Affordable contemporary accommodations, some with kitchenettes
Helpful in-room perks include mini-fridges and coffee/tea-making supplies
Clean and tidy spaces overall getting a fair amount of light
Unpretentious neighborhood, close to public transit
Free (if somewhat spotty) Wi-Fi throughout
Friendly, multilingual staff
No major attractions within walking distance
Rooms are small and not all have en-suite bathrooms
Street noise can be a problem
No elevator or air-conditioning
Very few common areas or on-site services
Breakfast costs extra
Situated in the outlying 20th Arrondissement, east of central Paris, Hotel de L'Union is an unapologetic budget hotel that promises affordable nightly rates and convenient metro access. Its contemporary-style accommodations are simple but serviceable, and some have kitchenettes that add another layer of practicality. Nevertheless, potential guests should carefully weigh the pros and cons before checking in. On the one hand, rooms here include amenities like mini-fridges, coffee/tea-making supplies, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi; on the other, they lack air-conditioning and, in some cases, private bathrooms. As for the property itself, there is no elevator, and the dearth of common areas leaves guests with few places to gather. If you’d prefer a hotel with the same pearl rating that offers more features in a more tourist-friendly location, consider the Campanile Paris 11 – Bastille instead.
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Scene
A plain, practical option for budget travelers
Boasting a classic metal-capped mansard roof and tall, railing-trimmed windows, the seven-story building this hotel occupies has far more character than the hotel itself. The little bare-bones lobby -- located on the second level and accessible only via a curving staircase -- underscores L'Union’s budget status. And, unless you count shared bathrooms, the only other common area is a wee breakfast room. The property lacks communal atmosphere as a result, or really any atmosphere at all. But the practical, budget-conscious guests who check in here are typically willing to make that trade for the hotel's rates and useful features.
Location
In the 20th Arrondissement with convenient metro links to central Paris
Hotel de L'Union is set above a store in a lively (read: noisy) part of eastern Paris. The surrounding streets -- some gentrified, some still gritty -- offer an ample supply of shops, bars and eateries, but there are no sights to speak of within walking distance. Indeed, the closest big-name attraction is the Père Lachaise Cemetery, a 10-minute trip away by public transit. The upside is that the hotel is right across from the Maraîchers Metro Station: Line 9 subways departing from there allow direct access to the trendy République and Oberkampf areas, plus the undeniably grand Grands Boulevards and the popular Trocadéro neighborhood. The Porte de Vincennes and Avron stations (serving line 1 and 2 respectively) are also within an eight-minute walk of the hotel. Both major airports are accessible by public transportation as well; however, if traffic cooperates, driving takes less than half the time. - One-minute walk to Maraîchers Metro Station
Rooms
Serviceable contemporary digs -- some with kitchenettes, others with shared bathrooms
The contemporary rooms here -- ranging in size from about 100- to 215-square feet -- can’t be called spacious; however, functional furnishings with a blond-wood finish allow them to cover travelers’ basic needs and large windows help keep them from feeling claustrophobic. All are relatively well-equipped, too. The higher categories feature flip-out sofa beds plus kitchenettes outfitted with stove-tops, sinks, utensils and assorted cookware; moreover, mini-fridges with bottled water (as opposed to fully stocked minibars), coffee/tea-making supplies, hairdryers, flat-screen TVs tuned to satellite channels, and free Wi-Fi are standard issue across the board. Unfortunately, air-conditioning isn’t -- fans are provided instead -- but guests may still be tempted to leave their windows open on warm nights, picking up street noise below (which can get rather loud). Not all include en-suite bathrooms either. While some accommodation categories offer small yet attractive three-piece numbers with glass-doored showers, others only have in-room sinks and access to shared toilet/shower facilities. Another drawback is the absence of an elevator, especially for guests on the upper floors, because hauling luggage (or even your tired sightseeing self) up a narrow curvy stairway can prove to be a daunting task.
Features
Low nightly rates translate into a shortage of hotel features.
Hotels can be pricey in Paris, and you generally get what you pay for, so guests should keep expectations in check when it comes to features at this two-and-a-half pearl property. Free (though not always reliable) Wi-Fi is available throughout; however, no other services are offered, and common areas are limited to the Lilliputian lobby (which is has a round-the-clock reception desk manned by friendly staffers, a safe, a rack of tourist info plus some space for luggage storage), and a bright but uninspired dining room where a mediocre continental breakfast is provided each morning at extra cost.
