Off to bed now kiddies! (Hostel Caulaincourt Square (Paris, France))

Member Name: bkecky

Product:	Hostel Caulaincourt Square (Paris, France)
Date:	03/09/09 (38 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Nice safe and pleasant location

Disadvantages: Indifferent staff, rooms dated

I stayed at this hostel for four days a while back whilst I was searching for a Paris apartment. To be honest I booked it because it was one of the cheaper ones and it didn't seem to have any horrendous reviews such as cockroaches or damp sheets. This was my first time in a proper hostel dorm so bear that in mind when you read the review!

I arrived in the afternoon at the hostel, which is easily accessible by the metro to Lamarck-Caulaincourt. Actually I say easy but this metro station is one of the ones that takes the most hard work. I arrived at the station with backpack and suitcase in tow and followed the exit signs. I saw a lot of people queuing for the lift but thought them lazy and then started on my way up. It was then that I realised why they were all waiting for the lift. There were hundreds of steps! With a backpack and suitcase I was exhausted by the time I reached the fresh air. I followed the directions from the website and turned right only to be accosted by a further hundred and some odd steps to get to the hostel. This is one hilly place!

I went into reception or more like collapsed into reception and was suprised at how bright and pleasant it was. I showed my booking print-out and paid up front (which is compulsory) and they took a copy of my passport. Relatively easy but the receptionist was rather sharp and didn't have much of a tolerance for English speakers. I was on the third floor and alas there was no lift so I trekked up to the third floor and into my dorm. My dorm was for six people and although there were things scattered everywhere, it was empty. There were three sets of bunk beds and a bathroom. The sheets were really rough and the blanket was like one of those army type ones. They also weren't quite big enough for the bed. Yet the view from the window across Paris was absoloutely breathtaking. Being higher up you could observe the entire city. Sunsets and sunrises were spectacular. The bathroom had a shower but no towels were provided (I think this was down to my naivety rather than the hostels fault as i have now realised this is quite standard not to provide towels). I have to say that the picture on this review is rather flattering of the room. The decor was dated and in our room there was no table or chair. There was also no ladder to the top bunk so clambering in at night without treading on the person underneath was a real challenge.

One of the good things was that the internet was free and there were quite a few computers there. Although these were admittedly usually full, I think because it was free. There was also a continental breakfast included which was standard of what is expected in a hostel. A vending machine also served cold drinks and chocolate bars and crisps. There was also a kitchen if you wanted to do some cooking although I didn't use this. The downstairs toilet was also locked during the night time.

The thing I realy disliked was the curfew of 11pm. I thought this was far too early and didn't particularly like being told when I had to come in at night in a place I was paying for. Consequently there were a couple of nights were I stayed outside with the other rebels and bought some drinks from the local corner shop until someone took pity on us and let us in.

The area itself is lovely and there is a fantastic patisserie next door. I felt very safe being a girl on her own and the 24 hour shop was a real bonus. Those with walking difficulties may find this area a challenge though.

In all I had a good time at this hostel but really only through the people I met and it paled in comparison to the other Paris hostel I reviewed here. It is cheap but for me I thought that there was not a lot of effort put into maintaining the place possibly because the clientele were very young. There were quite a few English there and also Germans and Polish. I didn't meet any French or anyone from outside of Europe. My biggest disappointment was the couldn't-care-less attitude from the staff and I don't like being told to go to bed from the recreation area when I'm old enough to decide myself when I want to go to bed! Or being refused access to a toilet! If you are on a budget it is passable but don't be staying there too long and if you are intending on experiencing Parisian nightlife I recommend you find elsewhere.

Summary: If you are after an early night it is certainly the place to come