Having read all the other reviews on here (as I'm sure you're doing) some of them seemed disconcerting, some good.
Here's the reality, just to put you at ease:
The hotel is NOT in a dangerous area (the African quarter) and it's prefectly fine to walk around in the evening. There are homeless people (as there are all over Paris and most major cities of the world) and there are dark alleys behind shops I woulnt have walked down after midnight, but these don't constitute a dangerous area.
Yes they ask you hand in your key when you go out, the desk is open till 2am and there's always someone there. No they don't sublet your room out while you're gone.
The hotel is clean - the sheets aren't changed everyday, but the towels are. Fine.
There were no rats, fleas or exuberant youths spotted in the hotel.

The Nord et Champagne is located just a short walk from Gare D'Est (which is great for getting everywhere) and is up a small road facing a large indoor market. Close to the hotel are several nice cafes, grocers, bakers, restaurants and even a McDonalds. We would reccomend you visit the local bakers in the morning rather than pay the breakfast charge at the hotel.
The staff were very friendly, the rooms were clean and warm and the price was very competitive.

The only downside was that we didn't have a shower - just a shower head attached to the bath. You make do though, and had a shower with it accordingly. This might not be the case in all the rooms - but I can't see references to 'douches' on the hotel's website.

As with all these budget Parisian hotels, imagine the marketing pictures are a lot closer to each other than they are - it's a small hotel with a steep spiral staircase in the middle. There is a lift, but if you have trouble using the stairs, you might find it difficult here (but then, you will probably find it difficult in Paris - a very 'disability unfriendly' city).

So for a few days in a beautiful city, somewhere cheap and clean to sleep, close to good transport links - this is a good option.

Property easy to find from station of the east subway, name only above the door but large hotel sign visible from mail road. Ground floor single room adequate for an overnight stay, all toiletries & towels provided though bathroom has only a semi private sliding door. Spare pillows on shelf to replace cylinder cushion if need be but have to lie diagonally to keep feet on mattress. Internal window wouldn’t lock but exterior hotel front door does overnight. Didn’t sample breakfast but cafe appeared a reasonable size. Luggage storage is open cavity near reception but bag survived 8 hours without incident. TV has about 10 channels, one of which is BBC world service for the none-French speaking. Tip for those about to miss last subway of evening due to ticket machine queues – either slide under the entrance barriers or ask an exiting person to jam the door. Tickets not required to exit, no inspectors at that time of night and it beats walking 5 miles. (Ticket machines have a roller ball selector and speak all major languages – no working ATMs at stations but plenty at banks).

Staying for a long weekend in Paris we wanted a cheap, basic hotel close to Garde de Nord station - made it easy for arriving and departing on Eurostar. Hotel is a 5 minute walk from the station in the african quarter of Paris, it was only after arriving we read in the guide book that it was not advisable to walk around the area at night but we had guest that having already done it. We are both keen walkers and the hotel is 10 minutes from the Sacre Couer and a 20 walk from Seine, Notre Dame and the Louvre. It was for us the perfect location. Now the bad part, we wanted basic and thats what we got. The hotel is pretty run down, decor from the 70s and generally pretty grotty. We had a triple room (3 single beds) but on the second night we were disturbed most of the night by drunken lads running up and down the corridor and shouting. We moved rooms next day, after a few arguements, and were given the smallest double bedroom in the world (double bed and a small cupboard with a shower and toilet) but at least it was quiet apart from the noisy plumbing. Sounds like I'm a real whinger but it was all pretty grotty. Breakfast was 7 euros for a coffee, croissant, bread roll, a boiled egg and peice of ham. We had it the first day then had a McDonalds breakfast (just across the road) the next two days (3 euros for a better breakfast). Staff were friendly and helpful, beds comfortable and clean. I suppose we got what we paid for, personnaly I would rather pay more for a better standard but if your looking for a place to rest your head whilst you enjoy Paris and aren't that fussy about the appearance or comfort then this Hotel is ideal. As for Paris itself, mega expensive but astonishingly beautiful, the tourist sites are everything they say. If you enjoy walking, give the metro and the boat trips a miss, you will see more and soak up the atmosphere by walking along the banks of the seine.

Booked this hotel for a couple of nights because I basically needed an affordable (100-ish avg.) room to stay in which was still in the main area of the city.

- A few minutes walk from Gare De L' Est and only 5-10 to Gare De Nord for those doing the train thing (from/to other cities, CDG, etc.) and who want to quickly connect into Paris' main attractions.
- The room (a single) was closet-sized and basically a dorm room with a tiny attached bathroom. It was great incentive to stay out of the room as much as possible, on the other hand!
- Do not expect any type of front desk service beyond taking the keys and checking you in and out.

So basically, its recommendable if you just need a place to sleep at night, don't want to pay much (by Paris standards) and still want to be able to quickly move into the heart of the city and back...