Hôtel Bellevue et du Chariot d'Or

One of Paris' remaining Belle Époque Cheapo grande dames, the Hôtel Bellevue et du Chariot d'Or still holds court along the lively rue de Turbigo near the Place de la République, offering rooms for budget travelers by the busload.

A former palatial residence, this two-star gem has been a favorite of ours for more than a decade, as it gives a whiff of old-fashioned Parisian elegance at budget rates averaging €145 a night. However, it's clearly not for everyone. (For example, those looking for a typical three-star hotel experience.)

Downstairs, the Bellevue’s lobby, lounge and café will quickly seduce the incurable romantics out there, with antiques, wall candelabras, gilded mirrors, stained-glass windows and other architectural traces from the past. In fact, only the Internet station, flat-screen television and fat stack of magazines looked out of place!

Up the stairwell (or rather spacious—and talking—elevator), you’ll find 59 guestrooms. Many have been renovated in recent years, but they kept many of the old fireplaces, built-in armoires, and other charmingly dated features.

The décor, however, got a few modern touches in the renovated rooms, like imposing wooden headboards, angular tables and chairs, and more muted colors on the walls and carpets. Meanwhile, unrenovated rooms, less appealingly boasting scuffed up wallpaper and tired fabrics, await their transformation. (Needless to say, ask for a renovated room when reserving!) All are equipped with a flat-screen TV, telephone, Wi-Fi and safe.

Rooms with balconies are available, but the rue de Turbigo can be busy and windows aren’t soundproofed, so light sleepers should request one of the courtyard-facing rooms or pack earplugs. Even still, we’ve heard that the rather picturesque (see photo) courtyard can echo conversations from other rooms, so you’re best with earplugs regardless.

All rooms have private bathrooms, which offer shower-tub combos and many of which have been renovated, as well. 

Given the budget rates and nearly five dozen rooms, it shouldn't be a shocker that the hotel has been a favorite on the school-bus-tour circuit for a long time. You shouldn't be surprised to find excited students in the breakfast room.

Interestingly (to me, at least), the Chariot d’Or seems like the masculine counterpoint to the nearby Hotel Tiquetonne, which also exhibits fun period details, but with a distinctly feminine touch.

Location

The Hotel Bellevue et du Chariot d’Or is situated on the bustling rue de Turbigo, which slices diagonally southwest from Place de la République to Les Halles. We find this location to be very convenient: You’re just a few blocks north of the Centre Pompidou, and a few blocks west of the center of the Marais.

Metro: The hotel is located three blocks from the Arts et Métiers Metro stop (and museum!), serving lines 3 and 11.