones. Rooms may have a phone, but there's no TV or internet.

All rooms face rue de Rivoli, and eight sport wrought iron terraces with a view of city hall. Two rooms on the sixth floor (no elevator) peek out at Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower. (The proprietor explained that he usually reserves these for his youngest—and fittest—clients.)

Bathrooms are optional in the room, so be sure to state clearly which type you’re after. There are rooms with their own toilet, sink and shower, rooms with just a sink and shower, and rooms with only a sink (both with toilets in the hall). While all are clean, it’s best to know you may be sharing a toilet and shower beforehand to avoid surprises.

Hotel services

The reception on the first floor has a sterile, '70s look to it, with linoleum tiling and bland furnishings. There's a small lounge area for watching TV, not to mention one of the last surviving pay phones in town that takes coins.

Breakfast is also served here for €5. The receptionist tells us that there will eventually be Wi-Fi, but we’re still waiting.

To reserve a room, you'll have to call the hotel's phone service (the number is listed below under "more information"). Just be persistent—you’re likely to get a busy signal once or twice. The staff is friendly, but don’t expect them to bend over backwards.

Location

What the Hotel Rivoli lacks in charm and amenities, it makes up for in location. While not much of a hotspot itself, the Hotel Rivoli borders the trendy Marais district on the Right Bank. Known as the heart of gay and Jewish life, you’ll be a few minute’s walk from bars, vintage shopping, and the best €5.50 falafel in town.

Just south of the hotel is the river and a short walk to Notre Dame and the Latin Quarter for more sightseeing. Other major sites are all easily accessible using the nearby Metro station.

Transportation

Reaching the Hotel Rivoli is easy. The Metro stop "Hotel de Ville," serviced by the lines 1 and 11, is a convenient station for those coming from most airports and train stations.

Charles de Gaulle Airport: Take the RER B to Chatelet and switch to the line 1. Or take the Roissy Bus to Opéra, take line 8 to Republique, and switch to line 11.

Orly Airport: Take Orlyval train to RER B to Chatelet and switch to line 1 to Hotel de Ville. Or take the Orlybus to Denfert-Rochereau and switch to the Metro.

Gard de Lyon: Take Metro line 1.

Garde de l’Est or Gare du Nord: Take metro line 5 to Bastille and switch to line 1.