Bright and colorful budget hotel
Short walk to two Metro lines
Small furnished terrace area available to guests
Buffet breakfast is served each morning (fee)
Some rooms have TVs and en-suite bathrooms
Free Wi-Fi throughout
No elevator and
lots of stairs
Away from main
tourist attractions
Rooms are prone
to noise
Shared bathrooms are in need of updates
Few facilities; no full restaurant or gym
Hotel Tolbiac
offers basic, no-frills lodging in Paris's Chinatown district in the 13th
arrondissement. While the area isn't particularly scenic with little in the way
of tourist attractions, Metro links are nearby that connect easily to the city
center. Simple rooms range from those with TVs and en-suite facilities, to some with bare-bones amenities and shared bathrooms. Soundproofing is fairly poor and
hotel facilities offer little beyond free Wi-Fi and a buffet breakfast (for a
fee). All in all, while it's one of the cheapest options in the area, you get more for your
money at the equally budget-friendly Smart Place Paris.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Budget hotel with hostel vibe, vibrant color scheme, and no elevator
Entry to the Hotel
Tolbiac is through an attractive white arch adorned with ornate plasterwork and
a colorful sign marking the otherwise inconspicuous entrance. Inside, while a
vibrant rainbow color scheme continues, the feel is decidedly more hostel than
hotel with a super-basic lobby-turned-breakfast room with simple metal
furnishings, bookshelves, and a few art prints. A small courtyard provides some
further seating, while narrow wooden stairs wind up the property's four floors
to hallways with garish pink doorways. There's no elevator so this property is not recommended
for the mobility impaired. It is, however, ever popular with backpackers,
younger travelers, and families on a budget.
Location
Away from tourist attractions but close to the Metro
The hotel is
located in Paris's China Town -- or Asian Quarter -- in the 13th arrondissement
in the southeast corner of the capital. Situated between the Place d'Italie and
gritty apartment blocks, the area is far from picturesque with few tourist
attractions within walking distance. The hotel is, however, well placed for
public transportation with two Metro stations -- Tolbiac and Olympiades -- a three and
five minutes' walk away respectively. It's then a 20-minute subway ride to city-center
attractions such as the Louvre museum and Notre Dame cathedral. The location
also means relatively easy access by road to Orly Airport, which is a 15 to 20
minutes' drive away.
Rooms
Basic rooms with shared or en-suite bathrooms -- some prone to noise
The hotel's 47
rooms are bright and basic with simple wooden furnishings, bare walls, and
colorful fabrics. Rooms have various combination of amenities from those with
TVs and en-suite bathrooms to those with little beyond shared bathroom
facilities. Toilets are located on each floor and showers are situated on the
first and fourth floors; they're prone to mustiness and moisture. Noise from the
street and neighboring rooms can also be an issue. Wi-Fi is free of charge in
all rooms throughout the property.
Features
Simple buffet breakfast served on an outdoor terrace in warm weather
A buffet
breakfast of tea, coffee, milk, orange juice, croissant, breads, and cereals is
served each morning in the bright breakfast room or on the terrace during
warmer months; it's not included in the rates but it is not expensive. A computer
terminal is also available for guests' use and there's plenty of tourist
information, including maps, available. There is no full restaurant or gym, and few common areas.
