GiuliaPiraino

Hi everyone! HELP! I know nothing about Paris, can someone please recommend a decent hotel for about 100-130EUR (I realise that's pretty skimpy but we're not too picky) in a fun area? We don't care about much other than it be clean and be in a good location for seeing the sights. We've stayed in a $7 hotel room in Sicily a few years ago so "rustic" doesn't bother us, but as clean as possible is a must! I feel overwhelmed with choices, I've started looking into the layout of the city and it's confusing to know which number/neighborhood to stay in? Which one is the most conveniently located to the good stuff? Anyone know what the weather is like the first week in October? Thanks for your input!

PS* Just out of curiousity, we speak Italian and English but no French at all, will we manage ok?????

beachbum

<<Which one is the most conveniently located to the good stuff?>>

What good stuff are you thinking about?

GiuliaPiraino

Hee hee, sorry, I guess I meant the major tourist sights, but I'm open to off the beaten path stuff too!

Gretchen

Hotel Muguet.

beachbum

Paris is divided into areas numbered 1 - 20. Generally, areas 1,4,5,6 & 7 are considered the most conveniently located to main tourist attractions. But, because they are central, hotels are generally more expensive. Still you should find acceptable accommodations in your price range. I'd suggest looking in the 4th or 5th. Since there are so many choices, maybe repost your question to focus on these (or whatever other) areas.

We were in Paris the last week of September last year. Daytime temperatures were in the high 60's to low 70's.

dee20002

I've just discovered tripadviser.com in which you can choose Paris hotels by 1) area; 2) price etc. and which rates them based on reviews given the hotels. It's easy to pull up the section you want (probably 1, 4, 5, or 6)and check out the prices and what's available. I assume the website is tripadvisor.com, and go to europe, france, ile de France, Parishotels.

grandmere

Two hotels that provide good value for the money are Hotel du Lys and Hotel Bonaparte, both in the 6th arr. and in very good locations within that quartier.
Hotel du Lys is 115 for a double, breakfast included, and the Bonaparte is 124; I'm not sure whether breakfast is included or extra at the Bonaparte.

www.hoteldulys.com

The Bonaparte does not have a website, so you must call or fax. I don't have those numbers at my fingertips, but if you run a search here, you will find them quickly.

Both hotels are popular with folks here. Check out www.tripadvisor.com for reviews.

cooncat

Hotel De Suez is very conveniently located in the Latin Quarter on Blvd. St. Michel. Very clean, nice hot water, a stone's throw from the Seine and Notre Dame. $85-110 Euros, I think. We were there in April.

SuzieC

For a first-timer...may I suggest you fix your sights around the central arrondisements? That way, you'll be more centrally located to "the sights" that spread out all around the city.
1st through 7... (and personally I think the 8th, 9th, 10th & 11th, and 14th are nice too...)
I hope you love Paris. I'd also brush up on "I am a good tourist" French, "Hello. Good day; thank you; how much; where is..." Any good guide book will help.

JC98

We just went to Paris in May and stayed in the Pointe Rivoli Hotel in Marais -- 4th arrondisement. It's under $100 eu, and very clean. But no elevator and you have to climb a steep, narrow spiraling staircase -- very treacherous if you're not fit or careful. The staff spoke English and was very friendly and helpful.

ira

Hi GP,

We always stay at the Hotel Bonaparte, 61 Rue Bonaparte in the 6th. About 124E dbl w/bkfst

Hotel Bonaparte
Tel 33 1 43 26 97 37
FAX 33 1 46 33 57 67

For more info, enter "Hotel Bonaparte" in the "search this forum" box.
Photos are at http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&y=-l95uyr

You can see the location at www.mappy.com

>....no French at all, will we manage ok?????<

Si.

suze

www.dacia-paris-hotel.com

Dacia Luxembourg is a 3-star on St Mich Blvd near the Sorbonne. It's very nice and in your price range.

Statia

In addition to those listed above, I can highly recommend Hotel Monge, which is also close to many sights and is located in the Notre Dame area.

The nice thing about Paris is that the metro makes it so easy to get around, you can stay virtually anywhere in the city and be close to everything.

Here are some links to Hotel Monge if you are interested.

http://www.parishotels.com/Hotel_Res...e_star_en.html

http://www.france-hotel-guide.com/h75005monge2.htm

GiuliaPiraino

THANK YOU so, so much for all of your advice, I lost my computer there for a bit with a nasty virus, sorry to be so out of touch. I found what looks like a small but nice apartment on Rue Beautreillis, in the 4th, Marais area. Does anyone have any thoughts on this area? I read that it's likened to Greenwich Village in NY, sounds fun. The apartment is 700 Euros for a week, good price? It's about $127 a day. The nice thing is that it has a full kitchen, or full by European standards anyhow,I thought this would be more comfortable than a small hotel room. Ok, so go ahead and burst my bubble...exactly HOW small is 30 square meters????

Christina

sure, 700 euro a week is a good price for a decent apartment in a central, good area -- and the Marais is that. I don't know that particular street, but it's a good location just a bit south of places de Vosges. 30 m2 is around 325 sq ft, which you probably can imagine. That is very very small for an apartment, but it should be larger than a hotel room you would get for that price. If you really like it, it sounds like a good idea. Sometimes comfort in cheaper vacation rental apartments is compromised by the bed quality (or lack of one).

You will manage just fine being able to speak Italian and English.

GiuliaPiraino

This is what I ended up with, 680Euros a week, and teeny tiny.
http://vacation.apartment-paris.com/...lis-Apartment/

Christina

I just looked at that apt., and I think you did pretty good on that one. I think it looks a lot nicer than a lot of budget vacation apartments I've seen, and some that cost a lot more. One reaon it is cheaper is that it has no elevator, but that's not too bad being 3rd floor (which may be four up, I assume they are counting floors that way). It also has free internet and a real double bed (not foldout couch). It also has a decent-looking couch for sitting. It doesn't have a full kitchen, though (no regular oven), but that wouldn't be a problem to most people.

The landlord is cheating a little by calling it a one bedroom, when it's just a studio, but at least you could see it and the photos, and it does warn you of that on there (if you notice it). I rented a Paris apt. once that was probably around that size, maybe a bit bigger, with the bed in an alcove or separated by some partial wall/beams, and they didn't even call that one a one bedroom, but a studio.

Sure, it's small, but will be better than a hotel room, and I think that is a good choice and a great location.

SuzieC

I looked it up as well. Nice! Enjoy it. Now, if you have time and and the inclination...take a virtual walk around the streets with http://www.pagesjaunes.fr/pj.cgi
(when I first used this, I had a devil of a time in French ... I think there is a convert to english button, upper right hand corner...)

Leely

Oooh, I like it; it looks like the kind of place I'd pick. I'd love to hear more about it when you return. Have fun!

AisleSeat

The Hotel Andrea would fit your description. It is in a great location on the edge of the Maurais, close to Notre Dame and the Louvre... and the price is right (about 84 euros for a double). It has an elevator and has been remodeled int he past few years. Check it out at hotelandrearivoli.com or email them at [email protected]