Many of the French capital’s cheapo-friendly hotels have upped the style stakes recently, refurbishing their lobbies and rooms and adopting a decidedly dapper feel. Here are just a few polished picks from our list of Paris hotels.

Mama Shelter

109, rue de Bagnolet
Neighborhood: Père Lachaise-Belleville
Doubles: €89 to €199

Want real style bang for your buck? Then look no further than this award-winning hotel designed by Philippe Starck. Slick rooms decked out in Starck’s signature tongue-in-cheek style feature iMacs, free Wi-Fi and microwaves, making Mama Shelter a no-brainer for those looking for a complete boutique hotel experience.

While it’s definitely not central, this neighborhood exudes hipster cool and is near the Père Lachaise cemetery and many of the city’s hottest new-wave bistros. Besides, with its swank restaurant menu created by Michelin-starred chef Alain Senderens, a laid-back little pizzeria, a hip cocktail bar featuring international DJs and a roof-top lounge, not to mention the free in-room movies and video games, you may never get back out the door.

Sleek, chic and boutique, the Jeff Hotel is an affordable option in a neat part of the ninth arrondissement. Photo by EuroCheapo.

Jeff Hotel

53, rue Richer
Neighborhood: Grand Boulevards
Doubles: €70 to €110

It’s tough to beat this small 2-star hotel for its prime location near l’Opéra Garnier. Most of the rooms have been remodeled in pleasing shades of warm gray, dusty purple and muted putty. Hardwood floors, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi and sleek baths give these rooms, some with spectacular views, an attractive, modern feel.

The Pink Hotel brings boutique style dressed up in, you guessed it, pink! Photo provided by the hotel.

Pink Hotel

20 bis, rue Dugommier
Neighborhood: Gare de Lyon
Doubles: €69 to €389

Recently renovated, this small boutique hotel offers 15 modern, clean rooms with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, toiletries in the bathrooms and yes, tasteful pink accents throughout. A large elevator, air conditioning and a breakfast room round out the amenities you’ll find at this friendly spot a stone’s throw from the Bastille and Gare de Lyon train station.

Note: Although the Pink Hotel’s rates fluctuate wildly, it’s often possible to book a room for under €100

Fresh, funky rooms come decked out with kitchenettes at Le 300, which overlooks the lovely Viaduc des Arts. Photo by EuroCheapo.

Le 300

11, rue Moreau
Neighborhood: Bastille
Doubles: €84 to €135

Another pick not far from the Bastille area is this gem of a hotel offering guests the convenience of in-room kitchenettes and the trendiness of a boutique-style atmosphere. Rooms, or “studios” as they’re called, are decorated in fun, vibrant colors, with modern furnishings and views on the elevated Viaduc des Arts garden. The bright breakfast room, with its outdoor patio in summer months, also has a view of this pretty, tree-studded park. The location, while not central when looking at a map, is actually very convenient, with access to three different Métro lines.

At the Grand Hotel Leveque, you can find comfortable, affordable rooms without sacrificing style. Photo by EuroCheapo.

Grand Hôtel Lévêque

29, rue Cler
Neighborhood: Near the Eiffel Tower
Doubles: €95 to €170

This solid value-for-money sleep is undergoing a floor-by-floor facelift. For a stylish stay, opt for the “Superior” rooms, with their voguish wallpaper and luxe furnishings. Bathrooms feel spa-like with complimentary toiletries and a pleasant, modern aesthetic. The reception and breakfast room are equally sleek. For a left-bank base close to the Eiffel Tower, this place, on a charming market street, is a bargain-seeker’s winner.

Want more?

Check out our guide to cheap hotels in Paris for clean, quality, cheapo-friendly hotels and hostels reviewed by our experts. If you’ve got questions, or even your own recommendations, feel free to leave a comment below.

The post Paris: 5 Budget hotels with boutique style appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But it is possible to find more contemporary design on the cheap and, to prove it, here are five places from our London listings that can claim to offer style on a shoestring.

Stylotel
160 Sussex Gardens, Paddington
Doubles from $145

This hotel is far from old-fashioned. In fact it looks far, far, far into the future for its design inspiration. The hotel has a space age-style theme that runs through every aspect of its décor, from the aluminum-paneled doors and the metallic light-box bedside tables, to the futuristic chairs in the breakfast room and the space pod-sized bathrooms.

If that all sounds like it’s a little too out-of-this-world for your tastes, take refuge in the pub over the road, The Sussex Arms, which is also owned by the hotel. The pub wins high praise for its blend of contemporary cool and glamorous vintage, and it does a good line in traditional pints too.

The ibis Styles chain has low rates and nice design. (Photo courtesy of the hotel.)

ibis Styles London Southwark Rose
47 Southwark Bridge Road, London Bridge
Double from $146 to $565

By combining the reliability of the ibis chain with some of the flair of more boutique offerings, the “ibis Styles” hotels aim to appeal to the kind of budget travelers with a taste for contemporary style. They seem to have hit on something of successful formula, as London alone is already host to four ibis Styles hotels. Each hotel is decorated in a different manner but the general design principle seems to be bright, bold and colorful and, reassuringly, the chain particularly prides itself on the comfort of its beds.

