Hotel Paris Villette

The six-story hotel is located in a basic brick-and-stone Parisian building with wrought-iron balconies out front and potted plants in windows on the first two floors. Inside, the lobby is cozy, but not fancy, with a shimmery ceiling and black leather sofas and chairs where guests can lounge. Potted plants and a flat-screen TV add a homey touch. A spiral staircase leads to the breakfast room, where bright-red accents lend some cheer. There's also a small elevator, which some guests have found a bit shaky, though it's still a plus in a two-pearl hotel in Paris. A small courtyard out back with potted plants has cafe tables and chairs for use during nice weather. The hotel's low rates and proximity to the metro are attractive to budget-conscious travelers, especially couples who don't mind a metro ride to get to the attractions.

This hotel is situated in the 19th Arrondissement, a 15-minute walk from family-friendly Villette Park, which is home to the City of Science and Industry -- a large science museum with an excellent planetarium and an IMAX theater. There's little in the immediate vicinity of the hotel except a supermarket and a few restaurants and bars, but this mostly residential area has a scruffy reputation, though it has improved some in recent years. Still, some guests find the area a bit too seedy for their liking. Central Paris and its major attractions aren't within walking distance, but the Crimee Metro station can be reached in about five minutes on foot. From there it's 30 minutes or so to sights like the Centre Pompidou, the Louvre, Notre Dame, and the trendy Marais neighborhood. Charles de Gaulle Airport is about 20 to 30 minutes northeast of the hotel by car, and Orly Airport is about 30 to 45 minutes' drive away.

As is to be expected of a two-pearl hotel in Paris, rooms are quite small here and decor is kept to a minimum. However, they are more modern than many in this category throughout the city, though the quality can vary a bit. White duvets are topped with chocolate-brown or red throws and pillows in some rooms, others have no toppers, nor any bed skirts, so mattress bottoms show. Accent walls with subtly patterned wallpaper add a little interest and complements carpets in light brown or dark blue hues. Contemporary light wood-veneer furniture is limited to small wood desks and chairs, and nightstands with shelves attached to tall wooden headboards. Folded clothes can be stored on shelves in the closet, hidden behind a curtain in each room. The wall-mounted flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi are nice conveniences, but there is not air-conditioning. En-suite bathrooms are tiny, with pedestal sinks, shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and packets of toiletries. Windows open onto the courtyard or have street views. Courtyard rooms are quiet, though rooms on the street side are less so.

The hotel's breakfast room is a cozy space in the cellar with a red silhouette painting of Paris covering one wall. Red placemats and chairs add punch to the otherwise rather gray space. Breakfast is the only meal served on-site, and it's a simple continental spread that's offered for a reasonable fee. Guests give so-so reviews to the assortment of cheeses, breads, meats, cereals, and dried fruits. A business desk in the lobby provides two computers for guests to use. A small meeting room can accommodate groups, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.