New comers to London and Paris

Old Jul 9th, 2005, 09:57 AM
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New comers to London and Paris

This is my first time to London and Paris. And I will have my honeymoon there.

I am now considering "Bonnington Hotel" and "The Montague on The Gardens". Can anyone give any comments on these two hotel ? Are both just 5-min walk from the Holborn tube station ?

As I know, they are located at the Bloomsbury area. Is it a safe area if I get back late night after watching the theatre.

Also, I will go to Paris. Are there any recommended hotel ?
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Old Jul 9th, 2005, 10:00 AM
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ira
 
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Hi S,

Enter <honeymoon AND hotel AND Paris> in the "search this forum" box.

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Old Jul 9th, 2005, 10:06 AM
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Go to biddingfortravel.com and learn how to use Priceline. You can more than double your value by staying away from the center of things.

Public transport in both cities is safe and efficient.

(You don't have to enter AND in Fodor's search box. It's implicit.)
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Old Jul 9th, 2005, 10:07 AM
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I don't know anything about your London hotels, and haven't taken the time to try to look them up - - perhaps they give a clue as to the budget you have in mind. Without it, it's a waste of time to make a recommendation to you from the hundreds of hotels in Paris.

There are many good message threads about Paris hotels here.

Here are just a few to get you started...

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34457479

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34557892

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34522747

And you can read several dozen reviews here on Paris hotels by clicking on "hotels" at the top of this page. The website www.tripadvisor.com has twice that number and www.venere.com will help you get a feel for the broad spectrum of choices as well.

The website www.webscapades.com has live, English-speaking operators on a toll-free (US) line, and can both advise and book.

Best wishes,

Rex
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Old Jul 9th, 2005, 10:08 AM
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Oh... and I forgot to add... whatever your decision...

...congratulations on your new life in marriage!
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Old Jul 9th, 2005, 10:14 AM
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We stayed in Bloomsbury at the Academy and walked home from Covent Garden after a play. We felt perfectly safe.

I would think the Montague would be closer to the Russell Square tube station--if it's open.
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Old Jul 9th, 2005, 10:30 AM
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I have stayed at the Kingsway Hall hotel which is only one block from the Holborn station. I think both of these hotels are more like a 10 minute walk to Holborn. Another station might be closer. The neighborhood should be fine for walking back after the theatre.

As far as Paris hotels, set your budget, then do a search as others suggested. When I was planning my trip to Paris last year, I became overwhelmed with choosing a hotel because there are so many of them. On tripadvisor, there are reviews on over 1,500 hotels. Most Paris hotels are small therefore the need for so many. So pick an area of town you want to stay in, figure out your budget and research this forum. After that, if you have specific questions, there are many here that will help.
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Old Jul 9th, 2005, 10:31 AM
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I stayed at the Montague on the Gardens in 2004, and would stay there again. You can read the review I posted after my stay at http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...erty_id=312192

The hotel is located between the Holborn and Russell Square tube stations (which are on different lines), and is about a 5-minute walk from each station. I usually used the Russell Square station, and, as a woman traveling by myself, I had no qualms about returning to the neighborhood after an evening theatre performance.

The Montague is often available at discounted prices on Londowntown.com, and you can also often find good deals on the website for Red Carnation Hotels, the chain of which the Montague is part.
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Old Jul 9th, 2005, 10:42 AM
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First of all, congratuations!

I've stayed at both the Bonnington and the Montague and would happily re-visit either. Both are within 5 minutes walk of the Holburn tube. It's a very pleasant neighborhood absolutely within walking distance of the theatres. There are lots of people on the street, especially after the theatre lets out, and we never felt unsafe. London is a major city so all general warnings about conducting yourselves would apply.

Neither are upscale properties so I'm assuming budget plays a part your decision. I'd give the edge to the Montague. Smaller, more on the charming side, and just a little nicer.

I would agree that for the same price you'll pay at the Bonnington and the Montague you could get a 4 star on Priceline and that might well be worth a look since it's your honeymoon. I disagree that, in London, your value *necessarily* doubles by staying away from the center of things, particularly if you're interested in the theatre.
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Old Jul 9th, 2005, 12:16 PM
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Since I've been shopping for London hotels lately, I've researched a lot of them by reading the reports of who got what for how much on biddingfortravel.

Typical prices for the same level in the inner zones cost twice as much as those further out. Yes, as in anything else, there are statistical generalities and outliers.

Try it.
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Old Jul 9th, 2005, 12:23 PM
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Hi S,

What's your hotel budget?

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Old Jul 10th, 2005, 09:00 AM
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Thanks all for your advice.

My budget is around GBP 100 for hotels in London and EUR 120 for hotels in Paris.
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Old Jul 10th, 2005, 10:15 AM
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I stayed at the Montague in December, 2004. I was traveling by myself and often came in later in the evening and never felt unsafe.

The hotel was very comfortable and I thought it was good value. I've been to London a number of times - this was my first time in the Bloomsbury area and I really liked it.

Have a wonderful time!
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Old Jul 10th, 2005, 11:42 AM
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ira
 
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Hi S,

In Paris, we always stay at the Hotel Bonaparte, 61 Rue Bonaparte in the 6th. About 124E dbl w/bkfst

Hotel Bonaparte
Tel 33 1 43 26 97 37
FAX 33 1 46 33 57 67

For more info, enter "Hotel Bonaparte" in the "search this forum" box.

Photos are at http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&x=0&y=-l95uyr


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Old Jul 11th, 2005, 01:51 AM
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Bllomsbury is as safe as anywhere in London - just take the usual precautions late at night (ie don't flaunt camcorders etc).

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