Campanile Paris 14 - Maine Montparnasse

The Campanile Paris 14 - Maine Montparnasse is situated in a seven-story building with a flat-white facade accented with Juliet balconies. The entryway's bright green awning is the trademark color for Campanile, a chain of budget and mid-range hotels that runs under the larger Louvre Group umbrella. The hotel is clean but low on frills, built for function for tourists who hope to spend more time out of the hotel than in it. The lobby has a generic waiting-room feel with tiled floors, neutral beige and wood walls, and blue vinyl bench seating. A string of flags are a small attempt at decorative flair. The hotel's best spot might be it's little courtyard, complete with a wood patio, climbing plants, and a handful of tables and chairs. While decor is nothing remarkable and rooms are small, this spot can rival rates at lower-pearl properties and even hostels. 

This Campanile is situated on a main artery in the 14th arrondissement, a pleasant tree-lined street that's mostly home to residential buildings and hotels; it's a bit beyond the tourist center of Paris. Though not in walking distance to major attractions, there is still plenty guests can reach on foot, including the famous Rue de La Gaité, full of restaurants and theaters, which is about a seven-minute walk. Guests can also walk to the Catacombs (10-minute walk), the Montparnasse neighborhood (15-minute walk), and Luxembourg Gardens (25-minute walk). The nearest metro station, Gaîté, is a six-minute walk, while the Gare Montparnasse transport hub is a 10-minute walk. Major sights like the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre are reachable in a half hour or less via public transit. Charles de Gaulle Airport is less than an hour away via the RER B from Denfert-Rochereau station.

Rooms are small and generic but functional, with decor that's reminiscent of the average college dorm -- though these are likely much cleaner. Rooms are tasteful enough but impersonal, with dark wall-to-wall carpeting, neutral beige and white walls, and light wood desks. Room sizes include doubles, twins, and triples, all clocking in at less than 140 square feet (though these tiny sizes aren't uncommon in Paris). Rooms are air conditioned and include work desks, coffee/tea service (with electric kettles), safes, and 24-inch LED TVs, but there are no mini-fridges. Bathrooms are a little dated with green and beige tiling and toiletry dispensers. Most bathrooms include tiny shower stalls, but some have half baths with showers. Hairdryers can be borrowed from reception. Street-facing rooms can get some traffic noise, so light sleepers may want to face the courtyard.

Like many Parisian hotels, this one has limited extra property features. There's a pleasant canteen-style breakfast room where a decent daily buffet is served (for an extra fee) and a small but nice outdoor courtyard with a few tables and chairs. A hangout spot near the breakfast room and a selection of drinks near reception serve as the 24-hour "bar." The hotel also has meeting facilities and a computer for guest use. For those traveling with children, cribs and high chairs are available. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and reception is open 24-hours.