Patty

A friend and I are going to Paris in March. We are looking for a small, charming hotel with good breakfast and Grande Balcons seems just great. We want our own room and I was quoted F525 for a double with balcony! I think that is about $75 or $80. I live in NYC and I don't believe you could get that price anywhere. I've only read good things about the Balcons but what am I missing? <BR> <BR>Thanks!

Joel

You don't say where it is which might explain a lot. Without that info it's hard to help you. However, with the dollar so strong, that price doesn't seem out of the realm of a decent hotel. I'd look at where it is with respect to the sights of Paris and its proximity to a Metro stop, etc. And surely you have photos of some kind, know what meals they serve, whether you get your own bathroom or share one, whether it's listed in the Michelin Red Guide, etc., etc.

Diane

There are quite a few two star hotels in Paris with decent prices. We generally stay at Champ de Mars which about 440FF a room with ensuite bathroom. Yes, it can be much more reasonable than NYC. <BR> <BR>I find traveling in Europe can be much cheaper than the states.

adrienne

Hi Patty, <BR> <BR>Don't be nervous about the Grand Hotel des Balcons. It's your average 2 star hotel in Paris, clean, comfortable beds and has a great location. There are some very good restaurants in the area and the Luxembourg Gardens are only a few minutes away. There weren’t any amenities such as hair dryer or TV but I don’t miss those things when I travel. I've stayed there three times since 1981. It’s not as nice as the Hotel Muguet, which is about the same price, but the location is much better in my opinion. Also, the reason the price is so low has to do with the favorable exchange rate. The last time I was there the ff to $ ratio was 5:1 and falling. So, the same type of room you’ll have cost me $100. If you’re used to NYC rates you’ll be pleasantly surprised in Paris. It’s not an expensive city for hotels (some may argue this point but I live 30 miles from NYC and the local hotels here charge $150 to $200 a night and not a worthwhile sight for miles). <BR> <BR>I like the rooms with balconies. It’s a quiet side street so you don’t have to worry about noise. Have a great time in Paris. <BR> <BR>Adrienne <BR>

Vanessa

You can find all types of price ranges in Paris, and you can still find great deals, like you did, if you do your homework. I stayed at a one-star hotel and paid 230FF when I was there last year. The room was basic, didn't have an ensuite toilet (which I knew before booking), but was very clean and in a great neighborhood. So basically this is a very average deal that you got for a 2-star hotel. <BR>Stop worrying and have a great time! <BR>

julie c.

Dear Patty; <BR>My husband and I stayed at Grande Balcons in may and we had a wonderful stay. Staff very pleasant and helpful. Rooms were clean and comforatble. The location is superb very close to Luxembourg Gardens as well as Blvd. St. Germain and the heart of the 6th neighborhood. So close to bus lines as well as metro. We walked everywhere and ate at great restaurants. A nice treat was Chez Maitre Paul around the corner from the hotel. It is a great choice in my opinion and a great value. Relax and enjoy your trip!!! Also don't hesitate to ask the front desk staff for suggestions- they are delightful!!

patty

Thank you all for your responses. I feel much better now but...my friend wants to stay at the Verneuil Hotel (sp). It will be my second time and her first, so I felt maybe it should be her choice.... but I plan on taking my nieces when they turn 13 for their birthdays (okay, okay---any excuse to go to Paris!) and I plan on staying at the Balcons! Thanks again. Patty

kristian

Patti: <BR> <BR>I went to Paris in Sept 2000 (just last month.) I LOVED the grand hotel des balcons! The rooms were clean, if not a bit small (try to get one that faces the street with a balcony) and there's plenty of storage space...it's perfect for two! The location was great...very charming neighborhood. The metro stop is right nearby (Odeon stop) and the area seemed very safe. There were also plenty of brasseries nearby that stayed open late, as well as a creperie on the way to the metro so you can have a ham and egg crepe in the morning. I thoroughly had a great time there. <BR> <BR>The only real surprise was there was no shower curtain...the "shower" was a shower head/hose attached to the main water spout. We were dismayed at first, but after a full day of walking around, it was WONDERFUL to take a bath every night! And it's pretty easy to just sit there and shower yourself off. Also, the maid was excellent...our room was spanking clean every day. <BR> <BR>And although there aren't hair dryers in the room, you can request them at the reception desk. I hope you have a great time! I'm jealous just thinking about it!

kristian

OH, forgot to say one more thing.. <BR> <BR>don't feel nervous about the 525 francs...we stayed for 505 francs!! (the prices go up every season though, I think). <BR> <BR>You'll be in the 6th arrond. (district) which is a nice area...pretty close to just about everything!

