We returned wednesday from our four day Paris trip. We stayed there at Friend’s hostel, which is a budget hotel in the center of Paris. I read a few review about the this cheap hostel only after we had already booked our reservation. The reviews were not very encouraging and only a few of them had anything positive to say about the hostel. I was worried, because it is one thing to go on a carefree trip alone. But when you have kids traveling with you then you have to do things in a certain way, so as the trip is comfortable for your children. My husband asked his friend who is doing P.hd in Paris. The friend assured that these hostels are only for tourists and there is nothing to worry.
Friends Hostel Review:

Staff: We met three people who were on the reception during different shifts. The lady didn’t speak English, but tried to help. One of the two guys was really arrogant and unfriendly. He was very rude. The other guy was cordial. When our friend came to meet , he told us that visitors are not allowed, but offered to unlock the Porch area for them so that we can sit there and talk.
Room : The room was a match box. There was a bunk bed and two other beds. The room smelled like hell when we first opened it. There was a large window which opened in the street, but nobody had cared to open it to let the fresh air in.The bedding was clean though.
Shower and Toilet: The shower had hot water and the toilet was clean, but there was only one bathroom and one toilet on the 1st floor where we stayed. So we had to be up early to avoid long wait.
Kitchen: There was a common kitchen where you could cook your meals, but I don’t know much about it. We didn’t have time to cook anything. They used to come late from outing.
The neighborhood: I had read in the reviews that the area is infested with drug dealers and gangsters. That was really true. There were many shady looking people selling drug in open and secretively. Three times we saw cops near friends hostel, doing searches on these drug dealers. One thing I must say that we encountered no problems whatsoever, while returning or going out from their hotel. Nobody bothered us in any way.

If you want a cheap and affordable accommodation in Paris then Friends hostel is ideal for you. It is very near to the metro station too. Backpackers will find the location most suitable, because you can buy a three day pass and board the train easily.