Hotel Moderniste Paris: Should You Stay Here? – By Travel Expert
Planning an escape to Paris and scouting out places to stay in the French Capital? As someone who has visited the city 6 times and even lived in Paris during the summer of 2019, I’ve stayed in hotels, hostels, and apartments all over the city! And of them all, Hotel Moderniste Paris is one of the best. Here’s my full rundown of what to expect and what this boutique hotel has to offer based on my recent stay!
Disclaimer: All of these thoughts and experiences are my own. I was not paid or compensated in any way for my review of Hotel Moderniste Paris.
Hotel Moderniste: Key Takeaways
Biggest Pros: Great breakfast options, cool honesty bar, excellent customer service, and a fantastic location in a charming neighborhood!
Main Cons: This boutique hotel is on the more expensive side and is not centrally located in relation to the biggest tourist attractions. I also got stuck in an unfortunate situation on my balcony…🙈
Overall Rating: 🌟 9.5 / 10
Where Is Hotel Moderniste Located in Paris?
Hotel Moderniste is located in the 15th arrondissement. For those who don’t know, Paris is sectioned off into 20 neighborhoods or districts called arrondissements. The lower the number, the closer to the center of Paris the district is.
Now, you might be thinking that since Hôtel Moderniste is in the 15th arrondissement, all the best places to visit in Paris must be far away. I’ll admit, it does take a bit of time to reach some places.
That said, there are still lots of nearby tourist attractions and some great hidden gems — more on those later though 🤠 ! And just to give you a clear idea, here is the amount of time it takes to reach some of the top-rated tourist attractions from Hotel Moderniste!
- The Eiffel Tower: 35 minutes by metro, 45 minutes on foot
- Arc de Triomphe: 30 – 35 minutes by metro
- Musée de l’Orangerie: 25 minutes by metro | learn about visiting here
- Palais Garnier: 30 minutes by metro | discover my favorite building in Paris!
- Galeries Lafayette: 30 minutes by metro
- Montparnasse Tower: 15 minutes via nearby metro
- Roland Garros Stadium: 35 minutes via bus, 45 minutes via metro
✅ 🇫🇷 NOTE: You can click the names of the attractions above to check prices for entry tickets and other incredible Parisian experiences that I think are worth doing or have personally done! 🙂
In the map above, the 15th arrondissement is denoted by the orange pin. Landmarks are referenced by the purple pins, and the dark blue pin is Hotel Moderniste.
Finally, you’ll see the dark red/maroon colored pin on the northern part of the map. This pin represents Tribe Saint Ouen, another lovely 4-star hotel I’ve stayed at. I highly recommend checking it out if you’re looking for a more affordable place!
Hotel Moderniste Paris Review
Alright, now that you hopefully have a better idea of where the hotel is located, let’s talk about the specifics of the hotel!
By European standards, the hotel has 7 floors since the ground floor is counted as level 0. My room was on the 7th floor, or 8th floor according to American standards. I believe there are about 40 rooms, with 5 different types of room configurations and sizes.
I stayed in a small room, which is designed to comfortably fit 1-2 people. It came with a balcony that offers a nice view of the Paris cityscape!
Hotel Moderniste Paris Complaints
Alrighty, since my mom always told me to deliver bad news first, I begin with my two main complaints.
Balcony Door Sans Handle
Undoubtedly, my biggest complaint is that outside of my balcony door didn’t have a handle… Let me explain a series of unfortunate events that led to a near breakdown 😂.
When I entered my room, the first thing I did after putting down my luggage was check out the balcony. The room had the AC on blast, so like any sane person, I closed the balcony door behind me because I didn’t want all the cold air to escape.
After spending a few moments enjoying the pleasant view, I turned around to head back inside and saw there was no handle to grab. YAH GIRL WAS LOCKED OUT — *cue the panic*!
To make matters worse, it was 95°F (35°C), there was no shade (being on the top floor and all), and all I had on me was the room keycard and my phone.
