Hotel de Suez

The tiny doorway to the Hotel de Suez is nestled between shops on busy Boulevard Saint-Michel, in the heart of the Latin Quarter, where historic stone buildings with ornate iron balconies line every street. The long narrow lobby is brightened, despite the lack of windows, with white decor and a mirrored wall, and the modern table seating contrasts with the slightly dated patterned wallpaper. A cute elevator runs up to the floors above with room enough for one -- as is common in the city. It's a functional hotel, with every corner utilized for some purpose, but don't expect many frills or much in the way of style. It attracts a mix of guests -- from students and business travelers to mature couples and families -- drawn to the central location and relatively low rates. 

Hotel de Suez is set on one of the main arteries of the Saint-Michel district in Paris' Latin Quarter. It's tiny street-front is wedged between shops and restaurants on leafy Boulevard Saint-Michel, with an M&S Food next door. The area is popular with students, and there are several historic university buildings around. It's a five-minute walk to Palais du Luxembourg, and 10 minutes on foot to Notre-Dame Cathedral. Public transport is the best way to get around the city, and the hotel is well-placed for this, with two bus stops within a two minute walk, and two metro stations less than a 10-minute walk away. Buses leave from outside the hotel for attractions like Sacre Coeur (a 30-minute trip), or Gare du Nord in around 15 minutes. The Saint-Michel Metro station has direct trains to Musee d'Orsay in 10 minutes and to the Eiffel Tower in about 25. Journeys to Charles de Gaulle Airport also leave from Saint-Michel station with a transit time of 40 minutes. Budget an hour by public transit to reach Orly Airport.

Rooms at the Hotel de Suez -- as with the hotel as a whole -- are functional. The dated style won't win any design awards, and includes details like floral bedspreads and traditional artwork on the walls. They also sometimes smell a bit musty and show some wear. The plus here -- aside from low rates -- are the many different rooms available with a host of different bed configurations that suit a wide range of travelers. Superior Rooms offer a little more floor space than the other categories. Rooms on the main road often have small balconies, but noise from the boulevard can be bad. Other rooms overlook the interior courtyard, and all include flat-screen TVs, small desks, and free Wi-Fi. There is no air-conditioning, though fans are available. Bathrooms are done in colored tiling that varies between rooms -- sometimes pale pink, sometimes vibrant turquoise. It's worth noting that most rooms include either a shower or tub, so it's wise to request preference at booking. All include hairdryers and toiletries.

The top feature of the Hotel de Suez is its location, and extras here are thin. There's a free internet station in the lobby, plus sofa seating and tables. Breakfast is a simple affair of croissants, bread, and cereal, and can be taken either in the lobby dining area or in-room. It's not included in rates. Reception is staffed 24/7 and can also arrange airport transfers for a fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.