joadan

My husband and I (mid 40's) will be in Paris for 3 days in October. We have narrowed our search to 3 hotels. Need help to decide which hotel will be idea for location, cleanliness, surrounding area.
1. Best Western Empire Elysees- (Champs Elysees area)
2. Holiday Inn Paris La Vilette (Northern Paris near the Center of Science and Industry and La Grande Halle)
3. Comfort Hotel Andre Latin (Latin Quarter on the left bank).

Thanks look forward to some responses.

ira

Hi jo,

Have you also looked up these hotels at www.tripadvisor.com?

Patrick

I personally would rate your hotels based on location only as
#1: Comfort Hotel
#2: Best Western Empire
#3: Holiday Inn

The Center of Science area is really removed from much of anything and a dull area itself. My first trip to Paris I stayed in the Champs Elysees area because I thought it was the thing to do -- it is to me, the most "unParis" of the areas. I love the Latin Quarter and Left Bank -- touristy, but for a reason.

Sorry I can't tell you anything specific about the three hotels themselves.

Robespierre

It should be added (to give you an idea of distances) that you can get from Arc de Triomphe to Bastille in 20 minutes by M&eacute;tro, so if your hotel is within the first tier of <i>arrondissements</i> (1-8), you're within a few minutes of everything.

But I think it's nice to step out of the hotel once in a while just to walk around the neighborhood. Montparnasse and Ecole Militaire are my favorites - many prefer the hustle and bustle of Champs-Elysees.

<i>Bon voyage!</i>

anotherjudy

I stayed at the Holiday Inn la Vilette several years ago. It is a perfectly nice hotel but the location is not good. As previously stated, it is a rather dull area. There is a metro station just outside the door but you will have to change trains at least once to get to the tourist areas. So a lot of your time will be spent commuting.
I have never stayed at the Best Western but the BW hotels in Europe in which I have stayed have been very nice and I enjoyed them. They are individually owned and tend to have personality.
Have a good time!

strass

We just got back from Paris and spent five nights in the Latin Quarter--and we loved it! For us, it was the perfect place to stay... narrow, winding cobblestoned streets, lots of locals out and about (many in their 20s, as we are), lots of shops and picturesque buildings, tons of cafes and restaurants, a stone's throw from the river and Notre Dame... we just loved it. Lots of Metro and RER stops in the area, too (we were near the Cluny/La Sorbonne Metro stop and the Luxembourg RER-B) stop).

Christina

Do NOT not not stay at La Villette. This is barely in Paris.

The Comfort Andre Latin is fairly near Luxembourg Gardens in the 5th, and that's a pleasant area I like a lot. There's a bus that goes down that street which is also convenient (Gay Lussac) and it's near the Lux. RER stop. I think it's a good 2* hotel, I think I've read a few comments on here about it. I've been by it, seems okay. Expect the usual 2* Paris hotel experience, I imagine (small rooms, probably rather basic furnishings). The hotel is not that near a metro stop and is more towards rue Claude Bernard, as I recall, than bd St Michel.

That BW isn't in the 8th, but the 17th several blocks NW of the Arc. At least it's fairly convenient to metro (between CDG and Ternes) and the Champs-Elyees and Arc. It's not an area I would choose for ambience, but okay. I guess it's a 3* hotel, looks like it.

I don't know how chose these as your final possible 3 hotels, as they are so different, unless you are getting some tremendous deal, but I'd pick the Andre Latin from those choices (def. not La Villette), if that's the level of hotel you want. I would expect all would be clean, actually. I probably would not choose any of them, actually, as the Andre Latin is not as close to a metro stop as I'd like, but it's not too bad.

Travelnut

Are these choices in a package deal or something..?

StCirq

I have the same question as others: Why these three hotels? None of them is particularly attractive, especially considering the wealth of great hotels in that city. Anyway, whatever you do, don't opt for the one in La Villette.

mamc

I guess I have the same question - why these hotels? It is important to your enjoyment of Paris to choose a hotel in a nice neighborhood and to stay in an area that will not require you to commute to get to every sight. The best area of those included is the Latin Quarter. I know nothing about any of the hotels but wonder if you might look further. Do you have a price range?

suze

Wondering the same as others, why these 3 hotels specifically?

I have no idea of cleanliness but for location and area, the LATIN QUARTER is where I'd pick, hands down.

joadan

The reason we have chosen these hotels, is mainly because they are American chain. We are only there for 3 days, flying in from Vienna. Looking on the internet can be sooooooooo overwelming with soooooooo many choices. The main criterias we are looking for is great location, TV in room, private bath, clean, access to metro stop, decent size room for 2 people with a price range up to $150.00 per night. If anyone has any suggestions we are open.

Thanks
JoaDan

Travelnut

I have stayed in both 'Best Western' and 'Comfort' hotels in Europe. They in <b>no way</b> resemble their counterparts in the US. The rooms have no consistency in size, shape, furnishings or amenities. (Can't speak for Holiday Inn). It is no different researching and booking these hotels than any independent French hotel, because they are just as unique. Perhaps it is the online booking system that makes you comfortable.

There are a number of hotels marketed by BW that are in great locations. The Comfort hotels are usually 2* and a bit plainer than the BW, which will usually be more 3*.

There are so many threads here about Paris hotels. You might read those, and pick out 6-10 that are recommended, and try reserving rooms now.

strass

You don't have to stay in an American chain hotel to get a great location, TV in room, private bath, clean, access to metro stop, decent size room for 2 people with a price range up to $150.00 per night. I'd take Travelnut's advice and do some research here. Use the reviews at Tripadvisor to help. Good luck!

Christina

Some people do find it easier to book with an American chain, for communication reasons or something, I guess. I think that can be true with Best Western (I know they have 800 no and should have comprehensive info on all their hotels and vacancies), but I didn't think the Comfort chaint so much. Maybe Holiday Inn is like BW, not sure.

BW is not all alike in the US, either, it's simply a marketing consortium. I don't think that's the reason joadan chose them, but there is nothing wrong with using them. However, they have much much better choices in Paris than that one, although I don't know rates. The BW Left Bank is good, the Jardin de Cluny is a BW and a better location. There are lots of BWs in central Paris (a couple around the Opera that I think would be good, also).

There are a couple Holiday Inns in central Paris, also, I don't know why you chose one at La Villette. If it's for money, I do think the suburban ones (which are more typical modern HIs) are a lot cheaper, but that's for a reason. There are a couple nice HIs in Paris like the one at Republique or near Eiffel Tower. There is a HI St Germain, also. The Best Westerns have better variety and coverage (BW Belloy is another possibility, in St Germain).

I think the problem is you are assuming something about using these makes it easier for you, but you are ending up having to find out about the hotel, anyway. Maybe it's just a way for you to limit choices.

sandi_travelnut

We're staying at Hotel Henri IV in the 6th and a double room is 150e per night in high season (we'll be there in Dec.) It's about a block from the Seine by Notre Dame. Check out the website.

http://www.henri-paris-hotel.com/