Hotel St. Georges Lafayette

The general decor at the Hotel St. Georges Lafayette is basic, but it makes a pleasant first impression, housed in a traditional 19th-century Haussmann-style building, with a light, pastel-hued lobby. Aside from the exterior, the most character guests will find here is in the breakfast room -- a converted cellar with exposed brick vaulted ceiling. The hotel has a younger vibe and attracts a range of guests: mainly couples, plus a few families, friends traveling together, and solo backpackers who can afford the step-up from a hostel dorm.

The hotel occupies a historic building down a one-way side street in the 9th Arrondissement, between Montmartre and the Opera Garnier. This area -- south of Place Pigalle -- was once seedy but has become newly trendy, with lots of foodie spots nearby. Both Moulin Rouge and Sacre Coeur are within a 15-minute walk., and the Gustave Moreau Museum is 10 minutes away on foot. There are good transport links near the hotel ,with three bus stations and three metro stations in easy walking distance -- the closest is Pigalle Metro station, just a two-minute walk away. The Gare du Nord is 15 minutes away on foot, and is useful for guests traveling to London by Eurostar. It’s around 45 minutes to Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) by taxi or the hotel’s shuttle service (extra cost). Alternatively, it will take around an hour to reach CDG or Orly Airport by train.

Rooms here are all private, and decor is pretty basic. Walls are painted in soft peaches, lilacs, and pinks, and there’s pale gray or beige laminate flooring. Some look a little more fresh, with modern furniture and bedding, while others still have patterned bedspreads that date them. Rooms have electric heaters and free Wi-Fi, but no air-conditioning or kettles. Flat-screen TVs and private bathrooms are welcome amenities in a hotel of this standard. However, the latter are dated and tiny, especially the shower stalls. Hairdryers are available on request from reception. Twin rooms are what other hotels might deem a double, with twin beds pushed together. Triple rooms have a double and a single bed. Some of the downstairs rooms have been adapted for guests with reduced mobility and have large wet-room bathrooms. Most of the rooms we saw were light and airy but, disappointingly, not all rooms have window, which can feel a bit claustrophobic. Of the rooms that have windows, the views are pleasant enough, facing the attractive historic stone buildings across the street or looking out onto the hotel’s rear courtyard. There’s a bit of general wear and tear, and thin walls let in noise from street traffic and neighboring rooms -- light sleepers may want to pack earplugs. The elevator goes as far as the fourth floor. 

Features here are slim. The simple breakfast room injects a bit of character into the hotel. It sits underground and is a restored wine cellar with an exposed brick vaulted ceiling. Breakfast -- a simple continental buffet -- costs extra. There are plenty of good bakeries nearby that offer more choice. In the lobby, guests’ have 24-hour reception as well as a vending machine, coffee machine, and a computer with printer are all usable for a fee. There’s free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.  A shuttle is available from the hotel to the airport (but not vice versa) and parking is offered a five-minute walk away, both at a fee.