Housed in a modern building, the Southwark Rose (typically for London) draws some criticism for the size of its bedrooms, but wins extra style points because of its location. Close to Tate Modern and many of the city’s most fashionable restaurants and boutiques, it’s a great base for investigating London’s trend-setting claims.

YHA Oxford Street
14 Noel Street, Soho

Think of YHA Oxford Street and think pink. You might never guess from its seemingly dark back street entrance but this hostel is a hot bed of hot pink. This color has been used throughout the hostel to give it a fresh and contemporary look: hot pink walls in the kitchen complement the chrome fittings; pink walls in the lounge to offset the lime green bedspreads. Even the bathrooms are decorated in – you guessed it – hot pink.

The color scheme aside, there’s other thoughtful design touches that help reinforce this hostel’s strong reputation: each dorm bed gets its own reading light for example. Don’t overlook its excellent location either. If you fancy having a bit of a splurge on style, it’s only a couple of minutes walk from the world-famous shops of Oxford Street.

The Clink offers cheapo dorms and common spaces, like lounges (above) and a guest kitchen, with style.

Clink261
261–265 Grays Inn Road, King’s Cross
Doubles $65 to $72

Clink261 is a basic backpacker’s hostel that manages to create something of a groovy vibe, thanks due in a large part to its Austin Power-like furnishings. This hostel compensates for complaints about the too-crammed dorms by the wild decoration of its communal areas. The kitchen has glossy red tables and a striking black-and-white check floor, while purple leather sofas and original artworks make the lounge look like an inviting place to hang out.

And if you would rather head out, the surrounding area of King’s Cross is becoming an increasingly stylish destination. The renowned Central Saint Martins School of Art and Design has recently relocated nearby, bringing with it a slew of new and cool bars and cafes to explore.

Arosfa Hotel
83 Gower Street, Bloomsbury

It would never be described as a design hotel, but the Arosfa Hotel warrants a honorable mention for showing how traditional family hotels don’t always have to be chintzy. This beautiful old Bloomsbury building is decorated in a way that’s full of personality, mixing the traditional – such as antique clocks – with contemporary touches – like ’60s-style clear plastic chairs.

The lounge is decorated with eye-catching black-and-white imagery of London, and sofas topped with Union Jack cushions, while the well cared for garden is an unexpected delight. It’s the small touches that win the Arosfa praise, a compliment that applies to its welcoming owners every bit as much as it does to the décor.

More options?

Would you like more budget hotel options for London? Check out the listings in our London guide, including dozens of “Editor’s Picks” that have been visited, inspected and approved.

The post London: 5 budget hotels with style appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

There are a few hotels and hostals in Barcelona that rise above the rest, designer Cheapos that are easy on the eyes. Here are three for those who are decor-sensitive:

Gat Xino
El Raval

Sometimes, as the saying goes, less is more. Minimal and modern, Gat Xino gets points for its chalk white bedspreads and walls, simple closets, flat-screen televisions and abstract artwork. The color palette used throughout the hostal is lime, charcoal and printer-paper white.

We love the Fashion House's outdoor patio.

This first-rate, two-star hostal is hip and comes with a ton of perks, such as a chill-out lounge on the roof and a sun-filled breakfast room. The only drawback is its slightly shabby neighborhood, but the owners have priced rooms accordingly, and the ‘hood may even be a benefit for the right kind of person.

Fashion House
Eixample

One of my long-standing faves, Fashion House’s owners have good taste. While the owners left the B&B’s rooms in soft tones, simply decorated and with wicker furnishings, they went to town in the living room. Here you’ll feel tempted to plop yourself down by the fireplace and read a book in the over-stuffed armchair, or nap on the equally inviting sofa beside large picture windows. Look up as you drift off at the intricate detailing on the ceiling and the glittering chandelier. This B&B is both chic and cozy at the same time.

The best part about the Fashion House is its ample, flower-filled veranda, an oasis in big-city Barcelona. It’s an ideal spot to chill after a busy day of shopping and exploring, and it’s also a lovely setting for breakfast.

The Hotel Banys Orientals is a class act.

Banys Orientals
El Born

This hotel in El Born is a class-act from its lobby, to its rooms, to its restaurant. Rooms are decorated in a crisp black-and-white color scheme and outfitted with slick furnishings and large framed artwork. All are equipped with a flat-screen TV, telephone, safe and air conditioning. I adore the posh, amenity-stuffed bathrooms at Banys Orientals and the useful “communal mini-bar” on each floor.

The hotel was freshened up in 2010 and is generally decorated in a cutting-edge, sleek style. Hotel Banys Orientals offers 43 rooms in a sought-after setting on Carrer Argenteria, in El Born. Is it the cheapest of the cheapo hotels in Barcelona? No. But it is an excellent value for your euro bucks.

