The two-pearl Hotel Helvetia is a simple budget property without pretense or any attempt to offer much beyond its functional rooms with desks, showers, small flat-screen TVs. Spaces are comfortable and generally well-kept, but bathrooms, while tidy, have stall showers with stained grout. The hotel is close to cafes, bars, and restaurants around the Place de la Bastille, and it's also just a block away from the massive Gare de Lyon train station, making it a convenient spot for travelers planning day trips. There's a breakfast room and free Wi-Fi througout, but no other on-site facilities. Compare with the Hôtel du Prince Eugene, a boutique with similar rates and amenities, but much more style.