Bastille Hostel — Hotel in Paris

Before I embellish on the headline, let me share some other frightening details about this establishment: WiFi only works between 12:30 pm and 1:00 am. You have absolutely no access to your room between the hours of 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm (even if you're staying in the same room for multiple nights) The bathrooms are such that there is one toilet every two floors; and when I say toilet, I exclusively mean toilet. So, when you're finished with your business, you have to go back upstairs to your room if you'd like to use a sink. By most worldly standards, this is not only disgusting, but a clear breach of sanity requirements. Now about that headline: Yes, I was staying in a single bedroom. Before going to sleep, I double-locked my door with the security lock. At approximately 4:00 am, a drunk guest thought my room was his and inserted his key card. Magically, his key card worked, and the security lock proved not to be strong enough, for he successfully entered my room and alarmed me from an otherwise deep sleep. Amidst the darkness, I tried explaining to him that he had the wrong room, but he wouldn't agree and he audaciously turned on my light and looked around. It took me a few moments to register just to what extent my privacy was being invaded. I immediately signaled the front desk and demanded a compensation. The receptionist told me to email Mr. Stephine, because it was too early to contact him at 4:00 am. It just so happened that I was checking out early that morning anyway, so I emailed Mr. Stephine after checking out. I did not hear back until a week later, with the response: "You should have signaled the problem immediately when it happened." I responded that this is exactly what I did. Once again, another ridiculous excuse: "We can't do anything by email; you'll have to see us at the front desk." One ridiculous excuse after another. If you enjoy being dictated by the front desk, tampering with sanity standards, and allowing your security to be breached, then this might be the right hostel for you. But, dear reader, I am assuming you uphold your dignity to higher standards and greater common sense. As such, I would advise you to stay far away...

A girl, travelling by herself, got sexually harassed by one of the staff. Before speaking to the manager a day later, every other staff member suggested she should "go talk to the guy." The guy who sexually harassed her said she didn't need to talk to the manager.

It is your typical, not so nice youth hostel. But it will pass. The nice thing is that rooms are equipped with private showers in the room.

Their so-called "luggage room" is the most foul-smelling place. It is not secure like they say it is - anyone could easily come in and grab whatever is unlocked.

By far the worst service I have ever received. I found out, 5 minutes before getting into my single, that my room key was missing. They had no idea where it was and said they would "create a new key" for me in the morning. I don't care how little money I paid for the hostel - bottom line is that I am still paying for a secure place to sleep at night. If they don't know where the room key is, I'm not sleeping in an unsecured room. I slept in my friends' room instead. When I tried to explain this to the guy in charge (but not the manager) and ask for my money back for at least 1 out of the 2 nights, he laughed in my face ("this is what you want to speak to the manager about?"). He was incredibly rude and refused to listen to what my friend and I were telling him. The best part? He claimed that the hostel's priority was safety. No stranger could have gotten past the doors to the rooms without the front desk inquiring for a hostel pass. FALSE. My friends got past the doors easily, and the guy behind the counter that time had never seen our faces before. Oh and how about that sexual assault the other night?

Crappy hostel, unbelievably terrible service, and ignorant staff. Judge...

If you need a cheap place to lay your head, this probably isn't the worst option. I will say this, the bed was pretty comfy for a thin mattress. You get one blanket and pillow, which I was there in June so I didn't know if it was warm enough for colder seasons.

The room is filthy. Lightly swept but has dirt caked in the sides. My shower was at the foot of the bunk bed, and a sink on the other side of that. You have to travel to a different floor for a toilet. There was only one outlet in the room, and it was weak so plugins would fall out in the night. We did have a wonderful window to keep open for a breeze in the summer, but you're located by bars and cafes. People will be loud all day, and until nearly 3am. This, for a college atmosphere, is not uncommon. But if you plan to travel hard, this isn't a good first stop or relaxing area.

Breakfast closes early. They kick you out 11-3 for cleaning. If you head out in the mornings after 9:30am they have often started mopping floors where you will be walking. Most of the building doesn't follow US fire safety code. The elevator is cramped and slow, so try to avoid it. Luggage room is a musty basement with racks, and water in odd places for the luggage. Highly recommend you have bag locks and a cable, a hard shell bag or to tuck fragile things in the center. Try to do backpacking, as a wheeled suitcase would be a monster here.

It is a little tricky to find, but Google Maps leads you right to it. It just has a tricky enterance. I ended up four nights here. Not terrible but definitely one of the worst places to try and rest in. No socialization area downstairs, it's crowded and awkward seating arrangement...