Pros

  • 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
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Cons

  • 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
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Bottom Line

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.

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Internet

Oyster Hotel Review

Hotel Tolbiac

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.  

See More Scene

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.

See More Location

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. 

See More Rooms

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.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Hotel Tolbiac

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.  

See More Scene

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.

See More Location

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. 

See More Rooms

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.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Cribs

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Swim-Up Bar

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.