Ibis Budget Porte d'Aubervilliers: SHOCKINGLY Cheap Paris Stay?!
Ibis Budget Porte d'Aubervilliers: SHOCKINGLY Cheap Paris Stay?! - A Rollercoaster Review!
Alright, folks, buckle up! Because we're diving headfirst into the Ibis Budget Porte d'Aubervilliers, a place that promises a "shockingly cheap Paris stay." And, honestly? It is shockingly cheap. Which, as we’ll see, is both a blessing and a potential adventure. This isn't your typical glossy review. This is the raw, unvarnished truth, laced with a healthy dose of Parisian grit and my own personal, somewhat chaotic, experience.
The Bottom Line (Spoiler Alert): Expect budget basics. Don't expect luxury. Prepare for a functional, clean-ish basecamp from which to explore the City of Lights. And for the love of croissants, adjust your expectations accordingly. You get what you pay for.
Let's Get Messy: Accessibility & Safety – Keeping it Real
Okay, so first: Accessibility. The website says "Facilities for disabled guests." Great! But finding specifics feels a bit like searching for a decent baguette at 3 AM. I mean, the elevator is a lifesaver (I'm not personally in a wheelchair, but thinking of Paris cobblestones… oof!) but I wouldn't go betting the farm on super-slick, state-of-the-art accessibility throughout. It's probably functional, but call ahead and double-check if accessibility is crucial.
Cleanliness and Safety? – This is a big one, especially after… well, everything. They say they're using Anti-viral cleaning products. They also say they have Daily disinfection in common areas and Rooms sanitized between stays. They have Hand sanitizer everywhere (thank goodness!). They've obviously got a First aid kit. Okay, you feel the effort, which is a good starting point. I didn't see any visible grime, which is a win. However, some things felt a little… half-hearted. But hey, for a budget hotel, seeing the attempt is reassuring enough. I'd probably opt-in for the Room sanitization opt-out available (they let you opt out, which shows they're being cautious, good for them to think outside the box a bit).
Fire extinguishers and smoke alarms? Check and check. CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property? Yep. This is Paris, after all; you want a bit of security. Front desk [24-hour] is a HUGE plus. Especially when you're coming back from a late-night adventure (or disaster).
Rooms and Comfort - The Essential Parisian Nook
Alright, the rooms. They are… compact. Let's just say you won't be hosting a dance party. The beds were… surprisingly comfortable. Seriously. I was expecting a slab of plywood, but the mattress was adequate. The Air conditioning was a lifesaver in the summer heat (when it worked!). Blackout curtains are your friend when you’re trying to recover from jet lag. The Shower was tiny, but the water was hot. Thank god for that. You get Free Wi-Fi, which is essential for sanity and planning your daily Parisian adventures. I did manage to get a decent signal at least. Non-smoking rooms: obviously. Soundproof rooms: Well, it tried. You might still hear some noise, but it's not deafening. Basic, functional, and gets the job done. Alarm clock? Check. Desk? Tiny, but present. Extra long bed? Possibly.
More importantly, the experience:
I swear that's all I really needed. Somewhere to crash after a day of walking 20,000 steps, eating too much cheese, and accidentally ordering "escargots" when I clearly meant to order "steak frites." The most important thing? It was clean. And for the price, that's a win. The bathroom was your basic, functional affair. The shower pressure wasn't the greatest, but the water was hot. I’m pretty sure I left a trail of hair gel everywhere. I really tried to keep my belongings neatly stored, but I’m a mess.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking - Fueling Your Parisian Adventures (Kinda)
Okay, so let’s talk food. The Breakfast [buffet] is… present. Consider it fueling up, not a culinary masterpiece. Think basic continental breakfast. The Breakfast in room option might be better if you absolutely cannot face the buffet. The Asian breakfast or Asian cuisine in restaurant are probably not happening, so don’t get your hopes up. There’s a Coffee/tea in restaurant, which is essential. Bottle of water? Probably not provided. Snack bar? Potentially. Room service [24-hour]? I wouldn't count on it. There is a Convenience store, so you can grab some snacks before entering the rooms.
My expectations were low, and I wasn't disappointed, but not overly thrilled either.
Important note: This isn't a culinary destination. It's a place to grab a quick, functional breakfast before hitting the Parisian streets (which, let's be honest, is where you want to be eating).
