grandnational

Hello everyone,
well I'm finally booked for my European getaway. I did try this two years ago but ended up canceling my European trip due to frustration and confusion!
I am booked to go to Paris on August 16, 2013 then to fly to Barcelona on August 22, 2013 and then to board a Disney cruise of the Mediterranean on August 24, 2013.
The flights are booked, and now I am trying once again to find accommodations in these great cities..
I'm thinking about either an apartment or a hotel with connecting rooms near the Eiffel Tower and the seventh district. I should say that we are a family of five with two adults, and three children ages 10, 8, and 6.
In Barcelona we would like to stay near the beach as we envision the two days in Barcelona to be mostly a beach vacation before we board the Disney cruise for Europe.
I would appreciate any suggestions from the board, our budget is roughly US$3-US$400 a night for premium accomidations, but can be flexible as we are also celebrating our anniversary on this trip.
Thanks once again, I will keep the board informed as to what happens on our trip and how we managed to survive!

Robert2533

For Paris you can check Paris Perfect (www.parisperfect.com) to see what they have available in mid-August that fits within your budget. The apartment Beaujolais, in the 7th, is slightly out of your budget, but the Chardonnay apartment, also in the 7th, might work. The Côte Rôtie apartment, in the 15th, might also be an option.

Choices for beachside hotels in Barcelona are rather limited. Most people who what the beach head to Sitges, but your choices would be:

AC Front Maritim
Barcelona Princess
AC Barcelona Forum
Atenea Mar Barcelona Hotel
Hesperia Del Mar Hotel
Hilton Diagonal Mar
Arts Barcelona
Diagonal Port Barcelona
Icària Barcelona
Attica 21 Barcelona Mar
Barcelona Marina Hotel

Avalon2

try VAcation in Paris website for apt. rentals I do not like the 7th so can't help much there I love the 4th 5th and 6th . 4th has many great apts. and lots of services and good transportation. Too quiet in the 7th for me no buzz!!Try the 11th also! Like that you pay in advance in dollars and get the keys before you leave home but they do have local reps. to assist if neeeded.

grandnational

I have checked some sites and have an apartment in the Marais district available from Paris perfect OR THE Citadines apart hotel Eiffel Tower. Any thoughts from the forum would be appreciated as to which one is better. Still looking at Barcelona. Thank You.

justineparis

Why do you want to stay be ET its not the most central area, and there is a good park in the 6th, easily walked to if you stay in 5th or 6th(Luxembourg Gardens)

I also think the 4th (Marais) is a good choice, I would choose it over the 7th also. The 7th is just not as central as I like , when I took my son ( 13then) we stayed in 5th, and 1st, and when I took my 11 yr old daughter we stayed in 14th and 5th. ( We go for longer visits often two parters, hence two different hotel stays)

Getting a hotel for 5 is not easy, you do have be careful that they know its for five, they do count children, the fire codes are super strict and they won't put a group of 5 in a room that's only licenced to hold 4 etc.

Robert2533

"Why do you want to stay be ET its not the most central area"? It would depend on what you are doing. Besides, have you ever looked at map of Paris Ville? Nothing is more central than the 3rd and 6th, but that doesn't mean you should stay there.

Paris Ville is not that large an area. The 7th, near the Eiffel Tower, works well for many people. It's also close to some of my more favorite restaurants, such as La Fontaine de Mars.

Iwan2go

I agree that it is a bit more difficult to get around from the 7th. If you look at the Metro map, you'll see that the number one line runs all the way down the river on the right bank. So it depends on what you and your family want to see or experience the most.

We have rented from www.parisvacationapartments.com and loved it. They do have two two bedroom apartments available n your dates, in your budget.

Have a wonderful time! We went with our adult children and it was amazing

stricky

I suggest that you check the rental apartments managed by the Adrian Leeds Group. Here's the website: If you call them for guidance, they can tell you which units are adjacent to each other, or large enough for your family of 5. With kids, I think apartments are the way to go.
http://www.adrianleeds.com/parler-paris-apartments.

Christina

A lot of tourists are batty about the Eiffel Tower, I don't understand why (in terms of wanting to stay near it), but if that's what they want to do, there isn't anything wrong with it. Central Paris isn't that big that it makes that much difference. But in general, being right near the Eiffel Tower isn't particular nice in terms of the neighborhood but if you are more near Ecoles Militaire metro stop or something, that would be fine.

nytraveler

Citadines is nothing whatever like premium accommodation. It is VERY basic.

