Hotel Tiquetonne

The Hotel Tiquetonne is a massive, creaky and fabulously feminine place, providing 45 homey rooms at very low rates. The hotel sits a couple blocks north of Les Halles on the rue Tiquetonne, a pedestrian street filled with hip boutiques.

Quick read

Pros: Central Right Bank location. Very cheap rooms. Old fashioned charm.

Cons: Too simple for some. No TV. Reserve by telephone only.

Rooms

Bedrooms are spacious and decorated with slightly tired red carpet, floral wallpaper and repro paintings. The furniture is vintage (naturally). Rooms do not have TVs, although each has free Wi-Fi and a telephone to receive calls.

Most rooms have nicely tiled baths equipped with showers. Guests staying in the singles with shared facilities will need to shell out an extra €6 for use of the shower.

Note that rooms either look out onto the pedestrian rue Tiquetonne (with its cute hip shops) or onto a back courtyard. We prefer those facing the street (as we prefer a view) and definitely prefer higher floors (ask when reserving). There are some wonderful views to be had here.

Hotel

The Tiquetonne has aged quite gracefully. Built in the 1920s, it has retained its old-world charm amidst the most recent wave of renovations. Ceilings are high, the never-ending staircase is both elegant and spooky and the lobby is a frosty pink.

Certainly, the hotel isn't for those looking for a modern room. However, romantics will appreciate the spirit and sense of history that lives in every thick, pink brushstroke of the Tiquetonne.

Breakfast is available for €6. The hotel does have an elevator.

Reserving at the Hotel Tiquetonne

As we point out above, the hotel does not offer online reservations. You will need to call or email the hotel directly to reserve a room (click the “more information” link below under "Contact" for the phone number, Web site and email).

If you’d like a recommendation for a nearby cheap hotel that does offer online booking, check out our reviews of the Flor Rivoli (next to Chatelet), Hotel des Boulevards (simple and very cheap) and the Hotel du Cygne (nearby and charming).

Note: Speaking French is a plus, as not all of the Tiquetonne's staff speaks English. Also, this hotel is quite popular—you should contact at least two months in advance to reserve.

Guest reviews in brief

Almost everyone agrees that the Hotel Tiquetonne is a great value, considering its central location, clean rooms and very low rates. Most guests note the friendly staff. Guests who make a point of reserving top-floor rooms definitely note the great views and romance of flinging their windows open to the rue Tiquetonne in the morning.

The few grumbles we've come across mostly concern noise: from the street (especially for those on lower floors), in the courtyard, and even between rooms. (This, however, is quite common in budget hotels, and can be mostly prevented by asking for a higher floor when reserving.) The hotel's reservation policy (telephone only to reserve) makes many a guest initially nervous, as well.