Hotel Aida Marais

Hotel Aida Marais is a charming hotel located in a classic, old Parisian building with a balcony on the second floor and a terrace on the fifth. The cream-colored stone hotel, fronted with international flags and flower boxes, sits in a former merchant Jewish district on a street lined with shops, cafes, and neighborhood bars. There’s an interior courtyard lounge that’s brightly lit thanks to a glass roof, from which a glass chandelier hangs. This lounge has an eclectic mix of shabby-chic decor: antique-style couches, a stone fountain and exposed pipes. The building’s history is present in the breakfast room, which has exposed-brick walls, along with tan chairs for a homey vibe. Most guests are couples that can be seen congregating in the lounge area or in the breakfast room in the mornings.  

The hotel is within walking distance to a lot of public transportation and a few attractions. The Place de la Republique, with the Republique metro station, is a six-minute walk away, and Jacques Bonsergent metro station is even closer at a two-minute walk. The Gare du Nord station is a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Guests can reach Le Marais in about 15 to 20 minutes on foot, and the Eiffel Tower by metro in 35 minutes. Canal Saint-Martin only takes seven minutes to reach on foot. The Louvre Museum is a 15-minute drive, 20-minute metro ride, or half-hour walk. Shops, restaurants, and cafes are within five minutes' walk on nearby streets. Charles de Gaulle Airport is around 30 minutes' drive, without traffic. 

Rooms at Hotel Aida Marais vary slightly in terms of decor, but they all fall under the umbrella of a modern baroque style. Think: black stripes floorboards, shabby-chic writing desks, tufted headboards, faux crocodile-skin pillows, and contemporary hanging lights or chandeliers. Room sizes vary from two twin beds to single double beds, and even rooms with triple beds. Guests should note that some of the furniture is worn or scratched and the rooms (and bathrooms) are quite small, even for Paris standards. Each room includes a flat-screen TV, air-conditioning, safe, and coffee/tea facilities. Candies on the pillows are a nice touch. All rooms face either the street or the interior patio. Double Terrace Rooms have large, street-facing terraces decorated with artificial grass, plants, and charming metal tables and chairs. Note that complaints have been made concerning maintenance issues, and bothersome noises from other rooms due to thin walls. Bathrooms differ in size and decor. For instance, the Double Room and Twin Room bathrooms are quite small, with shower stalls, compared to the Double Terrace Rooms, which have shower/tub combos. But all bathrooms include hairdryers and toiletries. 

The best feature of the hotel is the breakfast buffet, served daily for a fee, that includes pastries, fresh breads, jams, fruit, cereal, and yogurt. An indoor lounge with a glass ceiling encourages guest camaraderie with couches and chairs. Guests can grab a hot, cold, or alcoholic beverage from the small lobby bar or the vending machine. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, and there's a computer atop the lobby bar for guests to use. The hotel provides concierge services like car rentals, tour bookings, and reservations at restaurants.