Best Western Aulivia Opéra

This was very disappointing. Extremely, small, very dark room. On the arrival, clerk informed me of the time breakfast was served without telling me that it was not included in my rate. Breakfast was very basic and poor quality, served in a windowless room. To my surprise, on the departure I was charged 11 euro for the breakfast

THe hotel was quite easy to get to from Gare du Nord - about 10 min walk - but make sure that you have a clear idea of where you have to head since the streets are sinuous; also only about 15 min gentle walk to Rue de Rivoli/Le Marais/Louvre area and very close (1 min walk) to Chateau d'Eau metro.
At night, the main street near to the hotel is bustling and could be intimidating to people not used to the hustle and bustle of the different racial groups in the area, and the sex shops/red light street is not the best for those of a nervous disposition. But, during the day, there are plenty of tourists and families. Just don't be naive!
We didn't have breakfast at the hotel since 9 Euros seemed expensive; we got some lovely patisseries from local shop and had it with a coffee at a local brasserie - having lived in France I know that this is ok to do, but just be polite and make sure that you've checked first if you'd like to do this too - half the price of the hotel breakfast.
THe hotel was fine although my husband asked for an extra pillow and never got it; also, the hotel tried to charge us more than what Late Rooms had quoted us - eventually they found the e-mail from Late Rooms and got the price right ! Although, it was still a few euros extra due to 'taxe du sejour'.
We had plenty of clean towels and the air conditioning was fine just a bit noisy.
THe hotel could do with a drinks machine for hot drinks and bottles of water; I was really thirsty one night and we had ran out of water and so had to go out across the street to a shop, which was fine but the groups of noisy men standing around were a bit unsavory.
Overall, the hotel's location was pretty central and so was good value for money; it was clean and didn't smell musty/smoky like some French hotels do that I've stayed in; it pretty much is a base for exploring the city but if it's luxury that you want then you'll have to pay more - you get what you pay for: a room, bathroom, clean towels, fairly comfy bed...nothing out of the ordinary.

Very difficult to find and in a bit of a run down area - however, once inside a very nice hotel.