Hotel de Suez

With a super-central location on Boulevard Saint-Michel between the Sorbonne and Place St-Michel, the Hotel de Suez won us over with its two-star rooms and very reasonable rates. It’s a friendly, flawlessly run operation, which shouldn’t be a surprise, given that it’s been welcoming guests since 1896.

The 49 rooms are spotless, well-equipped and surprisingly spacious (for Paris). As for décor, it’s a comfortable and old-fashioned place that has received recent upgrades, including pleasantly patterned wallpaper, funky headboards, and crisp, white bedding.

With the upgrades have come increased rates, although this is a general trend across many hotels in the city, renovations or no. Still, while average room rates are around €195 per night, the 151-square-foot rooms are a little more spacious than what’s available at many Parisian hotels.

All rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, telephone, hairdryer and safe. Our favorite rooms facing the street offer great views up and down Boulevard Saint-Michel and have soundproof windows. Some rooms offer delightful little balconies over the street.

Bathrooms boast original 1960's mosaic tiling that looks very hip today. Some showers have multi-jets (ask ahead), and most have ample space for toiletries.

The Hotel de Suez is equipped with an elevator, although (surprise, surprise!) it’s quite small. You may find yourself just opting for the stairs—which will get a little old if you’re on the fifth floor.

The receptionists are friendly and rightly proud of their hotel. Sitting downstairs in the cool lounge (with an eggshell ceiling, mod chairs and tables and a plasma television screen), we met nearly everyone on staff, many of whom have happily made long careers at the Suez. (That’s always a good sign.)

As for its rates, the hotel is a good value, although not always cheap. Still, it’s quite a bit less expensive than most nearby options, almost none of which are as well run or reliable as the Suez.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. A simple breakfast (cereal, croissants, coffee, etc.) is served for €11.

Location

If you’re dreaming of sleeping in the middle of the Left Bank action, you will love the location of the Hotel de Suez. It’s just three minutes away from the Jardin du Luxembourg, two minutes south of swanky Boulevard St-Germain, and a few more minutes up to the Seine (and Notre Dame).