In the 10th Arrondissement near trendy Saint Martin Canal
Across from a metro station, walking distance to two transportation hubs
Renovated rooms with colorful accents and coffee/tea facilities
Modern lobby lounge with TV and vending machines
Continental buffet breakfast with fresh bread and croissants (fee)
Spacious courtyard garden with tables and chairs set under a pergola
Free Wi-Fi throughout
One meeting and event room
Limited parking available (fee)
Pet-friendly (fee)
Major tourist sights not within walking distance
Rooms are small and bathrooms can be tiny
Street-facing rooms can be noisy
No on-site restaurant or fitness facilities
Wi-Fi signal is shaky on occasion
The mid-range Hotel Paris Louis Blanc is in Paris' lively 10th Arrondissement, surrounded by shops, restaurants, and bars. It's near the trendy Canal Saint Martin area and is about a 10-minute walk to the Gare de l' Est and the Gare du Nord. The hotel's 91 Twin and Double Rooms were renovated in 2014 -- they're small, but their lime-green, mauve, and pale-blue accents pop. They include flat-screen TVs, coffee- and tea- making facilities, and free Wi-Fi, though some bathrooms are tiny. The hotel has a small but chic lobby lounge, a lovely courtyard garden with wood deck flooring and trellises looped with greenery, and a meeting room. Travelers might want to compare rates with nearby Ibis Paris Gare du Nord Chateau Landon or the Hotel at Gare du Nord.
Scene
Small, modern hotel with bright geometric accents and other trendy touches
The Hotel Paris Blanc is situated in a five-story white corner building with arched window accents. Built in 1990, the hotel underwent a major 2014 renovation in the lobby and rooms (though not the bathrooms). The lobby, with its sightly quirky furniture, is the chicest part of the hotel. The minimalism of a gray reception desk, white walls, and simple wood floors are countered with bright geometric wallpaper and electric-purple lamps. Furniture has an updated mid-century modern vibe, such as the loveseats with tapered wood legs, gray seat cushions, purple upholstered backs, topped with apple-green accent pillows. The breakfast room is equally stylish, with wood floors and green-and-white molded chairs. Another standout is the courtyard garden, where tables and chairs are set out under a pergola on a nice wood deck with trellises. The hotel draws a wide swath of travelers, including tourists -- couples, families, and solo travelers -- and business travelers too.
Location
Situated in Paris' 10th Arrondissement directly across from the metro
Hotel Paris Louis Blanc is situated on a busy street, which it shares with restaurants, shops, and a police station. The Louis Blanc metro station (lines 7 and 7B) is across the street. The Saint Martin Canal is a short walk away, and is a "happening" area with trendy bars and restaurants. The Jaures metro station (lines 2, 5, and 7B) is a six-minute walk away. Most major tourist sights, such as the Arc de Triomphe, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, and the Musee d’Orsay, are reachable via public transportation in 30 minutes or less. Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est, which are major transportation hubs, are also in walking distance.- Three-minute walk to Saint Martin Canal
Rooms
Small, simply decorated rooms with bright accents, AC, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi
Renovated in 2014, the Hotel Paris Louis Blanc's small guest rooms have wall-to-wall carpeting and bright fabric accents such as teal coverlets, lime-green drapes, and mauve dust ruffles, which pop against the white walls and coordinate with colorful geometric prints on pillows, lamp shades, and artwork. Bathrooms weren't included in the 2014 renovation -- they're somewhat cramped with stucco walls, beige and gray tiling, wall-mounted sinks, and shower/tub combos (tubs are small). Wall-mounted hairdryers and toiletries are provided.All rooms are air-conditioned and include desks and wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, and electric kettles with tea and coffee supplies. Wi-Fi is free, but guests have complained about a shaky signal that doesn't always reach the upper floors, and frequent sign-in demands. Rooms are mostly Singles and Doubles, with twin or double beds -- some rooms have connecting doors. The hotel's five Superior or Prestige Rooms are more spacious and add sitting areas with round tables and modern cup-shaped chairs, and have larger bathrooms with more counter space around the sinks. Nineteen of the Standard rooms face the courtyard garden, while the others face the busy street, and can be noisy if the windows are left open.
Features
Lovely courtyard garden, modern lobby lounge, and buffet breakfast (fee)
The Hotel Paris Louis Blanc, which claims to be the last independently owned mid-range hotel in the area, doesn't pack in the amenities -- there is no on-site restaurant, bar, or fitness facilities. A continental breakfast is served daily, and includes fresh bread, croissants, pain au chocolat, fruit, ham, cheese, plus coffee, juice, and tea, but it's not included in the room rate. Lounge spots include a small but modern lobby with colorful couches, tables, a TV, and vending machines. There's also a lovely courtyard garden -- with tables and chairs set out under a pergola on a nice wood deck. The hotel also has a meeting room. Reception is open 24 hours a day, and the staff will store luggage. Limited parking is available, for a fee, it should be reserved in advance. Wi-Fi is free throughout.