Services and Conveniences - The Practical Stuff
Cash withdrawal? Yes. Luggage storage? Also yes, which is great because you can check out early and wander around. Daily housekeeping? Well, I think so. The room was tidied up each day. Elevator? Essential. Laundry service? Probably. Dry cleaning? Maybe not. Wi-Fi for special events? Probably not. The front desk staff were helpful. The staff was well-trained in safety protocol, which is vital.
Getting Around - Location, Location, Location… And Public Transport
Okay, here's where things get… interesting. Airport transfer? Might be an option, inquire. Car park [free of charge]? Fantastic! Car park [on-site]? Yep. Taxi service? Absolutely. Bicycle parking? Possibly. The location is okay. It's in the Porte d'Aubervilliers area, which is a bit… industrial. Let's be honest. It's not the Champs-Élysées. But it’s close to public transport. You can easily get to the city center via the metro, which is your best bet. So you're not exactly staying in a postcard-perfect neighborhood, but it's strategically located for exploring Paris.
Accessibility – A Necessary Note (Again)
I feel the need to double back on the Accessibility because it's important. Is it fully wheelchair accessible? I can't say for sure. You'll need to check the specifics based on your needs. The hotel claims to have some facilities, but I'm not going to vouch for a fully accessible experience.
For the Kids – Probably Not a Highlight
Babysitting service? Unlikely. Kids meal? Probably not. Family/child friendly? Maybe. This isn't really designed for families.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax - Not Exactly a Spa Day
Listen. This isn't that kind of hotel. There is no Pool with view. No Sauna or Spa. Fitness center? Forget it. The Terrace is probably a tiny concrete slab. You're here for Paris, not for lounging around the hotel. Embrace it! You'll find better ways to relax; I promise!
Final Ramblings and Emotional Reactions
So, is the Ibis Budget Porte d'Aubervilliers a glamorous vacation? Absolutely not. Is it a functional, clean, and shockingly cheap base camp for exploring Paris? Absolutely.
My overall experience? Okay. It did the job. It was a place to sleep, shower, and stash my luggage while I spent my days lost in the beauty and chaos of Paris. I wouldn't recommend it for a romantic getaway or a luxury holiday. But if you're on a budget and want to see Paris without blowing the bank on accommodation? Then, yeah, this is a contender.
Quirky Observation: I really appreciated the mini-TV in the room. I have no idea what the channels were like, it was good for some background noise while getting ready to head out.
Quirky Observation 2: The elevator was surprisingly slow, but it made me laugh a bit when I realized that the whole structure was probably 80% elevator shaft.
Final Verdict:
Score: 6.5/10 (It's a solid 6, but the price bumps it up to 6.5)
Would I stay again? Probably.
Here’s my offer: The “Parisian Starter Pack” at Ibis Budget Porte d'Aubervilliers!
Book your stay at the Ibis Budget Porte d'Aubervilliers and we'll throw in:
- Free Wi-Fi: So you don't have to worry about running out of data while figuring out the Metro.
- A free map of Paris: Because getting lost
Alright, buckle up Buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's itinerary. This is my post-pandemic, slightly-hungover, trying-to-be-romantic Parisian adventure, starting at the gloriously… budget-friendly Ibis Budget Porte d'Aubervilliers. Let's get brutally honest, shall we?
Day 1: Arrival, Existential Doubt, and Croissants (Maybe)
- 10:00 AM (Paris Time): Arrive at Charles de Gaulle. Pray to the travel gods that my luggage actually made it this time. Last trip? Lost for a week. Found it in… Morocco. Don't ask. Just… trust me, pack a spare toothbrush.
- 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Travel to Ibis Budget Porte d'Aubervilliers. The RER B train. Pray again. It's Paris, after all. Pretty sure the only thing reliable is the scent of stale cigarettes and the occasional overly-passionate argument.
- 12:30 - 1:00 PM: Check into the hotel. It's… clean. It's… functional. It's the budget, baby! My room? Small. Bed? That questionable. But hey, it's Paris! Who needs space when you're surrounded by art and history, right? (Cue the existential dread of tiny hotel rooms).
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch. Must. Have. Croissant. And coffee. This is crucial fuel for any Parisian mission. Locate the nearest real bakery. None of that pre-packaged stuff. If I can't find a truly authentic croissant, I'm going to have a full-blown meltdown.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The Marais! Let's get lost. This is my preferred method of navigating any new city: Pick a direction, wander, and hope for the best. The Marais is supposed to be magical, right? Art galleries! Boutiques! Maybe a charming cafe with outdoor seating! (Optimism intensifies).
