Eklo Paris Porte de Versailles: Budget-friendly suburban stay

Paris has a reputation for being expensive. Hotel rooms in the City of Lights are some of the most expensive in Europe. In recent years, the average per-night cost has skyrocketed to $500 or more, depending on the season, star rating, and location. Of course, if you’re willing to stay outside of the central arrondissements — and forgo some standard amenities — there are deals to be had. That’s where Eklo Hotels comes in. This relatively new chain of budget eco-friendly hotels, with four locations throughout France, offers bare-bones, low-cost rooms geared toward travelers who don’t mind being a few steps away from the action.

Location, Location, Location

During a recent visit to Paris, I stayed at the Eklo Paris Porte de Versailles. It is located just south of the 15th arrondissement, on the far side of “le Périph,” the ring road that separates the city center from the suburbs. Getting to and from the hotel isn’t difficult. It’s a 10-minute walk from the hotel to the Port de Versailles metro station, which is on the 12 line. And it takes about 20 minutes by train to get to the Assemblée Nationale station on the Left Bank or the Concorde station on the Right Bank. From there, you can walk to main attractions such as the Musée d’Orsay, Louvre, and Grand Palais within minutes, or transfer to another metro line for quick transport throughout the city.

There are shops and restaurants near the Porte de Versailles station, and more can be found about 15 minutes in the opposite direction, near the Coretin Celton station, also on the 12 line. But the streets surrounding the hotel are filled with apartments and other hotels, including a Mama Shelter and a Novotel. If you want the local experience, the Eklo is a great option

Now, I was in Paris to learn about some of the city’s sustainability and community-focused efforts, so staying at this hotel made sense.

A Commitment to Sustainability

One of Eklo’s main selling points is its commitment to sustainability and eco-responsibility.

Eklo Hotels, including the Porte de Versailles hotel, hold the Green Key label, an international certification for environmental responsibility. And in 2024, Eklo became the first hotel group to achieve an “Eco-score A” for environmental impact.

The prefabricated BREEAM-certified building is constructed of biosourced and PEFC-certified materials, and much of the furnishings used throughout are second-hand. All lights are low-energy-use LEDs, water-flow restrictors eliminate excess water consumption, no single-use plastic or disposable products allow for a zero-waste objective, and all cleaning products are eco-friendly. The team is trained in eco-friendly practices and includes a Sustainable Development Ambassador. All waste is sorted and recycled, and all biowaste is converted into biogas. The hotel group also works with area designers, artisans, and producers to ensure that all products and food items are locally made or grown and sourced.

No-Frills Accommodations

A most unique feature of any Eklo hotel is the fact that it is both a traditional hotel and a hostel. Guests can rent a standard room or a bed in a shared dorm. The shared dorms, which include six single beds, individual locking storage cabinets (locks not provided), and shared bathrooms, are separated by male and female guests. These rooms can also be rented by large groups. During my stay, a group of young school students on a class trip occupied the dorms. Family rooms that sleep four or six are also available.

I stayed in a Classic with Belvédère room with a double bed. The “belvedere” is a large window seat that extends from the room and takes advantage of the hotel’s direct view of the Eiffel Tower. The window seat includes a large bean bag-style cushion, but unfortunately, it’s not that comfortable. The cushion is covered with a nylon tent- or parachute-type material on top and rubber sheeting on the bottom. And the “beans” inside are thin and lumpy. Instead of enjoying the seat, I ended up using the belvedere to hold my suitcase because there was no place in the room to open it.

Which brings us to the room. It’s tiny. Which is normal for a European hotel room. But this room, which measures 140 square feet, seems especially small, perhaps because of its stripped-down decor. A small shelf in the hallway serves as a desk, and a freestanding “closet,” crafted of metal, has shelves for small bags or shoes and a bar for hanging clothes. A flat-screen TV hangs on the wall at the foot of the bed. There is no safe, no minibar or fridge, and no coffee pot. There are also no built-in USB ports and no phone.

The aesthetic is pure minimalism. The furnishings are simple, raw wood. The walls and ceiling are painted a dark hue, ensuring that guests focus on the view. And the light fixtures are simple globes and bare bulbs. However, the overhead light in my room didn’t work, further emphasizing the room’s dark color palette.

And while the mattress is comfortable, and I know that top sheets are rare in Europe, the bed features only a single thin duvet. And there are no extra blankets in the room. In addition, the thermostat is regulated to not go above 68 degrees. Personally, I like my rooms at about 72 degrees, so I was kind of chilly and slept in my sweats and socks.

The tiled white bathroom is small but functional. There’s a small shelf above the toilet to hold towels and toiletries, while the only provided amenity is a bottle of all-in-one shampoo/body wash. Unfortunately for me, and maybe because I was on the eighth floor, the water pressure in the shower ranged from low to a mere trickle and never got hotter than lukewarm. And on my last morning, I woke up to no water at all. Because there was no phone in the room, I had to go down to the front desk and wait in a long line of folks checking out to complain. I get the feeling this issue is common, as they quickly gave me a key to a room on the second floor where I could shower. The water pressure in that room was strong, and the water was hot, but someone else had obviously used the shower before me because while the room appeared untouched when I entered, a wet towel was on the floor and the shower stall was still wet.

Dining with a View

To make up for the lack of in-room amenities, there’s a community kitchen located to the left of the lobby. Inside, you’ll find a kettle for coffee, a refrigerator to store items, a microwave, and utensils, dishes, napkins, and more. Long community-style tables offer plenty of space for dining or working on your laptop.

For a cocktail or meal, head to the ninth floor and Eklo’s signature restaurant/bar, French Kiss. Here you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as a full menu of cocktails, craft beer, and wines. Breakfast is an add-on and not included in the room rate. And brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays.

Billed as a “guinguette” or neighborhood tavern, French Kiss offers seasonal dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Start with a charcuterie or cheese board and then move on to such Parisian favorites as croquettes or egg mayonnaise. Main dishes include classics such as Cordon Bleu, veal, pulled pork, and marinated chicken or beef skewers. The drinks menu features a large selection of signature cocktails, gins, and mocktails.

The atmosphere at French Kiss is lively and convivial, with lots of locals stopping by to dine, take in the jaw-dropping views of the Eiffel Tower, and listen to live music during the summer months.

You Get What You Pay For

In a city where hotel rooms cost hundreds of dollars per night, Eklo is definitely friendly on the wallet. Prices range from about $40 for a single bed in a shared dorm to $200 for a family room or about $220 for an entire six-person dorm. My Classic with Belvédère runs about $115 per night.

Check rates for Eklo Paris Porte de Versailles online at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda, or Hotels.com.

But just like a budget airline, every add-on is extra. Breakfast is an additional $17 per person per day. And if you want any room cleaning or fresh towels during your stay, it’s another $17 per request. Eklo is pet-friendly, with pets allowed in private rooms for an additional $20 per day. Arriving early or wanting a late check-out? It will cost you between $20 and $25, depending on the number of hours.

Would the Eklo Porte de Versailles be my first choice of a place to stay if I were simply visiting Paris as a tourist? No. Would I recommend it? It’s not for the first-time tourist. But if you’ve been to the city before, don’t mind using public transportation, and simply want a place to sleep and shower, the Eklo is a great budget-friendly option.

For some hotel properties closer to the heart of Paris, check out our reviews of the Hotel Le Bellechasse, La Maison Favart, and Hotel Westminster.