Dianne

I too have stayed at the Grand Hotel des Balcons and loved it last July. It is in a very convenient and charming location as mentioned above. The breakfast was wonderful with lots of good things to choose from including eggs, bacon, and sausage. We would go down to eat when we woke up and then would go back to our rooms to shower and get ready for the day. The big breakfast was a good start for the day. I also stayed for 505FF for 2, but I found out later that there are different rates for different size rooms. Our room was small but clean and comfortable. If you want a bigger room you can pay a little more. The triple rooms were really big! There was a TV in our room (which we never turned on) and they gave us a good hairdryer at the desk for free to use the whole time we were there (8 days). The elevator is TINY but so much fun. We got used to it! I agree that you must ask for a room facing the street. Your nieces will love it there. My teenage daughter and her friend adored it and said that they will always stay there whenever they go to Paris in the future!

Monica

Hi Patty, <BR> <BR>I returned from Paris yesterday and stayed at Balcons as I did in May 1999. We enjoyed 2 rooms as we had to change after 2 nights. Room 601, top floor, (620FF per night) was a corner room with a great view if the Eiffel Tower. We didn't see it the first night because of the overcast, rainy evening. Every hour on the hour for 10 minutes, the E.T. has a light show. Took one photo, which I hope it comes out. We could see pretty much the top half of the tower. The room had a full sized bed and a twin bed. Since it was a corner room, there was a narrow passage way between the ends of the beds and the dresser. Small balcony, enough to stand on and enjoy the rooftop views. <BR> <BR>Our 2nd room was #305 (525FF) and had twin beds placed together. A little more roomy and also with a slightly larger balcony. <BR> <BR>I have recommended this hotel to several people, including Dianne who responded here. And I would definitely stay there again. Great location! Have a great trip!

kk

Monica, I may be delusional and have my months screwed up but didn't you just come back from Europe? If so, how was the trip? If you've already posted a report, then, well, never mind. (sm)

Monica

Hi kk, <BR> <BR>Yes, I returned from my Paris trip yesterday. Will post some notes here in a day or two. Need to get my film into the shop for development and finish unpacking. Had a great time! <BR> <BR>

Thyra

Patty, <BR>I just have to weigh in on the Grand Balcons. I recommend this hotel to everyone since my stay there in 1999. It is a wonderful hotel, great location, nice staff nice rooms. You won't be dissapointed. <BR>Have a great trip. TLS

Stephanie

What is the web address for the Grand Balcons? TV, minibar???

Diane

TV? I think the TVs in two and three star hotels in Paris (and in many other European cities) are not going to be what you might expect. But then you don't really go to Paris to watch TV. Expect a 13inch set. It may have a remote and be placed in the corner of the room on a "swing out" arm about a foot from the ceiling. Truly a space saving marvel. Actually, we enjoyed getting an idea of what was going on in the world from the news, or catching an idea of pop culture from the variety/quiz shows that seemed to be on while we were getting ready to go out for dinner at night. All said, it is probably a "perk" I could easily live without. I would trade a TV for a balcony in a flash!

upsy daisy

<BR>upupupupupupupup <BR>for Sue

Jerald

OK I'm sold, we are going to be in Paris 12/29-1/6, How do you book the GH Balcons. Our knees are bad & we want to spend New Years Eve @ the Tower (weather permitting). We were in Paris in April & in 1999 for the Air show in hotels around Pigalle & Bastille but the steps in the Metro's kill us. Please help

Sue

To book GH Balcons, www.parishotels.com <BR> <BR>However, the hotel is not close to the Eiffel Tower, if that is what you are looking for. Hotel Muguet or Champs de Mars are much closer (do search for descriptions).

Monica

Jerald, you an email the hotel for reservations: [email protected].