Of course, it was during this lil crisis that my phone overheated and displayed that cruel message that says you’re phone needs to cool down before you can use it again…
So, basically, I was stranded on my balcony.
I thought about asking one of the nearby construction workers for help. The only problem was that my French vocabulary doesn’t really extend to, “Help, I’m trapped outside, can you please contact my hotel’s front desk?! 🙃 “
So, after lots of melting from the sun 🫠, I tried to pry the door open with my fingernails and keycard. To my immense surprise and relief, this actually worked! I “Hulk-ed” my way back into the room!
Was I a little traumatized? Yes, but it worked out in the end! And hey, this likely won’t happen to you if you’re not solo traveling! But, if you are, don’t close the balcony door!
More Expensive
The second negative is that this hotel is on the more expensive side. I’m not saying that prices were astronomical or unreasonably expensive, but this hotel cost me almost twice as opposed to my stay at Tribe Saint Ouen, which felt like a hotel of a similar caliber.
For reference, my two-night stay at Hotel Moderniste cost me $435 USD. Meanwhile, my two-night stay at the other 4-star hotel was $240 USD.
Looking back, this isn’t really a complaint or fault of the hotel because I knew the price of the hotel before booking it. But, having just stayed at the much cheaper place that was also lovely, paying nearly 2x more kind of hurt — both my soul and wallet 🥲.
Positives of Hotel Moderniste Paris
Despite my tragic balcony fiasco and the hotel being a little more pricey, there were quite a few positives that made up for the downsides.
1. Excellent Customer Service
First of all, I was a big fan of the hotel’s staff. They were all extremely friendly and helpful. Check-in was a breeze, and they asked me questions about what I planned to do in the city and if I needed any recommendations.
They even took the time to show me around the hotel and personally explain all the different services that the hotel had to offer. You genuinely feel like a valued guest and not like you’re just another guest at a giant hotel chain.
And for anyone concerned about whether the staff speaks English, everyone I interacted with spoke English well. So from my perspective, the hotel gets two thumbs up on customer service!
2. Expansive Breakfast
Next, the hotel offers quite an extensive and delicious French breakfast buffet every morning from 7 AM – 10 AM. It includes an assortment of drinks (coffee, tea, juices, etc.), lots of heavenly bread 🥖, eggs, bacon, cheese, fresh fruits, and yogurts.
It does cost an extra €20 per adult if you want breakfast. I went with this option since I’m someone who loves eating a lot at breakfast. And since it’s no secret that Paris is expensive, this was one of the more cost-effective options.
For any first-timers traveling to Paris, it can easily cost you $25 or more if you dine at a proper breakfast spot. Of course, if you just want to order a small cup of coffee and some pastries, I’d recommend exploring the charming nearby cafés!
3. Functional Yet Inviting Designs
Another positive is that the rooms are super well decorated and the hotel itself has a modern look. I’ve been to hotels that felt too dated hotels or austere, and in contrast, this hotel was perfect.
The rooms do lean on the smaller side, but it felt cozy and inviting, rather than cramped or uncomfortable. Also, the decorations were nice and minimalistic, which helped brighten and open the space a bit.
And a couple of features in particular that I liked were the small work desk and open shelving that doubled as a nightstand. You could easily fit and charge all your devices near your bed, which I valued and appreciated.
4. Honesty Bar
Another feature of the hotel that I thought was pretty cool is their honesty bar, which is open from 6 PM until midnight.
Essentially, you can drink from their collection of aperitifs, wines, champagnes, and other non-alcoholic drinks. Afterward, you report on a form whatever you drank, and the total is added to your room bill.
I want to note that I didn’t personally use the honesty bar since I got back from the Roland Garros tennis tournament past midnight. But, I still think it’s a fun concept and service that most people would enjoy.
5. Nice Bathroom
This one is more self-explanatory, but after a week of staying at the People Paris Nation hostel and using a communal bathroom, a private bathroom felt so luxurious.
