Ibis Budget Paris La Villette

The Ibis Budget Paris La Villette makes a colorful first impression. Its lobby is an open, airy space with contemporary decor. The front desk is located on the back wall in the center of the room, flanked by two lounge areas where guests gather to read guide books or connect to the hotel’s free Wi-Fi. There’s also a helpful snack area with a few vending machines and a microwave. Dark gray, blue, and bright green tones give the space a funky vibe that feels fresh and fun. Two-story windows let in lots of natural light and overlook the busy residential street outside. Guests at the Ibis range from young hostel types, to middle age couples, to families with young children. The atmosphere is quiet throughout the day and night -- this isn’t the type of sceney hotel where guests choose to stick around. Most people spend their days out in the city and return at night only to go to bed. 

The Ibis Budget Paris La Vilette is located on avenue Jean Jaurès in the 19th Arrondissement. The area immediately surrounding the hotel is a working class residential neighborhood that few tourists ever visit. Some travelers may find the 19th a bit seedy, but this once derelict part of Paris has seen great changes in recent years. The Ibis is located one block from the family-friendly Basin de la Villette and is a 15-minute walk from the adjacent Parc La Villette, where hundreds of Parisians can be spotted strolling and picnicking on a sunny day. The popular Parc des Buttes Chaumont and the trendy Canal St. Martin neighborhood are also within a 15-minute walk. Unfortunately, reaching central Paris attractions -- like the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and Luxembourg Gardens -- can take between 30 and 45 minutes on the metro, which is a block away. Guests can reach Charles de Gaulle Airport in 47 minutes, or drive there in 32. 

Sadly, the vibrant, trendy look of the lobby doesn't quite reach guests rooms at Ibis Budget La Villette. They're simple and sterile enough to feel like a bit of a killjoy. Pale blue walls, white sheets, and fluorescent lighting look clinical, while wall-mounted TVs and laminate chair rails only enforce the aesthetic. Rooms are equipped with one double or three single beds -- some of which are bunked. Additional furniture includes a tiny laminate desk and plastic stool, and the “closet” consists of a wall hook with a single hanger. Except for the toilet, which is housed in a separate vestibule, bathrooms are completely open to the rest of the bedroom. Semi-frosted shower doors offer little in the way of privacy, and there’s minimal counter space around the sink. Despite their limitations, rooms are perfectly suitable for travelers who just need a place to sleep. Guests will likely notice some wear and tear throughout, like nicked furniture and peeling laminate, but rooms are clean and otherwise well maintained.  

There aren’t too many amenities at the Ibis Budget La Villette, but rates this low usually don’t suggest indoor pools, spas, or fitness centers. Instead, the Ibis has free Wi-Fi and a large breakfast room that serves a cheap continental breakfast each morning. The hotel’s Wi-Fi is fast and works well across the property. The breakfast isn’t anything to write home about -- think dry cereal, mass-produced croissants, and coffee from a machine -- but it’s affordable, and even included in most room rates. The breakfast room resembles the lobby, with a bold color scheme, contemporary furniture, and cool wall murals. It also has a lovely outdoor patio.