New Orient Hotel/8e -- good location?
Aug 27th, 2005, 07:52 PM
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New Orient Hotel/8e -- good location?
A friend of mine has recommended this hotel, which looks very nice and has a room available, but I am concerned that it may be too far from major sites. This is my first time in Paris, and I will be there 5 days, but I don't want to spend all my time on the metro or a bus. What are your thoughts on staying in this area?
Aug 28th, 2005, 07:18 AM
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This is on rue de Constantinople, between metros Villiers and Europe.
There are quite a few favorable comments on Tripadvisor. We stayed at a different hotel on the other side of the Villiers metro and really loved being 'off center'. We walked from our hotel to Galeries Lafayette & Opera without much effort, otherwise we do use the metro very freely.
You can look it up on PagesJaunes.fr and see the buildings along the street - there's a Franprix grocer directly across, and I could see a couple of cafes at each corner...You can also easily walk to the Parc Monceau, or even Montmartre/Sacre Coeur.
You don't have to spend "all your time" on the metro or bus, you get on it in the morning to get to Latin Quarter or Ile de Cite or wherever, spend your day how you wish, then you 'go home' in the afternoon or evening.
If the price is right, then go for it...
http://www.hotel-paris-orient.com/
There are quite a few favorable comments on Tripadvisor. We stayed at a different hotel on the other side of the Villiers metro and really loved being 'off center'. We walked from our hotel to Galeries Lafayette & Opera without much effort, otherwise we do use the metro very freely.
You can look it up on PagesJaunes.fr and see the buildings along the street - there's a Franprix grocer directly across, and I could see a couple of cafes at each corner...You can also easily walk to the Parc Monceau, or even Montmartre/Sacre Coeur.
You don't have to spend "all your time" on the metro or bus, you get on it in the morning to get to Latin Quarter or Ile de Cite or wherever, spend your day how you wish, then you 'go home' in the afternoon or evening.
If the price is right, then go for it...
http://www.hotel-paris-orient.com/
Aug 28th, 2005, 08:13 AM
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We all have different ways we like to travel. But I'm far more comfortable being able to pop in and out of my hotel several times a day, rather than prepare myself for all possibilities of weather and activity for a full day's "trip into Paris". Who wants to buy something you might happen to see at 10 in the morning and then carry it around all day and evening with you? Why carry an umbrella, sweater or raincoat when leaving at 8 in the morning on a beautiful day because it "might" rain later in the day. Being close to my hotel is a MAJOR plus for me.
I personally would have been very UNHAPPY being so far out for my FIRST trip to Paris.
I personally would have been very UNHAPPY being so far out for my FIRST trip to Paris.
Aug 28th, 2005, 09:54 AM
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Well, of course, you can get a hotel next door to the Eiffel, but it will be 1.7km walk to Place de la Concorde (for example)... or a hotel by the Arenes with a 1 km walk to Notre Dame, or a hotel by Villiers with a 1.7 walk to Place de la Concorde (passing St Augustin, Opera/Gal Lafayette, and Madeleine on the way).
Even the Marais and St Germain fans probably don't walk all the way to the Opera or Arc de T. or Tour Eiffel...
It's not like the hotel is in Neuilly or something...and yes, we do stay in the double-digits (14/15/17th) and enjoy it very much but we don't seem to have a need to pop into/out of our hotel all day. We usually go back for an afternoon rest or to change for dinner...
Even the Marais and St Germain fans probably don't walk all the way to the Opera or Arc de T. or Tour Eiffel...
It's not like the hotel is in Neuilly or something...and yes, we do stay in the double-digits (14/15/17th) and enjoy it very much but we don't seem to have a need to pop into/out of our hotel all day. We usually go back for an afternoon rest or to change for dinner...
Aug 28th, 2005, 10:19 AM
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Thanks so much for your replies! Maybe some background will help in deciding which area (Opera or Latin Quarter) is best suited for me. I'm 34, traveling solo, and I want to experience the city more than just "see the sights." I plan to go back in the spring on trip with my mom to kick off her retirement, so I'll probably save a lot of the museums and big sites (Versailles) for then. This time, I want to see the city, the people, and probably shop. 