More hotel options

But wait, there’s more! To see all of the budget hotels inspected and approved by our editors, visit our Barcelona hotel guide.

The post Barcelona Hotels With Style: Three Cheapo Options appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Boutique or bouquiniste?

Gifts from museum shops or boutiques can be expensive. So, we suggest looking for inspiration at any of the city’s museums or art galleries, and then purchasing your souvenir posters at a riverside bouquiniste.  Similar in look to outdoor newsstands, these green stalls are located along the river Seine and sell vintage magazines and newspapers, as well as old maps of Paris, art reproductions, and French books.

We especially love the colorful turn-of-the-century advertisements for liquor, cigarettes, cocoa, and milk, as well as the cabaret posters of the same era. Most wares will run you less than €10.

Souvenir savoir-faire

The first Seine-side salesmen appeared in the 19th century on quai Voltaire and sold many of the same items you still see sold today. In 1993, President Jacques Chirac created legal standards for the wooden stands. Today, around 250 vendors—bouquinistes—can be found in the city of light. Peppered along the right bank, on Pont Marie, at Quai du Louvre, the left bank, at Quai de la Tournelle, and the original quai Voltaire, they carry cheapo souvenirs in abundance.

We’ve also got a post on 5 gift ideas for less than €5 for some more souvenir tips.

Calling all Cheapos: Do you recommend buying souvenirs from a Parisian bouquiniste? Tell us about your experience below, or suggest another cheap Parisian souvenir!

Also see: Our list of recommended budget hotels in Paris.

The post Paris cheap souvenir: Art posters and vintage books appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Hotel de Filosoof
What: Three-star hotel near the Vondelpark
Doubles: From € 80
Theme: Enlightenment

Each room here is dedicated to a philosopher. You could stay in “Clouds” and pay homage to Aristophanes and Socrates, drifting to sleep in a bed with a blue, velveteen comforter. Or, opt for Confucius, which lifts up the ideals of Taoism and showcases an array of strong, ancient-looking (intentionally) purple décor. Neitche’s room just plain scared us. (Not surprising, considering the whole “God is dead” thing. Sweet dreams!) Thankfully, the hotel has 38 rooms to choose from, a spacious outdoor garden, and an art gallery.

Hemp Hotel
What: One-star hotel in the southern canal ring
Doubles: € 65 – 70
Theme: Baked not fried

Proclaiming itself “a unique specialty hotel for the hemp-aware traveler,” the Hemp Hotel is on our top ten list of favorite hotel visits (for purely professional reasons, natch). We were awed and amused and became one of the hotel’s managers!)

Winston Hotel
What: Two-star hotel in the Red Light District
Doubles: € 60-105
Theme: Artist madhouse

After spending a couple nights at the Winston, we labeled it “The Winston Museum of Contemporary Art,” as each room was designed by a different artist. Décors range from simple opaque canvases to large-format paintings that resemble Spirograph creations. Many rooms also have their own distinct genres. For instance, the Heineken room enjoys a green, bottled-up effect (Note: See also Smirnoff Button room.).  Maria’s Room is furnished entirely in white, producing an immaculate, yet oddly Clockwork Orange feel. We bunked in a dominatrix-themed space. And liked it.

The Greenhouse Effect
What: Two-star hotel in the Red Light District
Doubles: € 95-130
Theme: Out of this world

At this diamond in the snuff (it’s situated in the heart of the red-light district), themed rooms run the gamut from the plain and proper (“City Oasis” suite) to the downright surreal (“Turkish Delight” and “1001 Arabian Nights”).  A trance-inducing club downstairs features live music each weekend and looks sure to provide oodles of Kerouac-ky observations for postcards and personal diaries.

Lloyd Hotel
What: One-star to five-star hotel in the Eastern Docklands
Doubles: From €90 (see Website for special offers)
Theme: Pick a star (rating)

Offering its guests a range of rooms from a one-star to a five-star rating, the Lloyd really knows how to shake up hotel classification systems! This sophisticated and chic hotel, located in a fashionable area, displays architectural majesty—1920’s art deco mixed with modern flair, and lets you pick a room, any room, via various star ratings. However all rooms provide the same amenities (free WiFi and satellite television) and all guests (even the Cheapos) enjoy the same 24-hour service. Furthermore, all have access to the fancy “Cultural Embassy,” a space that serves as an art gallery, entertainment space, and lounge.

A 1-star room offers less space and shared bathrooms, while a 3-star, for example, has noteworthy 1920s furniture designed by De Bazel. We’d likely opt for a 2-star, deemed “surprising” by the hotel on its Website, as you get your own bathroom with “plenty of room to take a shower” (insert joke here), and some even provide water views. On a search we did for February, we found double rooms from €90 (one star) to €210 (five stars). What a range!

We’d say all of these hotels are worth the trip.

Did we miss a themed hotel in Amsterdam that you know about or would recommend? Tell us below!

Check out more great hotels in our Amsterdam guide!

The post Amsterdam: The Best Budget Theme Hotels appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.