Jayneann

Hi,

We have never been to Paris before but will be there in September for 3 nights with our two sons, aged 20 and 24. We will be arriving on the Eurostar after spending 5 nights in a flat in London. I am looking for something very under 130 euro per room.

Based on research, I think the Latin Quarter looks like it might be an area the boys would enjoy. Do you agree? I'm looking at La Familia. I also like the Relais Bosquet apartment, but I'm not sure that's the right location for us. We are interested in safe areas with some fun restaurants and cafes, although I hope to visit the main sights! We are a walking family!

Thanks for any information!!!

Jayneann

Oops, ignore the "very"! 130 is okay!

tod

I agree Jayneann with your pick of the Latin Quarter - it's hugely touristy and throngs of people walking up and down Boulevard St.Germain day and night. A big plus is the springboard over to Ile de Cite` & St.Louis (not so much St Louis as its too sedate) and from the islands again it's a hop skip and jump over to the right bank with lots of action around Pompidou centre.
I must admit I have not travelled with my son since he turned 21 and up to that point was only interested in clubbing, dancing & drinking the night away. Maybe your two may find a boatride on Canal St Martin something so different they would actually enjoy the experience!

cls2paris

I have stayed a couple of times at Grand Hotel des Balcons. It is just a couple of blocks from the Odeon metro and a couple or so from the Luxembourg Garden and RER stop. I thought it was a great location. I liked the convenience of 2 metro stops nearby and felt like I could walk to just about everything I wanted to do. I think the rates are about the same at La Famila. I think La Famila is in a good area also but I tend to stay closer to the river when I can.

www.balcons.com

Nikki

I agree on the Latin Quarter. Both my college-aged daughters enjoyed this area when we were there. I stayed at the Familia with one of them. Basic but fine, and there are lots of interesting restaurants in the area, including inexpensive ethnic choices.

Easy walking distance to two street markets also, at Place Maubert on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and at Place Monge on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Close to the rue Mouffetard, a colorful market street that has an outdoor sing-along at the bottom on Sundays from around 11 AM.

tod

PS: I don't think you will ever into anything but 'safe' areas.... I find the whole of Paris safe - but as a woman I would not wander down dimly lit areas with few people about at midnight! The guys will be just fine out on their own no matter what the hour.

Nikki

I have also stayed at the Hotel des Grand Balcons, mentioned above. That hotel is also in a very interesting and lively area. Slightly less basic than the Familia, at least my room was. It is on a much quieter street than the Familia. They are both about the same distance from the Seine.

Jayneann

Thanks for the replies everyone!! I will check out Hotel des Grand Balcons. I am a little concerned about "throngs of people walking up and down Boulevard St.Germain day and night" though!
Is the Latin Quarter that busy?

What about Relais Bosquet and that area? Or are there any other budget hotels anyone can recommend closer to the river? Thanks again!

Leely2

I think the location of the Balcons won't put you in mad, throbbing center of the Latin Quarter. I am a sneeze away from 40 and the 7th skews too staid/"old" for me, so I probably wouldn't choose it with two early 20s guys, but everyone is different so...horses for courses and all that.

Have a great trip!

cls2paris

The Hotel Balcons is a couple of blocks from St. Germain on a small street, so I agree that you won't be in the mad, throbbing center. It is actually in the 6th, not the Latin Quarter. The Odeon has 2 metro lines that connect here, plus being near the Luxembourg is nice if you want to take the train to and from the airport. La Familia is in a great location also in the Latin Quarter. You can't go wrong with either one.

Or do some additional research here. These are a couple of great threads to get you started:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ank-thread.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ank-thread.cfm

Have a fun trip!

Nikki

There are not throngs of people on the rue des Ecoles where the Familia is, but there is a lot of traffic, and the street can be noisy if you leave the windows open and your room faces the street. This does not bother me however. This location is not the "mad, throbbing center" of the Latin Quarter, which is a small area just off the Boulevard St. Michel.

tod

Jayneann, I wouldn't consider the 7th unless your boys are the silent quiet types. It's got lots of restaurants & cafe`s but not half as many as the 5 & 6th. It is also the exact opposite of the Latin Quarter which buzzes with life.
If they are happy with attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Rodin musuem, Les Invalides and the military museum there, and then caught the metro or a bus (much better) to the Latin Quarter for a day that's not a bad idea.
We are incidentally staying at The Relais Bosquet in July. But this is my 11th trip to Paris and besides our 2 days there we are also staying in 2 other hotels and an apartment for the 3 weeks in Paris.

cheryllj

I agree that the 7th is not where your sons will probably want to be. I've stayed very near the Relais Boquet, and even though I'm in my 30s it was pretty dead and quiet for my taste. Although it didn't bother me I would have absolutely hated being so far away from the "action" if I stayed there in my 20s.

Stick with the 5th or the 6th, in reasonable proximity to the St Michel and St Germain intersection. You can still be fairly close to the Seine if you want, just closer to the nightlife for the guys.

viaggiatrice_ruth

@tod: I am planning a trip to Paris with my husband and 2 children (girl 6, boy 1) for 2 - 6 June 2010 and currently looking for a hotel or apartment. We will spend 1 day at Disney (birthday present for our 6 year old) and the rest of the time exploring Paris.

Since you've been to Paris so many times, where do you recommend we stay? Hotel? Location? Can you recommend an apartment and/or which company are you using for your 3 week stay in Paris? merci bien!

LikeLivingThere

We stayed along rue des Ecoles and found it very convenient. Walk to Notre Dame, Jardin du Luxembourg or take a bus or Metro to the Right Bank. You might consider an apartment in Paris, as you are doing in London. In September many will have three night minimums. Gives you more choices for location and if you can share a two bedroom you'll probably save money. Also, facing a courtyard (in a hotel or apartment) pretty much solves the noise problem.

Jayneann

Thanks so much everyone!!! I have emailed both the Familia and the Balcons asking for a balcony, but so far, no replies back. Is this typical of Paris hotels? I know it's only been a couple of days but I'm used to hotels replying the next day. Impatient, I know!! Also, I'm glad to realize the 7th probably isn't the right place for this trip!! Merci beaucoup!!!

LikeLivingThere, I initially wanted an apartment in Paris too, but the ones I liked were def more than 3 nights. Plus, the more I thought about it, the more I like having some private time with hubby! I'm sure the boys would appreciate their own room too! Thanks again!!!

HImom

For what it's worth, we're going to Paris with our 20 year old D & 22 year old S. We're staying at the Hotel Montpensier, which is right next to the Louvre. They are non-smokingk which was veyr important to us. It seems like a useful location, tho it doesn't THRONG with nightlife. It is near the metro and bus, so should be convenient for our sightseeing. They have quad rooms, as well as singles, doubles, and triples. The TripAdvisor reviews were positive.

We did consider a lot of other places, but inventory is unpredictible in the summer and lots of places were full for May.

tod

Viagiatrice_ruth, you are in Paris for such a short time so I would just say go with a hotel as June is just around the corner. Not knowing your budget I could suggest any number of hotels so am going to give you this link which will allow you to see the hotel and price:
http://tinyurl.com/y9z36nv

Jayneann

Himom, thanks for the suggestion. Hotel Montpensier looks inviting!! However, I decided on Hotel Balcons as it seems to have pretty much what we are looking for (price, wifi, location). Plus, we'll be in Paris, so how bad can it be?? Have a great time with your family!!

HImom

Hotel Balcons looks great. Don't think we'll be bringing anything that needs wifi, so didn't try for hotels that offered it this trip. Enjoy your visit with your kids--sounds like a lot of fun! I'm really looking forward to creating some amazing memories with our family!