Charming hotel close to Gare du Nord?

Lisa, how far is too far? What is your budget?

Walking distance to the station would be ideal. . .6 or 7 blocks. But further is ok also if there is something really charming. I'd like to spend no more than about $150 for the night.

I don't have a hotel recommendation... but I can tell you that the neighborhood around Gare du Nord is a bit shady. Is there any particular reason you wanted to stay in that area?

I would say that the word "charming" is not usually applied to anything in the Gare du Nord neighbourhood. But it's easy to get to the Gare du Nord by bus or metro from other areas of Paris, so unless it is absolutely imperative that you be close to it, begin looking elsewhere in Paris for a hotel with charm.

Thank you all! This is very helpful. I will stay in one of the hotels Rick Steves recommends in a different neighborhood and cab it to the station.

Either cab it or just take the Metro which is simple and cheap. Do NOT stay around Gare du Nord unless it's just a quick 1 night stay where you need to be up and out early the next morning.

We stayed at the Ibis at Gare du Nord and found it to be perfectly fine. Ate at a nice restaurant there, found a great bakery, there are interesting store around to the other side of the train station. Yeah, there were a few scuzzy looking guys hanging around the train station, but nothing to freak about. We found the Ibis to be cheap and we could spend our money on other things. Heck we were never there except to sleep and have breakfast and the people working there were very friendly.

You're quite right, Jo, but the OP had particularly requested "charm", and though I like Ibis and have stayed at a couple here and there, you must agree that charm is lacking.

I arrived at Gare du Nord one morning a couple of years ago and looked across the street from the main entrance. There was a lineup of hotels there. I think a person could find a last-minute hotel in that area fairly easily. The area isn't charming, but it sure is convenient. There are buses, taxis, and Metro right there. However, a taxi ride from the rue Cler area, for example, was less than 15 Eu, and that took only 15 min at 6 am. This was during a Metro strike. Also, the Republique area is only a couple of stops away from Gare du Nord; the Marais (Bastille) is only a few stops later on the same Metro line 5. Unless your time is severely limited, find a hotel away from that train station.

I think I will look for a hotel in Rue Cler. Merci to all!

Norma, yeah, I know, but I am simply a cheapskate at heart. I sometimes forget that not everyone lives in a charming neighborhood like I do, and so when I travel, it doesnt matter too much to me where I sleep, as long as it is a clean and decent place and I have my own toilet. :-))

Thanks for keeping me alert.