Minervan

Which is better? Hotel du Lys (latin Quarter, 5th) or Hotel Louis II (St Germain, 6th). I can book either for 3 days at $145. I have also booked the Hotel de Nesle for the remaining 3 days of my trip to save a little $$. I have a room for $87 (75 Euros) with bath. I'm wondering if this deal is too good to be true! I don't need TV or elevator, but I want clean and charming. Any comments?

francophile03

I haven't read any glowing reviews about Louis II. It appears that the value is pretty low for the high rates they charge. I know that Hotel du Lys has been commented favorably especially by Grandmere I believe.

pj

hOW DID you book Hotel Nesle, I have checked out the hotel, liked the location but they would not reserve in advance. Have they changed their policy. PJ

Lesli

PJ - According to the Nesle's (relatively new) website, they do now take reservations; but only by phone.

www.hoteldenesle.com

Minervan

francophile03, were you able to find any reviews about Louis II? I've only seen one review, and it was favorable. The photographs of the hotel look charming, plus the area is great. So I'm wondering if one reason why the Hotel du Lys gets such good reviews is that most people getting a value at one of the lower rates. In my case, however, the rate I was quoted is slightly higher than Louis II, which isn't as great of a value.

francophile03

Maybe the review I read is outdated. It's from "Charming Small Hotel Guides Paris" by Fiona Duncan and Leonie Glass. It was last published in 2001. They didn't care for the hotel but did say a new owner had taken over and they wanted any guests to report back to them.
What they didn't like at that time was the lack of maintenance like the "scruffy corridors" but did admit the hotel had charm.

grandmere

I like the du Lys very much; I think it is good value for the money. It was, of course, much more economical before the dollar fell. I paid 110 euro in '02 and again last month, for a double, inc. breakfast. In '02 that was around $100 and last month it was nearer $135. It is actually in the 6th, but very near the 5th, if you consider Boul' Mich to be the dividing line between the Latin Quarter and St. Germain. It is a very charming and clean hotel; the building dates from the 17th century. There is no elevator, but there is cable tv, room safe, and hair dryer in bathroom. There are some pictures on its website www.hoteldulys.com. It was listed in a recent article in Wash. Post on Les Bargain Beds--hotels that were under $150 but still retained the integrity of the original buildings.
It is in an excellent location for touring either right or left bank.

PS Where were you quoted the $145 price; the website quotes (or at least it did a few days ago!) 110 euro for a double, and that's not quite $145, unless the dollar has fallen a lot very recently.

Minervan

I sent an email directly to the hotel asking for a room for one person. They responded that they had a room available for 125 Euros. I do not know whether that's a double room (and the only thing they had available). I think that turns out to be about $145-148. I never eat breakfast, so having that included in the price is always a total waste for me. (I just can't eat in the morning!) The Hotel Louis II was a little cheaper, but not by much -- 110 Euros. I'm booking at the last minute, so it's hard to find a single room at an economical rate.

grandmere

They must be putting you in the triple b/c that's what it costs. I paid 95 euro, as listed on website, for a single.

Much as I like the du Lys, I probably wouldn't pay for the triple as a single traveler.

Minervan

Thanks for your input about the triple room. I decided it was a little high for one person, so I found a room at the Hotel Central Saint Germain for 85 Euros (about $100). It's highly recommended by people at Tripadvisor.com. So I'll try that instead. Thanks, Grandmere, for your help.