Hotel Basss

Inspired by American graphic designer Saul Bass, this affordable hotel has a cool and contemporary vibe that’s popular with couples. Hotel Basss is set among plenty of bars and restaurants on the busy Rue de Abbesses, conveniently located near popular tourist attractions and public transport links. The hotel building itself has a modern exterior with fresh blue gray facade and neon signage. Original features have been maintained, like the traditional stone cornicing around the main entrance. Interiors have a boutique-hotel vibe, with modern-minimalist decor and tech-startup-inspired wooden furniture throughout. There is a small restaurant and patio area for relaxing after an afternoon seeing the sights, but most guests spend their time outside the hotel. Guests here are mainly couples, but families and groups of friends occasionally visit too.

Located on the bustling Rue de Abbesses in the 18th Arrondissement, Hotel Basss is a great base for exploring Paris on foot. Montmartre is home to the infamous Moulin Rouge cabaret club, which is just a six-minute walk from the hotel. The Montmartre Museum is nine minutes away on foot, and stunning Sacre Coeur Basilica, with its panoramic views of the city, is an 11-minute walk from the hotel. Montmartre Cemetery, where prominent artist Edgar Degas and playwright Alexandre Dumas are buried, is 13 minutes from the hotel on foot. Getting farther afield is simple as well. Abbesses Metro station and Blanche Metro station are three- and six-minute walks, respectively. The Gare du Nord train station is 20 minutes away by metro for trains to other European cities. Charles de Gaulle Airport is a 40-minute drive, depending on traffic or around an hour on the RER train. Budget at least 70 minutes to reach Orly Airport by public transportation. 

The budget-friendly rooms at Hotel Basss are relatively small, with Standard Doubles coming in at 11 square meters (118 square feet). However, the style is sharp for this category of hotel, featuring modern chipboard furniture, white bed linens, abstract art, and colors like sage green and slate blue. Entry-level Single Rooms are a tight squeeze, but are adequate for one person. Superior Triple or Family Rooms have a queen-size bed, sofa bed, and a small table and stool. Some rooms have French doors that open to street views of classical Parisian buildings. All have floating desks that are large enough for a laptop and there’s a wardrobe rail with storage shelves for clothes. Hexagonal tiled full-length mirrors and folding luggage stands are welcome additions. Features include LCD televisions, air-conditioning, free W-Fi, and electric kettles. All rooms include compact en-suite bathrooms, with just enough space for a sink, toilet, and shower. Above the sink there’s a well-lit vanity mirror and basic toiletries are provided. Since the hotel is located on a busy street, it's worth noting that traffic noise might be an issue in some rooms. 

The Hotel Basss has limited facilities, though no less than similar budget hotels in Montmartre. The ground floor breakfast room offers a pleasant space to relax before or after a day of sightseeing, with attractive exposed brick walls and armchair seating. Colorful Pop Art paintings of the Eiffel Tower decorate the room. Free Nespresso coffee and cake is served in the afternoon, and a continental buffet breakfast is free with some room rates. A toaster, and a small selection of board games and children’s coloring-in sheets, are available as well. This open-plan space also serves as the reception, with a small check-in desk and a cozy seating area, with a communal computer. An outside patio area with tables, chairs, and potted plants is a great place to unwind in warmer weather. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.