HotelChatter

Room Reaction
At an average rate of about forty euros (about $60) a night, the actual accommodations at Hotel du Mont Blanc are strictly functional. Don't expect any fancy flourishes here. Rooms are basic, if not a bit small (this is Paris, after all), but hey, they do come with televisions.

The beds aren't anything to write home about, but they're comfortable enough, and the maids do a nice job keeping them tidy. Plus, this is one of the few cheap hotels in the neighborhood that offers triples, which is ideal for travel with friends. Families and couples, however, might want to look elsewhere for more spacious and romantic digs, respectively.

Skimping in the Bathroom
When it comes to decor, most attention seems to be lavished on the bathrooms, which seem to be recently refurbished. Curiously, the showers don't come with any curtains, but instead with a truncated piece of glass that only extends about a foot or two down the length of the tub. Despite best attempts otherwise, massive floor puddles are the inevitable byproduct.

Also missing from the bathroom is shampoo -- be sure to stock up on some in advance. If you forget, there's a pharmacy around the corner on Rue Saint Michel.

What's Missing Can Be Found Nearby
In fact, everything seems to be just around the corner. About a minute away at Boulevard Saint-Germain and Rue de la Harpe is an Internet cafe that's open late, but those looking to save a few euros during the day can venture a few blocks west on Saint-Germain and head into the Fnac, which houses a Mac store -- and thus free internet -- on the second floor.

Additionally, there are a litany of cafés and bistros in the area, but beware of tourist traps. Not all brasseries are created equal. Of course, you can always hit up the Hotel du Mont Blanc's dining room, which offers a 10 euro breakfast buffet.

The hotel website has this shot of a "strictly functional" room.

What's Really Wrong With the Place
Unfortunately, being a two-star establishment, the Hotel du Mont Blanc has its fair share of detractions. Light sleepers should avoid rooms that face the street. While Rue de la Huchette might be off-limits to cars, it still generates plenty of noise, thanks to the throngs of tourists who bustle along into the wee hours of the morning. Feeding off them are street performers and night clubs, each of which make their own unique contributions to the din, but none offend the eardrums more than the Greek restaurant across the way, which draws in customers by breaking plates in its doorway. That's right: hours and hours of shattering porcelain. Opa!

Anti-Views Galore
If possible, request a room facing the inner-courtyard, but be warned: a different set of problems may await you. The hotel has erected scaffolding in the courtyard, which means that construction workers and painters can literally walk directly into your room. Locking the windows is fine in theory, but the otherwise competent cleaning staff inevitably leaves the them wide open, despite requests to the contrary.

Protect Your Valuables
Making the situation more harrowing is that the rooms do not feature safes. The hotel allows you to check valuables at the front desk, but again, no safe is used. Instead, items are placed in a wardrobe behind the desk. Even more galling is that no receipts or security measures are taken to ensure that belongings return to the rightful owner. They don't even ask for ID. It's way too easy for your stuff to wind up in the hands of another guest... or a stranger off the street. It should be noted that the hotel's official website now features safes as amenities. Hopefully, they've upgraded their rooms and/or front desk accordingly.

Bottom Line
Nevertheless, there's still plenty working in Hotel du Mont Blanc's favor, mainly its price and location -- two things that absolutely cannot be overlooked. Security for personal items should be upgraded, but if this isn't a concern, then there's really no reason for travelers on a shoe-string budget to look elsewhere.

Tags: VIP Hotel Reviewer Series / Ben Mandelker / Paris Hotel Guide / Budget Hotels

by Ben Mandelker