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Cafe break. Essential. People-watching is a contact sport in Paris. I'll need a strong coffee, maybe a glass of wine. This is where I recharge – soak up the Parisian vibe, absorb the gossip, judge the outfits (in the most loving way possible, obviously).
- 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM: Lost? Probably. Found a cute vintage shop, though! My weakness. Try to resist the urge to buy everything. Fail inevitably but gracefully
- 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner. Trying to find a cute place that isn't insanely overpriced. My budget is budget for a reason, after all. Hopefully, no more of the pre-packaged stuff.
- 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM Evening Walk. I always imagine having a romantic strolling with my partner hand in hand, but I am alone. Oh well, I will keep moving.
- 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Back to the Ibis Budget for a night of… well, let's be honest, probably scrolling through Instagram and feeling a bit lonely. Hotel wifi is terrible, naturally.
Day 2: Louvre Trauma and Artistic Overload
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel (if the coffee machine actually works). I'm cautiously optimistic.
- 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: The Louvre. Oh, the Louvre. Prepare. Prepare your mind, your feet, and your soul. I'm mentally steeling myself for the crowds, the selfie sticks, and the sheer overwhelming beauty of it all. I WILL see the Mona Lisa. I WILL. (Probably from behind a wall of tourists).
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch near the Louvre. Try to find somewhere that isn't a total tourist trap. Pretend I know what I'm ordering on the menu. Fake it till you make it!
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: More Louvre. Honestly, I might need to break this up. Seriously, those crowds were intense. Wander around the Egyptian antiquities, maybe some Greek sculptures. Or maybe just sit on a bench and try not to have an existential crisis about the sheer scale of human creativity.
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Break the crowds! Time for a palate cleanser: A pastry. A ridiculously decadent, calorie-laden pastry. Maybe another coffee.
- 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Montmartre! Ah, the artists' district. Okay, this should be better. Hopefully, I'll escape the Louvre ennui and find some actual art and maybe some actual human connection. Soak in the vibe.
- 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner in Montmartre. Crepes? Steak frites? Maybe something weird and wonderful. Let's be adventurous (at least with food).
- 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: A walk around the Sacre Coeur if I'm feeling brave. Or just collapse in a cafe and drink more wine. I might be done at this point.
- 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Netflix and chill (literally, the room's probably freezing).
Day 3: Versailles and the Ultimate French Feeling (Maybe)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast (Repeat from Day 2 - slightly better than before).
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Versailles! The palace! The gardens! The sheer extravagance! Should be epic. Pray the train isn't delayed.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch at Versailles. Pretend I'm Marie Antoinette (briefly).
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Explore Versailles. Get lost in the gardens. Pretend I'm royal (again, briefly). The Hall of Mirrors will probably give me goosebumps. Or maybe I'll be overcome with the sheer absurdity of it all.
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Return to Paris. Another train journey.
- 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Free time! Shopping? Sightseeing? Napping? The possibilities are endless, and I'm exhausted.
- 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner. Maybe try a fancy restaurant. Maybe a cheap one. It depends on how the budget is holding up (and what I find that looks good).
- 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Pack. Sigh. Trip's almost over.
- 9:00 PM - Whenever: Finish last-minute souvenir shopping (and question every single purchase). Final night in the hotel, reflecting on the adventure, the triumphs, and the slight crushing defeat of a solo trip.
Day 4: Departure
- 9:00 AM: Last, desperate breakfast at the hotel.
- 10:00 AM: Check out. Try not to leave anything behind.
- 11:00 AM: Travel back to Charles de Gaulle. Hope the luggage makes it this time. And try not to cry too much as I leave Paris behind.
- 1:00 PM: Head home.
- 1:00 PM onwards: Plan my return trip, once the credit card bill has been dealt with.
This itinerary is a suggestion, people. It's a starting point. It's a promise of good intentions. It's a confession that things will probably go wildly off-plan. But that's part of the fun, right? The mess, the moments, the slightly-too-much-wine evenings, the art overload, and the sheer magic of Paris, even from the budget-friendly depths of Ibis Budget Porte d'Aubervilliers. Now, go forth and explore! And maybe, just maybe, bring me back a croissant.
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