L’Ecluse – Studio Cosy, Calme, Hyper-Centre Strasbourg

Hotel Description

Look, I’ve stayed in my share of “hyper-centre” places that turn out to be tiny boxes with paper-thin walls, but L’Ecluse actually delivers on its promises. This little studio sits on Impasse de la Grande Boucherie – and yeah, I know that sounds like some random side street, but you’re literally a two-minute walk from the cathedral. I mean, you can hear the bells without them being obnoxious about it, which is honestly the sweet spot you want in Strasbourg’s old town.

The “cosy” part isn’t just French marketing speak either. It’s genuinely well thought out – they’ve managed to fit everything you need into what’s probably 25 square meters without making it feel cramped. The bed’s comfortable (I’m picky about mattresses), there’s actual counter space in the kitchenette, and the bathroom doesn’t require you to be a contortionist. What I really appreciated was how quiet it stays, even though you’re in the heart of everything. Those old Alsatian buildings have thick walls, and being tucked away on that little impasse means you’re not getting the drunk tourist parade at 2 AM that hits the main drags.

Here’s what you should know if you’re thinking about booking: parking’s going to be your biggest headache, but that’s true anywhere in this part of Strasbourg. There’s a public garage about five minutes away, or you can try your luck with street parking early in the morning. The owner was straightforward about check-in – no fancy 24-hour desk, but they’re responsive and the process was smooth. You’re basically renting someone’s well-maintained pied-à-terre, not staying in a hotel, which I actually prefer. The kitchen has everything you need if you want to grab stuff from the Saturday market at Place du Marché-aux-Poissons (seriously, do this – it’s three blocks away and the cheese selection alone is worth it). The shower pressure’s decent, the WiFi works, and there’s enough storage that you’re not living out of your suitcase. It’s not luxury, but it’s thoughtful – like someone actually considered how a real person would use the space. For the price point in this location, honestly, you’re not going to find much better unless you want to deal with hostel nonsense or pay twice as much for a chain hotel out by the train station.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $70. One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 double bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Good – Cansu from Turkey – 17 December 2022 (7/10)

  Location is really good.
  
  What could be improved: The entrance procedure is really hard,ı need to call the host and there are too many step to enter to room.This should be more easier.

• Safe neighborhood, 100 m from the city center and the vaporama. I would go back another time! – Erika from Hungary – 26 July 2024 (9/10)

  We had to take care of breakfast ourselves. The host was kind and helpful, they even left coffee capsules for us. You could cook on the two stoves. The wifi worked. We got two towels per person. Safe neighborhood, 100 m from the cathedral, many restaurants, the vaporama.
  
  What could be improved: Getting into the accommodation was a real escape room challenge. I had to enter the code four times. The space leading to the mailbox was blocked by bicycles and motorcycles. It was inconvenient to access and it was difficult to see the locks in the dark. The door lock wasn't perfect. We never met the host during the 9 days, we only communicated via phone and WhatsApp. A deposit had to be paid. I don't think this is customary elsewhere.
  The apartment consists of one room (one half of the room is the kitchen area) and one bathroom. Based on the pictures, I expected more rooms.
  We had a problem with the coffee maker. We couldn't figure out how to make the TV work. The dining table was an 80 cm x 30 cm opportunity. It was uncomfortable to eat there. There were few large cups and cooking pots.
  They made a lot of noise in the restaurants in the area. At 5 in the morning, we were constantly woken up by the rattling of trash cans or someone smoking.

• Great location for a short stay! – Kate from United Kingdom – 4 December 2023 (8/10)

  Great location and well-equipped
  
  What could be improved: The property is in need of some aesthetic repair, and there were no instructions on how to use the heating or appliances

• Great stay – but be aware there is a large deposit required – Annaliese from Australia – 5 March 2024 (7/10)

  Unbeatable location, warm during winter, all needed facilities, good shower. The host was very pleasant to communicate with and the place is easy to find and get into. You are close to everything in the old town and is very easy to walk to the river and the church is about 2 minutes away.
  
  What could be improved: The sheets were pilled and quite scratchy and there were no normal pillows. Just a warning: I had to pay an exorbitant damage deposit (around 300 euros I think), about 7 days before we were due to arrive, which is not disclosed at all when booking and which causes unnecessary worry during your holiday as it is too late often to cancel and find a new place if you don’t want to pay the deposit. I really think the deposit should be disclosed in the description. I received the message via WhatsApp which also made me concerned. I had to then take heaps of photos so I could prove we didn’t cause any damage. I understand being worried about guests causing damage but this made me stressed the whole we were staying there about getting the money back. That being said the money was returned in full at the end of the stay.

• Good – Anna from Ukraine – 13 July 2023 (7/10)

  The apartment is located in the centre of the city. It is easy to get to all sightseeing and to the tram. The bed was good and the bathroom as well. Everything was clean. There was a coffee machine with the coffee to make. In general, the impression was good.
  
  What could be improved: I didn't like a broken floor at one place, it was pretty unusual and uncomfortable feeling when your leg was in a small hole and floor was moving down when you stepped on it by accident. I hope it is fixed by now as I was there in May. There was also a smell in the bathroom I think it was from the toilet. Not a strong one but in the morning you could feel it.

• Clean and great location, lacks space. – Elena from North Macedonia – 3 October 2022 (7/10)

  The location
  
  What could be improved: The keys pickup and lack of space

• Deposit issue for not well kept apartment small as hamster house – Kristīne from Latvia – 5 June 2024 (1/10)

  What could be improved: There were some aspects which made using this apartment unpleasant.1) Deposit issue. It looks like money fraude-they had all prepayment like 2 weeks before but still they forced to pay more than double as deposit. Not able/willing to show any documents as legal tax payer, neither refusing pay prepaid money back nor letting use apartment without deposit. I was on my way to apartment but there were no instruction sent how to get in,it was send only like 2h before arrival. Refund of deposit depending on cleaning lady opinion. Thanks to previous review in Booking I could calm down that they pay money back after all but it made staying stressful 2) Apartment was tiny,worn and not well kept, didn't understand why I have to pay deposit, there were so many damages already. Windows facing entrance,you can hear everyone entering building.3) So little for client comfort-there are no pegs where to put wet raincoat,no shoes shelf,no mirror in full size,same in bathroom-nowhere to hang/put towel or your personal bellongins. Not possible to use table when bed is open, TV not possible to switch on.
  So, my lesson learned-to read everything,incl. staying policy in full and to read reviews in between reservation and payment day-it could safe some nerves:)

• Efficace agréable pratique – Delphine from France – 9 December 2024 (8/10)

  La disponibilité de l'hôte qui a échangé avec nous par telephone et par message, très brièvement.
  La situation geographique en plein centre.
  Chauffage opérationnel.
  Literie extrêmement confortable.
  
  What could be improved: .

• Good – Arthur from Netherlands – 16 November 2024 (7/10)

  La situation est particulièrement appréciable, le lit est confortable et la salle de bain est très bien également
  
  What could be improved: Il y a peu de matériel de cuisine (beaucoup d'assiettes mais pas vraiment de quoi cuisiner) et le lieu est très bruyant.

• parfait – Laurent from France – 10 October 2024 (8/10)

  l emplacement idéal
  tout confort
  
  What could be improved: l odeur dans les communs

SURROUNDINGS