Ibis Styles Paris Cadet Lafayette

very very small room

This was one of the smallest hotel rooms I’ve stayed in. It was basically a narrow, long-ish capsule. But considering that, it contained a single bed, a small table that folds out from the wall, an open wooden wardrobe, and a chair. If you’re a single traveller who’s okay with a tight space, and want to be near Gare du Nord, this kind of room is a good option. I would not call it cheap, though; you’re paying for being close to a transport hub. In hindsight, I might not pick this hotel again, because if you have luggage, it’s a bit of a trek to and from Gare du Nord - at least ten minutes, some of it uphill. Getting to and from the nearest metro station, Poissoniere, involves a set of stairs, but that’s only about a four-minute walk. Overall, it’s probably among the more budget-friendly hotels closest to Gare du Nord that is not in an iffy location. There’s a little ledge running above the bed that you can use to keep things on, and a smallish shelf too. Also, a reading light. The fittings in the bathroom were nice and seem to have been installed recently. The shower is tiny, and you shouldn’t really try to turn around when you’re in there, but I (think) I have used smaller ones! In the room I was in, water tended to seep out of the shower onto the floor below, but not so much that it was a big deal. All-purpose hair and body gel is provided in the shower, and handwash by the sink. The “view” was of the walls of a building, but I’d rather have that than a nicer view that comes with more noise. Breakfast is the usual Ibis Styles one - a cold buffet, with boiled eggs as the hot option. The fresh orange juice (that you squeeze yourself) is a standout. There are a couple of well-rated restaurants at the square down the road, and a Franprix and Carrefour not far away.

This hotel was well situated, very close to Poisonaire metro and not far from Gare du Nord. It’s also close to a park, laundry, chemist and supermarket as well as numerous cafes. Our bed was comfortable, and there were spare pillows. The shower was lovely. Breakfast provided a good variety of cheeses, cold meat, boiled eggs, breads and croissants, juice etc. The coffee machine was always available during the day, which is a great idea. There is a bar but we didn’t use it. Our check in was quick and the staff member was very helpful,and friendly. The room was quiet, and there was a small lift as well as stairs.Housekeeping was always finished by the time we got back, after lunch.

I have stayed several times at this hotel, and it will always be my first choice for any trip to Paris. First, it’s beside the Metro at Poissonnière with easy links to central Paris and Gare du Nord. Secondly, the hotel staff are exceptionally good and have made every stay really good. It is also quiet and stylish.

A well-run company can be recognised by the reaction of the management when problems arise. At this hotel, the manager's reaction is very poor : the customer who reports proven complaints (about the cleaning of the room ) is termed unreliable by the manager. So no positive reaction from the management to reporting problems at all.