Not sure what you mean by "premium" but your budget seem very low for 2 hotel rooms at anything more than modest/moderate.

justineparis

I think it would be helpful if you thought in terms of euros instead of dollars, 300-400 dollars are one thing, but what you mean is 232-310 euros. So basically about 150 euros a room, which will not get you a premium hotel room. It WILL get you clean, safe, possibly well located, but do not expect chocolates on the pillows, down duvets or a concierge... lol

grandnational

Thank you for the very helpful responses so far. I have called the Westin Paris and received a rate of US$6000 for five nights! I see what the board means when they talk about premium versus basic accommodations.
I have checked for rental apartments and find that they are difficult for a five night stay hence I would still need to book a hotel. The Eiffel Tower citadines has a very reasonable rate of €1400 For the five night stay including breakfast. In the area safe? As I will be bringing my family I did not want to stay in an area that is not safe for young children.
On another note, I did book my flight from Paris Orly airport to Barcelona on Vueling airlines and and am looking for a Barcelona hotel. The W Barcelona hotel is asking US$1000 a night for two rooms!!
Does anyone on the board know of a nice Hotel centrally located in a safe neighborhood in Paris? My budget has increased now to US$700-800 a night for two rooms. It is true what they say about the cost of going to Europe. Ouch!!

Iwan2go

Have no fear, you can still find a place without spending $700/night. As Stricky suggested above, check out this totally amazing Adrian Leeds apartment practically ON the Place des Vosges in the 4th. Your children can play in the Place while you have a cup of coffee - or you can all have a picnic there. As it is near the number one Metro line, you can get to the Louvre, etc very easily.

It is available on your dates and will rent for four nights, costs 400E (which is about $520.00), has two bedrooms, two baths (one with tub) and a powder room, is in a security building. Beds in both bedrooms convert to twins, and there is a sofa sleeper in the living room. Man, I'd stay in this one in a flash, and I am picky.

http://adrianleeds.com/parler-paris-...ace-des-vosges

justineparis

The area the Citidines is in is very safe, do not worry about that at all. I have been to Paris as a solo woman, I have also taken my 11 yr old and 13 yr on separate one on one visits and safety in central Paris really is not half the issue it is in most of our own hometowns!! Your kids will be fine.
Having read some reviews on that aparthotel it seems the location is in fact a high point for many near, shops , parks etc , but it seems the hotel is not a luxury place,so if you are ok with clean functional and good location then I think its a good find for that price.

justineparis

The area the Citidines is in is very safe, do not worry about that at all. I have been to Paris as a solo woman, I have also taken my 11 yr old and 13 yr on separate one on one visits and safety in central Paris really is not half the issue it is in most of our own hometowns!! Your kids will be fine.
Having read some reviews on that aparthotel it seems the location is in fact a high point for many near, shops , parks etc , but it seems the hotel is not a luxury place,so if you are ok with clean functional and good location then I think its a good find for that price.

bendigo

Hopefully you are also loking at this thread:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...amily-of-4.cfm

grandnational

Thank you very much for all your great replies.
After discussing all the options with the better half and because it is our anniversary we have decided to stay at the Westin Paris vendome. We really blew our budget on this hotel as we had to get two rooms in order to fit our family of five. After reading some of the discussions on this forum it seems that this hotel is in a great location for families and is very safe.please don't post any negative comments as I have a nonrefundable rate LOL.
If anyone can recommend any restaurants or cafés in the area that would be appreciated.
Now I'm off to booking my Barcelona hotel for two days prior to our Disney cruise. We would like to be at the beach and I would like to thank Robert 2533 for his recommendations on beach hotels in Barcelona. After reviewing some of the options available including the Pullman Barcelona skipper,the W,and the Hilton diagonal mar I have realized that my budget is blown!
Can someone please suggest a hotel or apartment hotel complex in Barcelona that is within walking distance of the beach and close to a hop on hop off bus? I will really would appreciate any options you could provide. Thanking you in advance

Patty

<i>If anyone can recommend any restaurants or cafés in the area that would be appreciated.</i>

There are several small, casual restaurants on Rue du Mont Thabor and also at the Place du Marche Saint Honore. Many restaurants close in August so you'll have to see what's open. There's also a Franprix (small grocery store) at the Place du Marche Saint Honore if you want to pick up some snacks. There's an Eric Kayser bakery on Rue Danielle Casanova. For pastries, there's a Pierre Herme on Rue Cambon, a Jean Paul Hevin on Rue Saint Honore and a Hugo et Victor on Rue Gomboust.