Hotel Design Sorbonne

Editor’s Note:

Hotel Design Sorbonne is no longer a EuroCheapo Editor’s pick. In our most recent research and rate testing, we found average rates were regularly over $230 a night, which is well outside of our Cheapo budgets.

Instead, explore all budget-friendly hotels in Paris, other budget hotels in the Latin Quarter, or check out our article on the best cheap hotels in Paris for 2025.

Our original review of this hotel is posted below, if you’re just curious or in the market to splurge.

___________________________________________

Original Review:

The Hotel Design Sorbonne is a sleek three-star "design hotel" with a boutique style, modern furniture, and dramatic lighting. This is one sharp, centrally located hotel, and its rates sometimes (but not often enough) dip down into affordable territory.

First of all, why is this arty boutique hotel on EuroCheapo? Good question. It’s here because sometimes it does offer its swanky rooms at affordable rates, especially at the last minute and off-season (when rates have been seen hovering around €150). For those willing to shell out a bit more in the Latin Quarter, it's certainly worth considering.

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

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 it's pretty small). Breakfast is an 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, 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.

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