They provide complimentary soaps and shampoos, which I know is fairly standard. That said, I found the scents and quality to be great. Also, I was a big fan of the rain shower head!
6. Thoughtful Details
Similarly, I was a big fan of all the little details. For instance, the room included a mini-fridge that was stocked with a medium-sized Brita bottle. After going through the hassle of changing hotels, having access to fresh, cold water was a welcomed sight!
And, during my stay, this Brita bottle was replenished daily by housekeeping. Again, it’s not much, but for any first-time visitors to France, you’ll discover that sourcing water isn’t always easy or free!
7. Balcony with a View
Even though I got stuck in an unfortunate situation initially, the balcony proved to be one of my favorite parts of my room!
It offered a great view of the surrounding area and proved to be the perfect spot to enjoy the sunset while getting a bit of work done on my laptop!
✅ 🇫🇷 Check rates & availability at Hôtel Moderniste
8. Quiet Neighborhood
Finally, I’d say a perk of the hotel is its quiet location. Sure, it’s not in the heart of the city, but as I mentioned in the beginning, you can easily reach most places via the metro.
The closest metro entrance is called, “Convention,” which is part of line 12 and about a 6-minute walk from the hotel. There are also a couple of bus stops that are ~5 minutes away on foot.
I opted to take the bus instead of the metro a couple of times when transiting between the French Open tennis tournament because it was simply faster or because the metro wasn’t running anymore. So it’s nice to know you have multiple convenient options for public transportation!
What Makes This Hotel Special
All in all, what sets Hotel Moderniste apart from other hotels in Paris that I’ve stayed in is the charming neighborhood and all the little details.
Specifically, I was a big fan of the nearby green spaces, such as Parc Georges Brassens and Parc André Citroën. There’s also a neat little path called La Petite Ceinture or “the little belt” that runs along what non-functional railway.
This pedestrian-only walking pathway almost connects the two parks I mentioned above and is fabulous for a peaceful afternoon stroll or morning jog. Just know you have to descend a level via stairs or an elevator to reach the pathway!
Oh, and there are an abundance of restaurants and cafés nearby so you can easily find a place to dine at.
As for the little details that really made the hotel unique and special, I thought the honesty bar was a cool concept and was most thankful for the Brita bottle with fresh cold water!
Rating for Hotel Moderniste Paris
With everything I’ve mentioned above in mind, you can likely tell, the hotel proved to be worth the price. But just to paint the full picture, here are my personal ratings for this boutique hotel!
- Cleanliness & Comfort: ⭐️ 10 / 10
- Neighborhood: ⭐️ 10 / 10
- Proximity to metro: ⭐️ 9 / 10
- Proximity to tourist attractions: ⭐️ 8.5 / 10
- Atmosphere and ambiance: ⭐️ 10 / 10
- Amenities: ⭐️ 10 / 10
- Customer Service: ⭐️ 10 / 10
- Overall Rating: ⭐️ 9.5 / 10
Who is this hotel ideal for: In my opinion, this hotel is an excellent choice for those who want to stay somewhere that isn’t directly in the heart of the city. It’s great if you value having safe and peaceful surroundings and don’t need all the extra frills that some of the more expensive, luxury hotels come with, such as spa service and rooftop pools.
This is an ideal choice for a small family, a romantic getaway, or even for solo travelers like myself! Not to mention, as a small, female solo traveler, I never felt unsafe while walking around late at night. Just remember to be aware of your surroundings no matter where you are.
Don’t Think This Is the Hotel for You?
Now, if you’ve read my review and don’t think it’s a great fit for you, that’s totally understandable. My goal isn’t to convince you to stay here, it’s simply to give you a better idea of what you can expect and determine if this hotel suits you!
If you’d like to explore other places to stay, here are some alternative options. These recommendations are based on my previous stays in Paris!
