Look, if you're paying these kind of prices, and right next to Gare de l'Est too, you can't expect miracles. The Lorraine provides a basic room, with TV, and WiFi in the lobby. Desk staff are nice. Shower water is warm, hot even. And your bed is made during the day. There's no way you'd find anything, short of a hostel bed in a shared dorm, in London for rates like this. If you're after more comfort, more facilities, more service, fine, pay for them and stay elsewhere. For the budget traveller with few demands, and perhaps an early/late train to/from Paris, you won't find better.