What do you think of staying in more than one area--2 nights in one and 3 in the other? Would it be more hassle than it's worth?
What do you think of staying in more than one area--2 nights in one and 3 in the other? Would it be more hassle than it's worth?
Aug 28th, 2005, 10:53 AM
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I suggest that you stay in the Latin Quarter, no doubt about it, whether you're solo or with others. It's a far more interesting area than the 8th! Well, I've been there and like it alot so maybe I'm biased.
Aug 28th, 2005, 12:38 PM
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This board has a definite leaning toward the Rive Gauche, so you won't find much advice for anything near the Opera... there are a bazillion hotels (not all of them good) around the Opera/Madeleine, which is where two of the three largest department stores are located (Galeries Lafayette and Printemps), as well as the high-end stores in the rue du Faubourg St Honore area... but I'm no shopper, so you can't go by me...
Did you notice that your first question was about whether the hotel was too far from the sights, yet on this trip you aren't planning to 'do' the sights?...
Did you notice that your first question was about whether the hotel was too far from the sights, yet on this trip you aren't planning to 'do' the sights?...
Aug 28th, 2005, 01:04 PM
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Yeah, Iknow, Travelnut. I'm kinda all over the place. I just thought about it more since my first post and decided that since I'm going back in 6 months, I'd to relax and not rush around being too "touristy." This trip was kinda an impulsive "why the heck not" idea, so I haven't planned everything out as I would usually do.
I've come to somewhat of a decision--I sent a online reservation request to Abbatial St. Germaine in the Latin Quarter for the first 3 nights; as soon as they confirm, I'm going to cut back the stay at the New Orient to the last two nights. That way I'll see more of the city, be close to two different shopping areas and a lot of the sights in case I decide to go them after all (I'm sure I'll some on this trip), and if I don't like one area as much as the other, well, I won't be spending the whole trip there.
And thanks for the tip on pagejaunes--I'm going to check that out now.
I just thought about it more since my first post and decided that since I'm going back in 6 months, I'd to relax and not rush around being too "touristy." This trip was kinda an impulsive "why the heck not" idea, so I haven't planned everything out as I would usually do. I've come to somewhat of a decision--I sent a online reservation request to Abbatial St. Germaine in the Latin Quarter for the first 3 nights; as soon as they confirm, I'm going to cut back the stay at the New Orient to the last two nights. That way I'll see more of the city, be close to two different shopping areas and a lot of the sights in case I decide to go them after all (I'm sure I'll some on this trip), and if I don't like one area as much as the other, well, I won't be spending the whole trip there.
And thanks for the tip on pagejaunes--I'm going to check that out now.
Aug 28th, 2005, 11:38 PM
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Hi,
I agree with everything Travelnut has to say. I would prefer the location of the New Orient anytime on that of the Latin Quarter or St. Germain, both of which I find, apart from a few sights and bookshops, charmless, crowded, noisy and expensive. I would gladly stay at the New Orient if I could afford it. You'd be next to Rue de Lévis market which is great and mainly visited by Parisians and which has a few fun-looking cafes outside, right on Avenue de Villiers, you could stroll around Parc Monceau, visit the wonderful Nissim de Camondo museum and the newly re-opened Cernuschi museum. On your way to the Opera and the department stores you could stop at the Museé Jacquemart-André and a few stops by Métro line no. 2 (from Villiers) will take you to the Museé de la Vie Romantique that is worth visiting (while in the neighbourhood you could visit Denise Acabo's fabulous chocolate & candy shop, on 30 Rue Fontaine).
The Métro is very easy to use and is a great means of transportation. I always use it while in Paris since there's so much to see outside the most central areas and because I almost always stay in the outer areas. I like your idea of switching hotels midway. If it's no hassle for you, then by all means do it.
I don't think you'll regret staying in the 8th. Have a great trip.