Low-Cost Stays
- The People Paris Nation — lovely hostel, read my full recap! | ⭐️ 8.1 / 10
- Tribe Saint Ouen — 4-star hotel I thoroughly enjoyed staying at | ⭐️ 8.6 / 10
Mid-Range Stays
- The Pullman Paris — 4-star hotel w/ best views of Eiffel Tower | ⭐️ 8.6 / 10
- Chouchou Hotel — Trendy & popular 4-star hotel | ⭐️ 9.4 / 10
Luxury Stays
- Hotel Le Walt Paris — Upscale 4-star hotel with Eiffel Tower views | ⭐️ 8.9 / 10
- Intercontinental Paris Le Grand — 5-star hotel right in heart of the city | ⭐️ 8.6 / 10
- Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris — Stunning 5-star hotel | ⭐️ 10 / 10
- This hotel has 4 restaurants on site & is right next to Arc de Triomphe
You can also check out additional housing options with the interactive map below! The prices are current, but you can get the most accurate prices by entering your specific travel dates and utilizing the filters!
Visiting Paris: FAQ
There are 5 types of rooms available at Hotel Moderniste Paris: Small rooms and medium rooms, both meant for 1-2 people, large rooms that can accommodate 1-3 people, large quad rooms that can fit up to 4 people, and adjoining 5, which can comfortably accommodate 5 people.
Each room has high-speed wifi, a mini-fridge, a private bathroom with a rain shower, complimentary toiletries, and a small work desk.
Additionally, there is a well-decorated winter garden room where a large French breakfast buffet is served daily. You can also order lunch and dinner from their menu, but options are limited. And at night, they have an honesty bar available here.
This spacious winter garden room also doubles as a working space. So, if you need to do a business meeting or work remotely, this is a nice space to do so. There are also complimentary madeleines, tea, coffee, and hot chocolate available here.
A small room at Hotel Moderniste costs about $175 USD per night, while a large room that fits 4 can cost $275 – 325 USD per night. That said, prices fluctuate depending on the season and whether major events, such as Paris Fashion Week, the Summer Olympics, and the Roland Garros Tennis Tournament, are going on!
Yes — Even as a budget travel expert who visits the city almost annually, Paris is consistently one of the most expensive European destinations to visit. Usually, the most offending cost is housing. But, if there’s anything I learned throughout my many trips is that you get what you pay for, and safety is worth paying for!
Bottom Line: Should you Stay at Hotel Moderniste in Paris? (2024)
As someone who recently stayed at this charming boutique hotel for a few nights while in Paris for the highly anticipated annual Roland Garros tennis tournament, I’m happy to report this hotel is a marvelous place to stay!
Sure, some improvements that could be made…like a handle to get back inside from the balcony. 🙈 But, aside from that, almost everything else about this boutique hotel is simply divine. From the minimalist yet chic decor to the splendid breakfast buffet and welcoming staff, this hotel does not disappoint.
Thus, if you have the budget and are in the market for a place that isn’t over the top, is conveniently located near a metro station, and is in a generally safe area, I highly recommend booking Hotel Moderniste for your next stay in the French capital!
Read More About France
🥖 Paris: Want to avoid culture shock? Learn what to expect when visiting Paris and whether or not the French capital is worth all the attention it gets! Or find out how Paris stacks up against Milan, the Fashion capital of Europe!
🏖️ Nice: Read my favorite city in all of France! Located along the gorgeous French Riviera, this city is full of amazing food and unbeatable views and is the perfect place whether you’re keen on visiting Monaco or exploring some charming French villages!
🏄♀️ Biarritz: Looking for an affordable coastal escape? Check out the idyllic seaside town of Biarritz, which is full of fun activities and stunning views!
🍷 Lyon: Spending a few days exploring little Paris? Be sure to discover the exquisite wine-tasting region right outside the city center!
🏰 Toulouse: Famous for its pink architecture, Toulouse is worth visiting to taste its delicious food and learn about its fascinating history. It’s also the perfect home base for some incredible day trips, such as to the medieval city of Carcassonne!
