Avalon Hotel Paris Gare Du Nord

“How to be a bit basic and perfect at the same time.”

If you're looking for haute cuisine or even a full English, or if you're looking for sophisticated decor that looks like the Palace of Versailles, then keep walking because this is not the place for you. Yes the hotel may be a bit tired in places, but if you can look past that and appreciate what y… more

If you're looking for haute cuisine or even a full English, or if you're looking for sophisticated decor that looks like the Palace of Versailles, then keep walking because this is not the place for you. Yes the hotel may be a bit tired in places, but if you can look past that and appreciate what you are getting for your money then this is a really good place to stay. It is less than ten minutes walk from the Station Gare du Nord, so if you're in Paris for sightseeing from the UK then this place is perfect. It's important to say that whilst some parts look tired, the place is spotlessly clean. Breakfast is continental, and you can have as much as you like but don't go looking for sausages and black pudding because that's not going to end well for you unless you venture beyond the front door, it's Paris baby, live a little and have a continental breakfast, you can have sausage and bacon when you get home! The reception staff are all really nice people, and the friendliness and charisma they exude easily patches over any qualms one may have of this hotel not troubling Michelin. The rooms are compact and bijou with little in the way of storage, but you get a safe for your valuables, the shower was excellent and the plumbing works fine. The street outside is incredibly busy and noisy and seems like the emergency service vehicles all got new sirens last week and are running them in BUT when the French windows are closed, the sound insulation is very very good. We slept well on the very comfortable bed. We stayed for five nights and as I say the accommodation is basic, but absolutely perfect for what we were looking for, incredibly close to the railway station, an excellent boulanger just around the corner, pubs, cafes and restaurants all on hand for the evening too. The staff were brilliant, nothing was ever too much trouble for them and they all ways showed interest in the customers even if we were just passing through. Yes even you Ousamme, we thought you were great too - did you share that box of cakes we left?

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