Ibis Paris Montmartre 18eme

For a chain hotel, this Ibis has lots of bold, modern design elements in its public spaces. Gray floors and walls in the lobby and soft overhead lighting give it a dark, urban ambiance. A large graffiti-like mural of various words and graphics is suspended in the ceiling opening onto the reception area where several computer stations allow guests to register themselves. A corner sitting area with a TV has several Eames molded plastic chairs and a bench sofa in bright whites, blues, and reds. It’s also a dark space that rests under the staircase. A far wall sports a chalkboard mural with various Internet buzzwords written above two computer workstations. The backlit bar is brighter and more open, with white and red accents. Guests at this quiet hotel tend to spend their time exploring the lively and colorful Montmarte neighborhood just outside rather than linger in the hotel. 

The Ibis enjoys a convenient location at the foot of Montmartre, just a brief walk from world-famous Moulin Rouge, a subway station, and many nightclubs and cafes. Despite the abundance of sex shops, the red-light district is a safe and lively neighborhood, popular with tourists and locals alike, with a strong Parisian flavor. Charming Montmarte is a short subway ride from central Paris and all of its attractions, yet it has a separate village feel. The area has historical significance and was once home to many famous artists' studios including Monet, Picasso, and Dali. Local artists still flock to Place du Tertre and set up their easels. Walkable Sacre Coeur offers spectacular views of Paris.

• Four-minute walk to Place de Clichy Metro station
• Four-minute walk to the Moulin Rouge
• 12-minute walk to Place du Tertre
• 15-minute walk to Sacre Coeur
• 15 minutes to Gare Du Nord (Eurostar train station) by public transportation
• 20 minutes to L’Arc de Triomphe by public transportation
• 26 minutes to Louvre Museum by public transportation
• 31 minutes to Eiffel Tower and Champ-de-Mars by public transportation
• 33 minutes to Notre Dame Cathedral by public transportation
• 41 minutes to Luxembourg Gardens by public transportation
• 50 minutes to Orly Airport by public transportation (34-minute drive)
• 52 minutes to Charles de Gaulle International Airport by public transportation (30-minute drive)

The clean and tidy guest rooms at Ibis Paris Montmartre are basic yet pleasant, with ebony wood floors and modular wood furniture in a light finish. Headboards and nightstands are connected to benches with upholstered pads. Small desks rest directly below the equally small windows covered by solid beige drapes. In lieu of dressers, rooms have corner armoires with floor-to-ceiling shelves. Walls are painted white except for dark gray accent walls hung with an impressionist-style drawing of two reclining figures. Beds, which many past guests have praised for being comfortable, are made up in bright white linens. Bed options in the Standard rooms include one double, one double/one twin, and two twins. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Rooms are on the small side but not overly so by European standards. 

Bathrooms also are a bit small but functional, with narrow, wall-mounted acrylic vanities and white tile walls framing shower stalls with hand-held showerheads and clear glass doors. The rooms are generally quiet, but past guests have reported that street-facing rooms tend to be a bit noisier. Some rooms overlook the picturesque Montmarte Cemetery or the hotel courtyard. All windows open except in rooms on the first floor.

This large hotel has a mostly no-frills approach, which includes not having a full-service restaurant. But it does offer a breakfast buffet (for a fee), and there's a bar on-site serving a snacks menu, plus vending machines sell snacks and beverages. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, and the lobby has two computer workstations available for guests' use. Valet laundry and dry cleaning services are available, and pets are welcome for a small surcharge. Free newspapers are available at the front desk, where there is a safe deposit box guests can use. Free baggage storage is offered for guests. A 300-space, public parking lot is adjacent to the hotel.