The People Paris Nation

I booked it for around 40,000 won a night. Firstly, the place is conveniently located right next to Nation station, and there are heaps of bakeries close by, which was a bonus. On the flip side, you need to hop on the subway to reach central Paris, which takes about 20-30 minutes from Nation station. Personally, I reckon it’s fine, considering that if I hadn’t chosen accommodation in the heart of Paris, I’d be spending a similar amount on transport anyway. The place had a really peaceful vibe and came with curtains. There was a storage cabinet underneath, but you need to bring your own lock. It was great that a 24-inch suitcase fit in nicely, but it was a bit of a hassle to lay it down to stow it away. The bathrooms are gender-segregated, and the shower area is within the bathroom. Generally, the hot water flows well, but occasionally when it rains, it doesn’t... Also, quite a few of the shower facilities were a bit dodgy, so there were only one or two decent stalls available. A hairdryer is provided in the bathroom, and there’s ample space in the shower area to hang clothes or towels. There’s a rooftop café and bar on the 6th floor, and guests can bring their own food to enjoy for free. I grabbed some bread from a nearby bakery in the morning and had a lovely time there. Plus, there’s a large supermarket right next door, which was fantastic. The downside is that the rooftop closes at 10 or 11 o'clock, so after that, there’s no dining option at the accommodation. The coffee and drinks available there are a bit pricey, so I’d suggest picking them up outside if you can. I visited in winter, so I didn’t sit outside much, but I reckon it would be lovely to relax there when the weather’s nice. You can also catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, though it’s a bit small.

The 4-bed dorm I stayed in was well-kept, clearly new, and had comfy beds. However, the air conditioning was a real pain, with the fan blasting at full speed and no way to turn it down. It felt like having a vacuum cleaner right next to my ear. The view of the square was brilliant! The rooftop restaurant is superb for breakfast, providing stunning views of the square and the Eiffel Tower in the distance. Overall, the stay was enjoyable. My main gripe is that the hostel isn’t really set up for travellers wanting to connect with others. The only social area is the rooftop restaurant, which feels more like a traditional eatery. There’s no other communal space. Be ready for extra costs: you need to buy everything, including a lock for the locker. Towels aren’t provided either. I wouldn’t say this hostel has the best atmosphere; it’s more suited to folks who prefer not to socialise much. In conclusion, while the amenities are nice, this hostel lacks the social vibe that many others have.

Perhaps due to the long-term guests, the room felt a bit stale and had an odour. There was a hairdryer in the bathroom, but during peak times like the evening, it shuts off after a minute. I checked another floor, and it was the same, which was a bit of a hassle. The shower room is compact but has several units, so it’s not too bad. I also appreciated that there’s a restaurant on the top floor; you can just pop in to relax. It’s nice to have beer and snacks, but I recall the operating hours weren’t very long, so be sure to check that! Staff are available at the check-in counter 24/7, and everyone was friendly. It’s only about a 3-minute stroll from the subway station, and there’s a large supermarket and a small café right next door. There’s also a plaza in front of the accommodation, along with nearby eateries and an ATM. It’s a decent spot for a long stay, but it’s a bit of a trek from the main tourist hotspots. However, since it’s affordable and offers great value for money, it makes up for that. One downside is that there’s no kitchen. You can take food to the restaurant on the top floor, but during dinner time, it gets quite busy, and there might not be enough seating, which is disappointing since you can’t cook.