The beautiful Gare de Lyon train station is one of the many attractions of the oft-overlooked 12th arrondissement. Photo: GagarinPost.
The upbeat 12th arrondissement of Paris is in a constant process of reinventing itself and today constitutes one of the city?s most modern districts, with several upscale urban renewal projects to its name. A predominantly business and residential district, the 12th was traditionally regarded as one the less touristy quarters of Paris. Today, however, visitors are coming to this area in increasingly large numbers for varying, but very good, reasons.
Easy to reach
First, the 12th is home to some very important transit hubs for the Metro, the RER and even the TGV. The busy Gare de Lyon and its annex, Gare de Bercy, as well as the Place de la Nation and the iconic Place de la Bastille all play host to swarms of travelers, commuters and tourists on their way to and from Paris and its many sights.
Great dining?
Second, the emergence of numerous affordable quality hotels and the large number of good restaurants and cafes in the peaceful neighborhood provides visitors with very attractive gastronomic and leisure options. And these are only growing as an increasing number of business travelers choose to stay in the 12th.
No shortage of entertainment
Third, various places of great artistic, ?green?, historical, sporting and commercial appeal add some interesting allure to the 12th. For example, the avant-garde Opera Bastille, the Cin?math?que Fran?aise in Bercy; the Mus?e des Arts Forains; the unique combination of the Viaduc des Arts and the Promenade Plant?e; le Bois de Vincennes (the largest public park in Paris); the Palais Omnisport de Bercy; the Bassin de L?Arsenal and the cozy shopping center Bercy Village are all in the radar of locals and visitors alike.
Unique shopping options
The?arrondissement?is also renowned for its specialized commercial quarters that mix modernity with history. These are devoted either to the fabrication or restoration of certain traditional crafts (i.e. furniture at the Faubourg St. Antoine) or to shops selling more contemporary items (i.e. electronics and computer items at Boulevard Diderot and rue de Charenton; hip boutiques at rue de Charonne).
Budget hotel picks
The number of very good affordable hotels in the 12th arrondissement is indeed high and, I believe, deserving of perhaps attention by EuroCheapo?s editors. Here are some of my picks (which I?d encourage the editors to check out for consideration as future ?Editor?s Picks?):
For a property of its quality, the Hotel du Printemps? rates are almost impossible to beat.
Hotel du Printemps
80 Boulevard de Picpus
Doubles from ?108
Its past guests have justly called Hotel du Printemps ?the hotel with the best value around Paris.? How else would you label a hotel ?de charme,? with such an outstanding staff; offering comfortable, clean, and nicely decorated rooms; situated in a leafy boulevard near the Metro, RER and numerous restaurants? And all this with prices starting as low as??92 for singles and??108 for doubles?!
Hotels with half of these qualities in Paris typically charge two or three times those prices. Additionally, whenever you need to write to hotels requesting for rate information or reservations, the Printemps is among the first to reply, in a thorough and transparent fashion, along with its neighbor, the Lux Hotel Picpus.
Lux Hotel Picpus
74 Boulevard de Picpus
Doubles from ?60
This little gem of a hotel is one of a select group of properties in the city that always ranks at the top of ?quality/price? rankings by guests. It provides room service, minibar, ensuite bathroom, hairdryer, safe, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV and phone?all in an ultra-clean and charming environment. Additionally, the Lux has one of the most professional staffs of any property in its category.
And would you believe that its rates start at??60 for singles and doubles? Indeed, there?s not a better candidate for the ?SuperCheapo? category.
Hotel Nouvel
24 Avenue du Bel air
Doubles from ?98
A charming and comfortable little hotel near Place de la Nation, the Nouvel has been run by the same family for three generations. Among other nice details, it?s gifted with an exquisite oasis of a garden. This is a real bargain with cozy rooms at only??98.
The Hotel de la Porte Dor?e offers nifty d?cor at prices that don?t sting.
Hotel De La Porte Dor?e
273 avenue Daumesnil
Doubles from??126.
Located in the vicinity of the Bois de Vincennes and just outside a Metro stop, the Hotel De La Porte Dor?e is?rightly celebrated for its comfortable rooms, which are individually decorated, air-conditioned and soundproofed as well as equipped with free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV and ensuite bathroom. This tastefully decorated property also has an elevator.
Grand Hotel Dor?
201 avenue Daumesnil
Doubles from from??130
Close to?Daumesnil Metro station, this is another comfortable property staffed by courteous, friendly and resourceful people and equipped with a lift. Fully renovated, it?s run by one of the oldest families in the Paris hotel business and offers a 24-hour reception and rooms with private bathroom, free Wi-Fi and a satellite TV. Rooms from??130 per night.
