Hotel de Suez

With a super-central location on Boulevard Saint-Michel one block north of the Sorbonne, the Hotel de Suez won us over with its two-star rooms and very reasonable rates.

Quick read

Pros: Very central Latin Quarter location. Reasonable rates. Friendly staff. Relatively spacious rooms.

Cons: Small elevator. Décor à la '70s.

Rooms

The 49 rooms are spotless, well-equipped and surprisingly spacious (considering that you’re in Paris). As for décor, rooms are outfitted in creams, blues and stripes, with coordinating furniture and classic leather armchairs thrown in. It can feel very ‘70s, and definitely not in a way that will be appreciated by those demanding a “boutique hotel” experience. A few rooms, however, have been remodeled and sport an updated look.

All rooms are equipped with a cable TV, telephone and safe. Mini-fridges and safes are available on request. Happily, our favorite rooms facing the street offer great views up and down Boulevard Saint-Michel and have soundproof windows (that actually work!). Some rooms offer delightful little balconies over the street.

Bathrooms boast original 1960s mosaic tiling that looks very hip today. Some showers have multi-jets (ask ahead), and most have ample space for toiletries.

Hotel

The Hotel de Suez is equipped with an elevator, although (surprise, surprise!) it’s quite small. You may find yourself just opting for the stairs—which might get a little old if you’re on the fifth floor.

The receptionists are very friendly and rightly proud of their hotel. Sitting downstairs in the cool lounge (with an eggshell ceiling, mod chairs and tables and a plasma television screen), we met nearly everyone on staff, many of whom have happily made long careers at the Suez.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. A simple breakfast (cereal, croissants, coffee, etc.) is served for €7.80.

Location

If you’re dreaming of sleeping in the middle of the Left Bank action, you will love the location of the Hotel de Suez. It’s just three minutes away from the Jardin du Luxembourg, two minutes south of swanky Boulevard St-Germain, and a few more minutes up to the Seine (and Notre Dame).

Restaurants, cafés and small shops abound in this area. Of course, many cater to tourists or students, but there are still some fun, old-school options.

Metro: The hotel is located a few minutes’ walk from the Cluny-La Sorbonne Metro station (line 10). It’s also just five minutes from the Saint-Michel stop (line 4), which also serves RER B (which has direct service to Charles de Gaulle airport).