Fodor's Expert Review Hôtel Le St-Paul

Perched at the edge of the antiques district, this basic four-story hotel in a 19th-century building is near art galleries, the Marché du Vieux Ports, and the train station. It offers excellent value, private baths/showers and a young crowd. The owner is often on site, making everyone feel welcome.

This hotel offers exceptional value, but if you want something a bit more posh and private, the hotel has a fancy annex called Gite Côte de la Montagne. It has a loft, big rooms, exposed rafters, and wood floors.

room

Rooms have fluffy white bedding with contrasting blankets, standard tub chairs, two-tone walls, wooden headboards, Nespresso machines, cable television, and more. Some rooms have exposed brick and/or stone walls and fireplaces.

YOU SHOULD KNOW Not all rooms are renovated. Be sure to ask for an updated room when you book. Some rooms get ambient street noise, due to single-pane windows.

bathroom

All guest rooms come with private bathrooms. Usually, that isn't noteworthy, but value hotels often have shared bathrooms in a hallway. Not here. The renovated bathrooms are grand, with modern fixtures and stylish layout. Some rooms have all-glass showers and "floating" sinks.

lobby

Like many heritage buildings, the lobby is modest, with no space to spare. Nobody minds. Unlike most buildings from that era, there are two huge windows flanking the front door. That keeps things bright.

dining

There's a free homemade breakfast included...and it usually exceeds all expectations. Think fluffy French toast and good coffee. It's served in Le Varavin, the French bistro and vine bar in the hotel lobby. It's a snug place to revive the spirit after a day of sightseeing. Come summer, the terrace open, with views of the Old Port market.

drinking

Le Veravin, as the name suggests, has a bountiful vine collection on site, behind glass, in a vintage rack. Many labels are offered by the glass.