This was the best overall budget hotel in my trip.
It was located about a 20 minute walk from the train station, but it was worth the extra steps. The area was not the best, but not the worst either. I did not see any disconcerting characters lingering about, but it was certainly no five-star street. Plus, it was a short walk to the subway, a huge plus.
The hotel itself was cute on the outside, with a pointed-arch facade that subtly referenced the Middle Ages. The entry was small, down a few steps, but decently maintained. The lady who met me was very friendly, and always called me by my name and had a smile for me when she saw me. Her husband took off with my bag while I was still checking in, which worried me. It would be better to go upstairs with the customer, but all was fine. The room I had was small, like the cool, trendy dorm room you always wished you could have had in college, and decorated in a very cute way, with gothic-arched windows opening onto a balcony. The size did not bother me, and I did see in passing open doors that other rooms were larger, so if a dorm-size room is not your thing, you have options. Just ask. But the size was fine with me because it was clean, attractive, and cute. The walls were rather thin, but earplugs resolved that. My only real complaint is that the shower was very small and should have a shower door, not a curtain, as the curtain kept moving in on me which was uncomfortable. But I would stay there again if I returned.