25hours hotel Paris review: Convenience, culture and colour at this Gare du Nord hotel

25hours Hotel Paris Terminus Nord review

‘ 10th Arrondissement may not be one of the city’s most glamorous locations, but it is certainly one of its most convenient. And, arguably there’s no better hotel for easy connectivity than – particularly for those arriving into the city via the Eurostar.

Mere steps from Gare du Nord Station, you can’t miss the grand facade of the listed Haussman building which dates back to 1870. The hotel’s name is emblazoned in large gold lettering adorning the traditional iron balconies that are a hallmark of the city.

While the exterior of the hotel, all white shutters and window boxes, is quintessentially Parisian, inside an explosion of colour and bold design pays homage to the diverse cultures that call the 10th Arrondissement home. Murals of patterned rugs decorate the floor of the upper level, while colourful palms and street art give a nod to the African and Indian influence of the surrounding neighbourhood.

The hotel’s interior design feels somewhat like a journey, with each space taking you to a different part of the world.

Though 25hours is a global brand, with 17 outposts in destinations including Frankfurt, Cologne, Florence and Dubai (to name just a few) Terminus Nord has a distinct boutique feel.

The split-level lobby, with its wrought iron staircase, doubles up as a concierge area turned bazar, with stalls and shelves adorned with trinkets, eco-friendly accessories and souvenirs to help you remember your stay. In keeping with the city of love, a typewriter on the upper level invites guests to pen their own love letters. Then, simply head to the concierge where you can buy a stamp and have the letter posted.

Despite how busy the hotel can be, the concierge desk rarely had a queue throughout our stay, and check-in was an easy process. Concierge staff are friendly and welcoming, and on hand to help out with anything you might need (which in our case included a corkscrew).

Rooms can be accessed via two lifts, both of which require the use of a room keycard to travel to the guest floors.

The Rooms

Rating: 3.5/5

Rooms are accessed via a maze of bright pink corridors, where pixelated mosaics of space invaders mark the room numbers. This is, of course, a nod to the street artist Invader, known for his arcade-influenced works which can be spotted around the city. The hotel is a well-beaten path due to its location, so corridors are beginning to show the wear of the busy traffic which passes through each day. With that said, corridors and rooms seem to be well-sound-proofed, so you are unlikely to be disturbed by fellow guests.

Given the diversity of travellers visiting the hotel, from business travellers to families, 25hours has 235 rooms in varying sizes to match most needs. Small rooms are ideal for solo travellers, with a cosy single bed and petite desk space. Rooms then increase in size, gradually expanding through Medium, Medium Plus, Large, Large Plus and Extra Large and Extra Large Plus (some of which are blessed with a free-standing bath to relax in at the end of a busy day exploring).

All room types feature plenty of outlets for charging devices, plus an entirely complimentary mini-fridge (contents include water, soda, beers and crisps).

For our stay, we were handed the keys to an Extra Large Plus room – an eclectic blend of African and Asian influence, all the while paying homage to the grand Gare du Nord. Walls are painted in a deep purple, while African textiles adorn the king-sized bed. Plum-coloured voile curtains, a red rotary phone, brass bedside lighting and a light-up sign reading ‘Applause’ transport you to a French boudoir. In keeping with the theme, lighting is dimly lit, which sets a mood but can make the room feel dark.

Bollywood-inspired artwork pays homage to the golden years of rail travel, while vintage luggage stickers give a nod to the nearby train station. A coffee-table book featuring photo essays on local people provides an interesting insight into the melting pot of cultures that call the 10th Arrondissement home.

Though even the largest rooms are somewhat compact, as is typical of a Parisian inner-city hotel, the space is well-used. A large bench at the end of the bed offers somewhere to store luggage, along with a mobile hanging rack for clothes and a desk area to catch up on work.

Topping off the quintessential Parisian stay are the French doors, which open to reveal your own wrought-iron balcony giving way to impressive views of Gare du Nord and its Greek goddess statues which tower overhead. Complete with a table and stools, it offers somewhere to sit and watch the world go by, but equally, it does become a source of noise, even once the doors are shut. During our stay, road works were in action which meant that we were awoken bright and early by the noise each morning – something to bear in mind if you’re eager for a balcony room but are a light sleeper.

The bathroom is a pink-hued space, with contrasting tiles in the shower, Hollywood-reminiscent orb lighting on the mirror and a colourful Moroccan ceramic sink. While the toilet is separated in a private room, the shower and sink are both in view of the bedroom. Though it’s a clever use of the space, it lacks privacy for guests travelling in pairs.

There is a waterfall shower and separate shower head, as well as complimentary organic toiletries branded with the eco-friendly reminder to “Stop the Water While Using Me!”

Dining and Drinking

Before entering NENI, you’ll notice a vintage Citroen Acadiane serving coffee to-go. Once inside the restaurant, the vibrant colour scheme of the wider hotel transforms into a softer, pink palette. Velvet chairs, marble tables and copper accents create a feminine theme, with pastel-hued light fixtures hung overhead.

Breakfast is an eclectic buffet of hot and cold dishes, including the usual fare of eggs, cheese, pastries and breads, but also eastern Mediterranean-infused dishes including hummus, olive aioli and pickled vegetables.

Sape Bar is a laid-back, dimly lit affair, akin to a gentleman’s club. At the heart of the space is the bar, made of intricately placed bronze-coloured mosaic glass, while cosy leather armchairs offer somewhere inviting to sip on a cocktail.

Location

Rating: 4/5

Value For Money

Rating: 5/5

Rates vary depending on dates and demand but typically start at €170 per night for a medium room (approximately £141). Find rooms and book directly on the .

Or, compare deals and prices for a stay at 25hours Hotel Paris Terminus Nord with or .

Final Verdict

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