Paris is exhausting. Seriously. If you’ve ever stayed in a tiny hotel room near the Louvre where you can’t even open your suitcase without hitting the bed, you know exactly what I mean. That is why Citadines Place d’Italie Paris is such a weirdly popular choice for people who actually know the city. It isn't a palace. It isn't trying to be the Ritz. But it’s one of those rare spots that solves the "where do I actually live while I'm here?" problem without draining your savings.
Most tourists flock to the 1st or the 7th arrondissements. They want the Eiffel Tower view. They want the "Emily in Paris" vibe. Honestly? That’s fine for a weekend. But if you’re staying longer, or if you hate being surrounded by other people holding selfie sticks, the 13th arrondissement—specifically around Place d'Italie—is a breath of fresh air. It's real.
What You're Getting into at Place d'Italie
Let’s talk about the setup. The Citadines Place d’Italie Paris is an apart-hotel. That’s a bit of a clunky term, but it basically means you get a kitchen. Having a kitchenette in Paris is a total game-changer. You can walk down to the local boulangerie, grab a baguette that’s still warm, pick up some salted butter and a bottle of wine from the Monoprix across the street, and just hang out. It saves a fortune on breakfast and late-night snacks.
The building itself sits right on the edge of the Place d’Italie. It’s a massive roundabout where several major avenues meet. Is it quiet? Not exactly outside. But the windows are pretty solid. Inside, the vibe is clean and functional. Think "upscale corporate apartment" rather than "Louis XIV boudoir." It’s practical. It’s reliable.
Location: The 13th is the Most Underrated Neighborhood
People think the 13th is just high-rises and the Asian Quarter. They’re wrong. Well, they’re half-wrong. The Asian Quarter is incredible—go to L'Empire des Thés for tea or any of the phở spots on Avenue de Choisy—but there’s more.
Just a short walk from the Citadines, you’ll find the Butte-aux-Cailles. It’s a hilltop village that feels like Montmartre used to feel before the gift shops took over. We're talking cobblestone streets, Art Nouveau houses, and tiny bars like Le Merle Moqueur. It’s where the locals drink. If you stay at the Citadines Place d’Italie Paris, you’re literally ten minutes away from one of the most charming pockets of the city.
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Then there’s the transportation. This is the real reason people book here. Place d'Italie is a massive hub for lines 5, 6, and 7.
- Line 6 takes you straight to the Eiffel Tower and Trocadéro (it’s mostly above ground, so the views are stunning).
- Line 7 goes right to the Louvre and Châtelet.
- Line 5 zips you up to Gare du Nord or the Bastille.
It’s almost too easy. You’re connected to everything, but when you come home at night, the prices for a beer at the corner cafe aren't inflated by "tourist tax."
The Room Situation: Studios vs. One-Bedrooms
You've got choices. The studios are fine for solo travelers or couples who actually like each other. They’re about 20 to 25 square meters. In London or New York, that’s a closet. In Paris, that’s a decent-sized studio.
If you’re traveling with kids or you just need to work, get the one-bedroom apartment. It’s significantly larger. You get a separate living area with a sofa bed and a proper table. I've seen people try to work from the tiny desks in standard Parisian boutique hotels—it’s a nightmare. Here, you actually have space to spread out a laptop and some papers without feeling like the walls are closing in.
The bathrooms are usually standard—nothing fancy, but they’re clean. One thing to keep in mind: Citadines is a serviced apartment, not a full-service hotel. This means they don't necessarily change your towels every single day unless you ask or pay extra, depending on the length of your stay. It’s more like an Airbnb with a front desk. For some, that's a dealbreaker. For me? I’d rather have the privacy and the kitchen.
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Eating and Surviving Near Place d'Italie
Don't eat the hotel breakfast. I mean, you can. It’s fine. But you are in Paris. Walk outside.
Directly across the street is the Italie Deux shopping center. It has a massive Monoprix. This is your lifeline. It’s part supermarket, part department store. You can buy everything from high-quality cheese to a new pair of socks.
For dinner, you have to try Chez Gladines. It’s a Basque place in Butte-aux-Cailles. It’s loud, it’s crowded, and the portions of potatoes and ham are gigantic. It represents the "anti-tourist" Paris. It’s messy and fun. If you want something more refined, walk toward the Jardin des Plantes. It’s a 15-minute stroll, and the area around the 5th arrondissement starts to feel very "Old World Paris" very quickly.
Is It Worth It?
Let’s be honest. If this is your one and only honeymoon and you’ve been dreaming of velvet curtains and a view of the Seine, the Citadines Place d’Italie Paris might feel a bit too... practical. It’s not "romantic" in the cliché sense.
But if you’re a frequent traveler, a business person, or a family that needs a fridge for milk and a way to cook pasta at 9 PM because the kids are jet-lagged, this place is gold. It’s about the value proposition. You get more square footage per Euro here than almost anywhere else in the central-ish arrondissements.
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There is a certain comfort in knowing what you’re getting. Citadines (owned by The Ascott Limited) is a global brand. There aren't many surprises. The Wi-Fi works. The staff speaks English. The elevators actually fit more than one person at a time—which, if you’ve stayed in the 6th arrondissement, you know is a luxury.
Navigating the Downsides
No place is perfect. The Place d'Italie itself is a bit of a concrete jungle. It’s busy. If you want to step out of your hotel and immediately see a quaint flower shop and a 16th-century church, this isn't the street for you. You have to walk a few blocks to find the "pretty" parts.
Also, the 13th arrondissement is a bit of a trek if you’re planning on spending 100% of your time in Montmartre. You’ll be on the metro for a while. But for the Marais, the Latin Quarter, and the Saint-Germain area? It’s perfect.
Practical Steps for Your Stay
If you decide to book, here is how to handle it like a pro:
- Request a room facing the courtyard. The street side is convenient but can be noisy with the sirens and the buses. The courtyard rooms are much quieter.
- Use the 24-hour reception. Unlike an Airbnb where you have to coordinate with a host who might be late, you can drop your bags here at 8 AM and go explore.
- Join the loyalty program. Ascott Star Rewards usually gives you a discount even on your first booking. It’s worth the two minutes it takes to sign up.
- Explore the 13th. Don’t just use the hotel as a base to leave. Walk to the Manufacture des Gobelins. Check out the street art on Boulevard Vincent Auriol. The 13th is the street art capital of Paris, and some of the murals are ten stories high.
Staying at Citadines Place d’Italie Paris is a choice to see the city as it actually functions. It's the Paris of students, families, and professionals. It's less of a museum and more of a neighborhood. For a lot of us, that's exactly what makes a trip memorable. You aren't just a spectator; you're living there, even if it's just for a week.
Grab your key, hit the Monoprix for some supplies, and settle in. The 13th is waiting.
Actionable Insight: Before arriving, download the 'Citymapper' app. While Google Maps is okay, Citymapper is far superior for navigating the complex exits at the Place d'Italie metro station, which can be confusing for first-timers. Specifically, look for the 'Grand Ecran' exit to get closest to the hotel entrance. Additionally, check the schedule for the Marché Auguste-Blanqui; it's one of the best open-air markets in Paris and is located just a few blocks away on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. It is the best place to source fresh produce and local cheeses for your kitchenette.