taratravels

Have friends that will be traveling to Europe in July 2010. I am helping them with their travel plans. Need a nice, but reasonably priced hotel in a good location in Paris. They would like to be close to the Eiffel Tower and other popular must-see places. They may not have a rental car during this time. Any suggestions, as I have never been to Paris!!

avalon

First off the very last thing they need in Paris is a car. The transportation system, metro and buses is better than excellent. ANy arondissement 4thru 7 is right in the center. I prefer 4 tru 6. I find the 7th a bit quiet. What is reasonable price.\?

PeggyE

Our first trip to Paris we stayed at The Brighton Hotel right on the Tuilleries, view of the Eiffel Tower was from our two windows, top floor facing Rue Rivoli. I think breakfast was included, around 200 EU. We walked to everywhere. I would highly recommend for the value of the location. And I think on their website you book 3 nights & get the 4th free. Check it out!

Michel_Paris

No car! Personally, I would recommend that they stay in the 4th/5th/6th arrondissemtns (districts). Staygin by Eiffel puts them a bit away from the centre (though the Metro system is very good).

Hotel Le Notre Dame..with views of Notre Dame cathedral

Hotel de Notre Dame..1/2 block from Seine, quiet

Hotel Lutece or Deux-Iles on Ile St Louis, both supreme locations on small island.

Michel_Paris

Hotel Muguet is one that gets metnioned here, in Eiffel tower area.

Christina

It might help if you were more specific as to exactly what you mean by "nice" and "reasonably priced". that varies all over the map. Some people are used to 4-5* hotels and think $300-400 a night is reasonably priced and would not want to stay in a 2* hotel, for example. Others think a good 2* is "nice" and want to pay about $150. For example, the Muguet mentioned above is nice if you think 2* hotels are nice (it was recently upgraded to 3*), but I've stayed there and people who want 4* hotels are not going to be that pleased with it. I wasn't that pleased with it, and I don't stay in 4* hotels.

taratravels

I don't know anything about the hotels in Europe. Our friends like 3-4 star hotels that would possibly include a breakfast. They are willing to pay somewhere around $250 per night. And I actually don't know how the area is layed out, when they refer to the 4th/5th/6th arondissement?? Help, I wish I knew more about Europe!!

cls2paris

To help you get started, $250 is approximately 188 euros. The arrondisment refers to the area or section of Paris. It is suggested that you pick a hotel in 4th/5th/6th arr. You can tell the arrondisment by looking at the address. The hotel address will give the number and street name, then list the city (Paris) and then some numbers that look like a US ZIP code, look at the last 2 numbers - that is the arrondisment. One suggestion you've received is
Hôtel*** de Lutèce - 65, rue Saint-Louis-en-l'Ile - 75004

It is a 3 star on rue Saint-Louis-en-l'ile and is in the 4th. If you look on their website, the rate is 195 euro for a double.

Michel_Paris has given you a few more that I think are in the 4th/5th/6th, so that should get you started. Then do a search here for Paris hotels, you will get a ton of hotel suggestions.

So, this should narrow down your task of assisting your friends a little bit.

You might want to check out:
Hotel Clement, Hotel de Seine, Hotel Deux Continents and Hotel Madison, both in the 6th and should be in your price range.

http://www.hoteldeseine.com/english_...ine-paris.html

http://www.hoteldes2continents.com/index_en.html

http://www.hotel-madison.com/e/hotel/

http://www.hotelclementparis.com/

I generally don't spend that much on a hotel but these are often recommended here and they are all in the 6th, near the St. Germain metro station.

nytraveler

A car is worse than useless in Paris - they will be walking or taking the Metro everywhere. Also, sights are spread out over the city - so no hotel is near most of them.

To give recos it would help to know what they expect in hotels. Those in much of eruope - and esp Paris - tend to be smaller boutique hotels - rooms are smaller than in the US - with usually just one double (not king or queen bed) and they need to be sure the hotel has AC (many don't).

So the question is, will they be happy with small, old (fashioned) and quaint - or will they want something that looks like an American chain hotel (modern, larger rooms, 2 beds, full AC, etc). The latter will cost WAY more than in the US (Marriott is often "luxury" in europe rather than basic). I have heard several americans complain about what I thought were charming hotels because they did not have 2 queen size beds, an ice machine in the hall, all modern furniture and AC they could turn down to 68 degrees. These were moderately priced hotels, quaint, well-decorated, with european style AC and tiny elevators that held 2 people OR their bags - not both. And if you go out in the evening they give you a key, since they lock the door at midnight.

I would talk with them abut their expectations - to see what will make them happy.

amwosu

http://www.slowtrav.com/france/paris...dissements.htm

This will give you an idea of the 20 arrondissements of Paris. Most sites tourists are interested in are in 1-8. Many first timers chose 4, 5, or 6th for lodging as mentioned by another poster because of their central location and proximity to tourist sites.
Ann Marie

amwosu

FYI, the government regulated star rating system of European countries are nothing like the subjective star ratings of travel websites in the US. European rating systems are quantitative and objective while the US system is more qualitative.
http://www.travelandleisure.com/arti...-star-bummer/1

Guenmai

Taratravels: I have two hotel threads, one for the Right Bank and one for the Left Bank. I'll top them for you. Happy Travels!

Leburta

It is very difficult to plan a trip for other people when you have never been to the place they are traveling to. People on this board are very, very helpful, but you need to at least acquaint yourself with what your friends are looking for and the city they are visiting. Otherwise, this is an exercise in futility.

ParisAmsterdam

It's all very well to be told 'this arrondissement is a good one' or 'this one is too quiet'... you need to be able to see where
they are in relation to one another and how they fit into Paris...

Here are some links to help you understand how the arrondissements work in Paris:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrondissements_of_Paris

Here's another link to a larger map:

http://tinyurl.com/22unc38

And finally a link to a map with most of the major attractions in Paris to give you an idea of what is where.

http://communitywalk.com/paris_sites/map/425997

Tolkien always said before he'd write a story he'd first make a map. I think you need to do the same when planning a trip to a city to which you've never been. ;^)

Rob

tinarose

I stayed here in 2007 and found it very charming. It's a small property but wonderfully located and in a very quaint pretty building. http://www.paris-hotel-tulipe.com/index.html

A lot depends on what amenities and hotel style that your friends expect. There are also many larger chains in Paris as well that have room service, luggage staff, etc.

avalon

Why don't your friends look up some guide books and other sources instead of letting you, who have never travelled plan their trip?