If you have the language skills, those hotels not in the city center can be a godsend. Back when I was in Paris (and when my French was MUCH better than it is now) I stayed in a hotel near the edge of Paris. I tended to hang out in the local bars/restaurants and picked up more than one local girl. Got my French AND my Moroccan flags from spots on the edge of Paris. When I pulled other chicks in Paris (married Singaporean hottie and a big titty chick from Guadalupe) neither had any problem hopping on the metro with me to my hotel.
FOR ME, I just can't see how I could have made it work as well as I did if I was staying at a hostel.
FOR ME, I just can't see how I could have made it work as well as I did if I was staying at a hostel.