Plug-Inn Boutique Hostel

Located in the Abbesses-Montmartre neighborhood, the Plug-Inn Boutique Hostel has a fun and funky flair about it that attracts backpackers du monde. The price is right, especially with extras like free breakfast and Wi-Fi. It is situated between the Place Blanche and the Sacré Coeur on a quiet street adjacent to the lively Rue Des Abbesses that's filled with lots of great cheap eats.

The Plug-Inn is another case of an established hotel that transformed itself into a hostel. Similar to the Absolute Hostel, rooms are either private or dorm-style. In both you’ll find simple furnishings and well-worn blankets in effervescent shades of raspberry, orange and yellow.

Things are simple: Only private rooms have a TV (although there’s a new flat-screen television in the lobby) and none have a telephone or air conditioning. Fans are available upon request during the summer. The bathrooms and showers are outfitted with new showers, sinks, toilets and mirrors with flattering lighting. Rates reflect these basic features: shared rooms average €48 per person per night; doubles range from around €126 to €187 per night in the peak season.

Things are colorful and fun throughout the hostel. Modern cylindrical and party-hat-shaped light fixtures in primary colors hang throughout, and stairwell lighting is movement-activated, so there’s no stumbling around in the dark for a light switch.

During one of our visits, we found the Plug-Inn’s free Internet station, groovy television lounge and lobby (lined in faux-cowhide) bubbling over with conversations in at least four different languages.

Breakfast is included in the room rate, and Wi-Fi is free throughout.

Location

The hostel is located in the fun and trendy Abbesses-Montmartre neighborhood close to an eclectic mix of shops, bars, cafés, and ethnic restaurants. Three Métro lines are nearby.