Hotel des Nations St-Germain

Hotel des Nations St-Germain occupies a classic Parisian building fronting a busy street lined with small shops. The front door opens into an entryway with geometric floor tiles that continue part way into the lobby, where the pattern is intentionally broken up by wood flooring. A staircase and an elevator sit immediately inside the foyer, with the bright and contemporary breakfast room to one side. On the other, there's a wood-paneled reception desk and lounge with a curved banquette accompanied by round nesting tables and several cushioned stools. Two of the tables double as chalk boards, with colored chalk left out for young artists to draw on (some are posted on the hotel's Facebook page). Most guests here are couples, with a few families mixed in, looking for affordable rates in an accessible neighborhood. 

The hotel is located in the 5th Arrondissement portion of the Latin Quarter, across the street from the Gallo-Roman ruins of Arenes de Lutece, and a four-minute walk from the charming Place de la Contrescarpe's terrace cafes. Two minutes farther is the buzzing Rue Mouffetard, an open-air market street with shops, bars, and restaurants. The iconic Pantheon, National Museum of Natural History, and botanical Jardin des Plantes are within an eight-minute walk, and it's twice that for the Luxembourg Gardens. It's closer to 20 minutes on foot for Notre Dame Cathedral and Sainte Chapelle (or similar journey times by metro), and the hotel is a two-minute walk from both Place Monge and Cardinal Lemoine stations, with bus stops equally close. Metro rides of approximately 40 minutes are required for reaching the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, and it's a 15-minute ride to Galeries Lafayette. Getting to Orly Airport is a 20-minute drive or twice that via public transit, and Charles de Gaulle Airport is a 40-minute drive, or one hour via public transit.  

Hotel des Nations St-Germain's 38 air-conditioned guest rooms have bright, modern decor, with eggshell blue or light gray walls and textured carpeting. Wallpapered accent walls add an interesting geometric print that echoes the floor tiles in the lobby. Rooms come with twin or double beds and simple, functional furnishings like small bedside tables and built-in corner shelves that provide a place for mugs and electric kettles. The only places to sit down are on small cushioned stools. Flat-screen TVs and minibars come standard, along with free Wi-Fi. Larger Triple and Quadruple Rooms add either one or two twin-size sofa beds. The bathrooms vary widely; some are small and cramped with tiny walk-in showers, others have shower/tub combos, and some have more modern tiled rainfall showers with removable handheld showerheads.

The hotel offers little in the way of features, though it covers the basics for a comfortable stay, and several past guests have noted excellent service from staff. Breakfast is offered for a fee (though it's included for guests who book directly) in a bright, contemporary room adjacent to the lobby. Two options are available; a full version with scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausages, or a less expensive continental breakfast that includes pastries and jam (the latter can be delivered to guest rooms). There's no full restaurant or fitness center, but the lobby has an honesty bar with a coffee machine and snacks, and there's a storage room for luggage. Wi-Fi is free throughout.