Hotel Viator
1 Rue Parrot
Doubles from??124
Exceedingly well located, just a five-minute walk from the Gare de Lyon, this clean and comfortable hotel, also praised for its staff, is another find in the area. As in other sleeps in the neighborhood, guest rooms at the Viator have a private bathroom and are equipped with flat-screen satellite TV and a telephone. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.
Hotel Palym
4 Rue Emile Gilbert
Doubles from??105
Another good hotel for the budget-conscious traveler, this quiet, tidy and welcoming place, situated in a prime location near Gare de Lyon, is?described by its guests as having nice rooms of decent size and a very good quality/price ratio.
The recently renovated Hotel de Reims offers exceptional value.
Hotel de Reims
26 Rue Hector Malot
Doubles from ?100
A favorite budget place of travelers who use the busy Gare de Lyon, the quiet, friendly and recently renovated H?tel de Reims offers all the customary creature comforts and consistently gets laudatory comments by past guests on account of location, service, and staff. A very good value for money, its doubles start at just??100.
Hotel Jules Cesar
52 Avenue Ledru-Rollin
Doubles from??111.
This tidy and snug little hotel with soundproofed and air-conditioned rooms, located between Gare de Lyon and Place de la Bastille, offers a solid value.
Hotel Helvetia
28 Boulevard Diderot
Doubles from ?80
Yet another convenient budget option near Gare de Lyon, the serviceable Helvetia offers en suite accommodation serviced by an elevator and equipped with TV and free Wi-Fi access, at prices as low as??80 for doubles.
Hotel Corail
23 Rue de Lyon
Doubles from ?95
Praised for its professional staff and low rates (doubles start at??95) this is another cheap option near the Gare de Lyon.
Hotel Adriatic
6 Bis Rue de Lyon
Doubles from ?85
A popular budget hotel in the proximity of the Gare de Lyon and the Place de la Bastille, the Adriatic is good value, with prices starting at??85 for double rooms.
Le Quartier Bercy Square is a well-priced hotel that offers a convenient location near the Omnisport.
Le Quartier Bercy-Square
33 boulevard de Reuilly
Doubles from ?98
A stylish property, close to a Metro station and to the Omnisport, this hotel receives high marks for its comfortable and modern rooms, its helpful and professional staff and its overall tidiness. Double rooms start at??98.
Sport Hotel
258 Avenue Daumesnil
Doubles from ?111
The Sport is a very sought-after hotel in the Bercy quarter, close to a Metro station. Regularly praised for its location and overall comfort as well as its superb breakfast, cleanliness and peacefulness, and professional (even ?fantastic?) staff.
Hotel Bel Air
6 rue de la vo?te
Doubles from ?135
This comfortable design hotel is also?located in the Bercy quarter and within walking distance of the Bois de Vincennes and the Ch?teau de Vincennes. Each soundproofed and stylish room is equipped with a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, a safety deposit box and an ensuite bathroom with free toiletries and a hairdryer. In addition, the property has a nice garden and its guests can access a kitchen area with various useful facilities.
Alfa Hotel Nation
12 Rue Gu?not
Doubles from ?47
Last, but not least, this hotel?officially located in the 11th arrondissement but geographically gravitating resolutely towards the Place de la Nation area?is a popular budget sleep in the ?SuperCheapo? vein. Located on a quiet residential street, it?s not only cheap but cheerful. All of its rooms are accessed by a lift and have ensuite bathrooms. They are all equipped with free Wi-Fi as well.
Doubles start at the astonishing price of ?47 (those with TV are slightly more) and triples at ?65! Its faithful clientele commend its excellent value, relaxing atmosphere, cleanness and special deals (for example, a seventh night is offered free to those guests that stay for six nights). And we thought it couldn?t get cheaper!
Do your stay in the 12th?
Do you enjoying staying in Paris? 12 arrondissement? Tell us why you choose it?and where you choose to stay. Leave a comment below.
About the author
Ernesto Guiraldes is a Chilean pediatrician and lives in Santiago. He graduated from the University of Chile and undertook postgraduate studies in the UK and Canada. He continues to travel extensively overseas, and always likes to do his homework before he goes. He believes that quality accommodation for the budget-conscious traveler has social and ethical value and should be nurtured and vigorously supported.
Source: http://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/paris-the-best-budget-hotels-in-the-12th-arrondissement.html
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