I agree with everything Travelnut has to say. I would prefer the location of the New Orient anytime on that of the Latin Quarter or St. Germain, both of which I find, apart from a few sights and bookshops, charmless, crowded, noisy and expensive. I would gladly stay at the New Orient if I could afford it. You'd be next to Rue de Lévis market which is great and mainly visited by Parisians and which has a few fun-looking cafes outside, right on Avenue de Villiers, you could stroll around Parc Monceau, visit the wonderful Nissim de Camondo museum and the newly re-opened Cernuschi museum. On your way to the Opera and the department stores you could stop at the Museé Jacquemart-André and a few stops by Métro line no. 2 (from Villiers) will take you to the Museé de la Vie Romantique that is worth visiting (while in the neighbourhood you could visit Denise Acabo's fabulous chocolate & candy shop, on 30 Rue Fontaine).
The Métro is very easy to use and is a great means of transportation. I always use it while in Paris since there's so much to see outside the most central areas and because I almost always stay in the outer areas. I like your idea of switching hotels midway. If it's no hassle for you, then by all means do it.
I don't think you'll regret staying in the 8th. Have a great trip.
Aug 29th, 2005, 05:16 AM
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You're never alone, Travelnut . But next time I'm "betraying" double-digits, staying in the 7th, which I think will be quiet enough. I still need to try the 8th, 17th, 14th, 15th, the 6th near Raspail Métro (love it!) and go back to the 11th and Nation area, also favourites.
. But next time I'm "betraying" double-digits, staying in the 7th, which I think will be quiet enough. I still need to try the 8th, 17th, 14th, 15th, the 6th near Raspail Métro (love it!) and go back to the 11th and Nation area, also favourites.
Aug 29th, 2005, 07:08 AM
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Thanks, Keren, for the second vote of confidence for the 8th. You hit on one of the reasons why I want to spend some time in the 5th, though--bookshops. I was an English major and I work as an editor. I'd be betraying my profession if I didn't stay in the area most haunted by so many writers. ;-)
You hit on one of the reasons why I want to spend some time in the 5th, though--bookshops. I was an English major and I work as an editor. I'd be betraying my profession if I didn't stay in the area most haunted by so many writers. ;-)
Aug 29th, 2005, 11:15 AM
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The New Orient has gotten several good write-ups in a few places as a good hotel for that price (can't recall where, some travel mags or articles).
I wouldn't call the Abbatial exactly in the middle of a shopping area. If you wanted shopping, you should have stayed in St Germain. There aren't a lot of great bookshops around the Abbatial, either, they are in St Germain and other areas. Well, there is the old Shakespeare & Co near the quai, but that's nothing but some used English books, and I don't think anything real special is in there like collectibles. I might be wrong, I was only in there once trying to buy a book because I ran out of reading material, and thought the clerks were kind of snotty (they were some expat Americans, very young) and full of themselves because they have some low level job in Paris. There is one small shop that sells kids books and maybe some cookbooks on rue Dante, I believe.
I go to the bookshops in St Germain, like Hune, or just the major ones if I am doing serious shopping (Joseph Gibert, etc.).
I wouldn't call the Abbatial exactly in the middle of a shopping area. If you wanted shopping, you should have stayed in St Germain. There aren't a lot of great bookshops around the Abbatial, either, they are in St Germain and other areas. Well, there is the old Shakespeare & Co near the quai, but that's nothing but some used English books, and I don't think anything real special is in there like collectibles. I might be wrong, I was only in there once trying to buy a book because I ran out of reading material, and thought the clerks were kind of snotty (they were some expat Americans, very young) and full of themselves because they have some low level job in Paris. There is one small shop that sells kids books and maybe some cookbooks on rue Dante, I believe.
I go to the bookshops in St Germain, like Hune, or just the major ones if I am doing serious shopping (Joseph Gibert, etc.).
Aug 29th, 2005, 05:30 PM
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I didn't care for Shakespeare & Co. The clerk was congenial, but the store is sort of like a fire hazard with books stacked everywhere. It's a bit dusty too. I prefer the Gibert Jeune branch at Pl. St. Michel.
