Originally Posted by
jpdx
Do any of the HI in Paris have reasonably modern rooms with furniture that doesn't immediately provoke a "yuck, I'm not sitting on that" response upon walking in the room, working wifi, etc?
Sure, many of the newer or renovated HI's are modern. Perhaps the best is Notre Dame, but that is usually the most expensive. And it's in one of the best neighborhoods. The entry level rooms at Gare de l'Est do have that "yuck" feeling and that is why it is usually the cheapest. And the neighborhood is not appealing to foreign tourists (although I generally like it).
Clichy is an example of a good modern HI that can often be had at a good price, however it is far from the center and you have to walk a ways to get the metro. There are lots of other choices. I've been to all the HI's in Paris except maybe one or two new ones.
Sorry I can't comment on WiFi. I have not used WiFi in Paris since September 21st, 2012. That was the day the iPhone 5 launched with 4G service from Orange and I never looked back!