Hôtel Avenir Vaugirard, simple and close to Porte de Versailles
Hôtel Avenir Vaugirard is a small hotel presented as two-star, in Paris's 15th arrondissement, near Convention metro station and Porte de Versailles. It is simple, old-fashioned and affordable, with a welcome guests appreciate. It suits short stays and budget travellers, not demanding ones.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published .
Updated
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of Hôtel Avenir Vaugirard.
Where Hôtel Avenir Vaugirard is in Paris
Hôtel Avenir Vaugirard is at 373 Rue de Vaugirard, in Paris's 15th arrondissement. It is a few minutes' walk from Convention metro station on line 12 and from Porte de Versailles, where the Parc des Expositions is.
One traveller says it takes ten to fifteen minutes on foot from the hotel. It is therefore a base aimed at trade fairs and business trips, but also at anyone who wants to explore Paris by metro. There is no private car park on site, which is common in Paris, but public car parks exist nearby.
What the rooms and services are like
The rooms at Hôtel Avenir Vaugirard are classic and functional. The hotel has forty-two, all reached by lift, with television, a desk, a telephone and heating. Some have a kettle.
Bathrooms are private, with a hairdryer, hot water and either a bath or a shower. Services include the following:
- a reception open day and night;
- a left-luggage room;
- daily housekeeping;
- a paid continental breakfast served in the dining room;
- pets accepted, in a non-smoking hotel.
Free wifi is advertised throughout the hotel, but one guest writes that there is none in the rooms. It is best to ask at reception if it matters to you.
What guests say
The Google rating of Hôtel Avenir Vaugirard is 2.7 from nearly four hundred reviews. That is a low score, and opinions are very split. What comes up among satisfied guests is the welcome, the cleanliness of the room and a price judged fair for the category.
Several travellers talk about friendly, attentive and smiling staff. Some find the bedding good and the room clean despite old furniture, which for one of them has a certain charm. One guest even praises the calm and soundproofing, while another finds it borderline. The impression probably depends on the room.
Breakfast is described as simple but sufficient, with croissants, bread, butter and jam. Those who expected more were less convinced.
What to know before booking
The shortcomings are real, and that is what explains the score. The most serious concerns hygiene: several recent one-star reviews report bed bugs, fleas or mites, and one of them complains of an unsympathetic response from reception. Other guests, on the contrary, found the room clean. I cannot settle that, but it is worth reading the most recent reviews before you pay.
Guests also repeatedly mention these other weak points:
- very basic equipment and old-fashioned furniture;
- uneven soundproofing, with noise carrying from one room to the next;
- no air conditioning, which is a problem in peak summer, and rather small rooms;
- a narrow breakfast room with no window, according to one guest;
- corridors and rooms under renovation during one stay, with floors dirtied by workers.
One guest also points to a gap between the price shown at the hotel and the price paid when booking online. Always compare before confirming.
Who this hotel is for
I would choose Hôtel Avenir Vaugirard for a short, practical stay in Paris, especially if I am going to the Parc des Expositions at Porte de Versailles or simply want to sleep near a metro line. For that profile, a simple hotel with a friendly welcome may be enough.
I would not recommend it to travellers who expect modern comfort, a spacious room or a long, restful stay. And if you are sensitive to cleanliness or pests, caution is advised given the reviews.
It also suits anyone travelling with a pet, since animals are accepted, or anyone who wants to avoid a chain hotel without personality. Either way, keep your expectations in line with a two-star. Other places to compare are Résidence de Bourgogne in Paris, 5ème avenue de Meaux in Meaux and L'Escale du Vexin in Chaumont-en-Vexin.
What to see around Rue de Vaugirard
Around Hôtel Avenir Vaugirard, in the 15th arrondissement, you will find many pleasant restaurants, cafés and shops, which several guests appreciate. The neighbourhood is lively without being touristy.
Convention metro on line 12 opens up the rest of Paris, and Porte de Versailles is your anchor point if you come for a trade fair. With a bit of planning, it makes a good base for exploring the city while keeping the budget reasonable.
Just take the time to read recent reviews, ask for a room in good condition on arrival and keep an eye on your room from the first evening.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
