Hotel Mayet, located on the edge of the popular Latin Quarter of Paris, knows exactly what it means to be cheap and cheerful. With only 23 rooms, it is a boutique, contemporary hotel with friendly staff who are happy to answer just about any questions your may have.

The lobby is bright and comfortable; a great place to relax after a day of sightseeing or to plan your next one. The multicolored paintings balance the neutral cream of the large sofas, where you can lounge after grabbing a snack from the self serve food and drinks machines in the back. Free internet is also offered for all guests.

The rooms
The Mayet’s rooms are small, clean, and simple; bathrooms have either a shower or bath. The beds are soft and comfortable, and sit underneath a small but surprisingly powerful ceiling fan to keep you cool on those hot summer nights. As the hotel is not air conditioned, the fans and the large windows help, but light sleepers might be bothered. The furniture is basic but useful, so you can store your luggage without taking up any floor space around the bed. Continental breakfast is provided in the vaulted basement round a colourful table, and is a simple, self service meal. The Mayet is a comfortable and stylish hotel; a pleasant surprise for such reasonable rates!

The phrase ‘cheap & chic’ could have been coined to describe the Mayet. Tucked away in the fashionable 6th arrondisement, one minute’s walk from Metro Duroc, the Mayet is a design hotel for travellers who are both style and budget conscious.

Graffiti murals brighten the lobby proffering comfortable sofas to sit and relax. Local restaurant recommendations are chalked up on a blackboard next to reception. A free internet point with touch screen controls is typical of a hotel that is owned and run by the same team as the Artus – a hotel of modern simplicity in earthy colours (at twice the price).

The rooms
The rooms at the Mayet are not large, but hey this is Paris, in the 6th, and frankly what do you expect with rates as good as these? The walls are painted bottom half red, top half grey, and much of the furnishings will be recognised by those familiar with the Ikea catalogue – the office section. The beds (white and comfortable) are flanked by mini steel filing cabinets, and a simple clock dominates. There is a tv with cable channels, no a/c, but a globular ceiling fan operated by a matching remote control. Rooms on the front side have French windows, and those on the 5th floor open onto a small balcony.

The bathrooms are clean and simple – white tiles, white towels, dark grey floor. Baths have a shower attachment but lack a hook from which to hang it. Showers are small and have a curtain rather than a door. In some rooms, using the mirror on the back of the bathroom door, you can even watch tv from the bath – you can’t do that in every hotel!

A simple continental breakfast, included in the room rate, is served in the colourful, vaulted basement round a large table.

Stylish and affordable, the Mayet is a fun and funky hotel with a fresh spirit that is reflected by its youthful staff.