Paris Hotels Left Bank Thread

Old Oct 18th, 2008, 09:32 AM
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Paris Hotels Left Bank Thread

Since two questions that are so often asked in the Paris-related forum are related to hotel choice and apartment rentals, I think a thread is needed to address the topic.
The apartment thread has already been started and has worked out quite well. So, I think we need a hotel thread. So, what I'll do is start two hotel threads, one for the LEFT Bank and one for the RIGHT Bank. I will try to top them and keep them current.
So, make your lists of hotels that you like and PLEASE post with complete information and a short description. And remember to post them under the correct BANK. Happy Travels!
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Old Oct 18th, 2008, 09:51 AM
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OK. I'll start. I've stayed at hotels all over Paris, almost annually, since the mid 70s. However, I prefer the LEFT Bank. I've stayed at different hotels in the 6th and one hotel in the 7th exclusively since the early 80s. However, I recommend the following hotel:

Hotel Clement
6,rue Clement
75006 Paris
Tel: 01-43-26-53-60
Fax: 01-44-07-06-83
[email protected]

The hotel is located on a square. I always recommend a room on a high floor and facing the street. I'm a light sleeper, but have had no problems as it's on a square. Plus, I always pack foam earplugs, just in case, when traveling anywhere.

The hotel is in the heart of the 6th, one block south of Bd. St.Germain and a few steps away from the Mabillon metro station ...Line 10 and about a 5-minute walk to the St. Germain metro station...Line 4. There are also lots of buses and a taxi stand not far away. And it's very easy to walk to both the 5th and 7th from there. I do it all the time.

Last year, I was in shock when I saw it listed in Departures Magazine which is the magazine for American Express Platinum card holders. The word is really out now. It's not an expensive hotel though which is one reason that I didn't expect to see it listed in Departures. When I last stayed there, April 2006, I paid the equivalent of about US$180. for a room with two beds.

I've recommended this hotel to many people and no one has complained. And friends have returned to it on their return trips to Paris. Happy Travels!
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Old Oct 18th, 2008, 12:06 PM
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Sorry to interrupt, just thought it would help to load the link to the 'other bank' thread so they stay somewhat 'tied' together..

If you want the "Right Bank" hotels thread, go here:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=35162716
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Old Oct 18th, 2008, 12:14 PM
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Hi Guenmai-
I just got back from Paris where we stayed on both the Left and Right bank.
In the 5th, we stayed at the Hotel des Grandes Ecoles.
http://www.hotel-grandes-ecoles.com
Here's what I wrote about it:
The hotel has a beautiful courtyard filled with flowers. Our room is very small and on the back of the hotel. There's no TV and no refrigerator. The bathroom is tiny and the grout could use a good cleaning. Wall to wall floral wallpaper and drapes. Beds are not new, at least not this decade. But it's cute and in a good location.
In the summer it would be lovely to sit in the garden, though there's no AC in the rooms. We almost never see the same person at the front desk. Most of them are helpful and nice, but not all. There is internet for a fee and it only works sporadically and has a very weak signal in the room. This later becomes a great source of frustration.
The room was 118 euro per night in October 2008.
Would I stay there again? Maybe. It was good for the price, but I think I would choose someplace else for the next time. There are things that are important to me personally when I travel that make things easier ('fridge, reliable internet) that may not matter to others.
The hotel is certainly popular and they book up fast, even though they don't take reservations more than 3 months in advance.
If anyone wants to see pictures of the hotel, or our room, they are on my website at
http://www.wired2theworld.com/PARIS2008day1.html
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Old Oct 18th, 2008, 02:29 PM
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Our Left-Bank favorite is the Madison, on the Blvd St-Germain opposite the church and about 1/2 block from the métro station. It's a small hotel done in traditional style; corner rooms and those overlooking the boulevard (no road noise) are larger than the Paris norm, and there's a lovely suite on the 6th floor. Bathrooms are well equipped, and the rooms have quite a lot of storage.

The small lobby has a fireplace and bar, while the large breakfast area features a groaning buffet table. You can also have a continental breakfast in your room.

There are 2 elevators, one for guests and another for luggage--although we've used that one as well.

There's an ATM just down the block and a Monoprix about a block away. About 3 doors from the hotel is Vesuvius, an excellent, moderatly priced Italian/French restaurant. Almost as close are a Thai and Chinese restaurant, and about half a block away is a Léon de Bruxelles.
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Old Oct 18th, 2008, 02:33 PM
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Thanks again, Travelnut. Happy Travels!
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Old Oct 18th, 2008, 02:39 PM
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Note: The Madison Hotel is also in an excellent location, less than a 5-minute walk from the Hotel Clement. The price range will be higher than the Clement. I've heard many excellent reviews about the Madison and have passed by it many times. It's just out of my price range. Happy Travels!
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Old Oct 18th, 2008, 06:36 PM
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Note: hotelclementparis.com They have a different website than they used to have. Happy Travels!
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Old Oct 18th, 2008, 07:14 PM
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What a good idea. Thanks for all contributions. I've only stayed in one hotel on the Left Bank and unfortunately can't recommend it, so it's great to have others.
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Old Oct 18th, 2008, 07:51 PM
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We have stayed in two hotels on the Left Bank, both on the same street, the rue de Bourgogne. This is in the 7th but near the 6th, just to the sw of the d'Orsay. It's a great street with patisseries, and there are loads of shopping, cafes, and more nearby. There are many government buildings and upscale apartment buildings nearby.

The first hotel was the Palais Bourbon, where we had a standard triple. The young members of the staff were great, and we thought the older members a bit dire. However, that was in '02, so I can't speak for current staff. On our last night, we had the upstairs attic room, which was big and lovely. While the bath in the triple was a little small, it wasn't miniscule. Clean and comfortable, but not luxurious. A really good spot for families as they have rooms for triples and more.

Prices are higher than when we were there, but it also seems that there have been upgrades.

http://www.bourbon-paris-hotel.com/index.html

Two years later, we stayed at the Hotel de Varenne. We liked their little courtyard, and our room had a partial view of the ET. However, the bathroom window was over the street and noisy in the early morning.

We were staying 6 nights and were able to negotiate breakfast as included.

http://www.varenne-hotel-paris.com/index.html




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Old Oct 18th, 2008, 11:10 PM
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We are looking for a hotel in Paris that is hip, and not stuffy ... any recommendations in the left bank.. something fairly new ?
 
Old Oct 19th, 2008, 05:54 AM
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We always stay at the Hotel des Saints Peres at 65, Rue des Saints Peres, a block off the Blvd St. Germaine at the border between the 6th and 7th.

The location is wonderful; if you are a walker you can walk from there to anyplace in Arrondisements 1-8. It is located 2 blocks from three Metro stations. The hotel is attractive, has a lovely, welcoming, helpful staff, good-sized rooms and large modern baths.

We have stayed there 6 times since 1999 and have thoroughly enjoyed each stay. Rooms run from 155 Euro for a small double to 235Euro for a large twin.
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Old Oct 19th, 2008, 06:39 AM
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We, too, have stayed at several hotels in Paris, on both the left and right banks. But we have returned most frequently to the

Parc St. Severin
22 rue de la Parcheminerie
5th Arrondissement
011 33 1 43 54 32 17
fax 43 54 70 71
[email protected]
www.esprit-de-france.com
Also check Parisby.com

near the corner of Blvd. St. Germain and Blvd. St. Michel, close to two metro stops, remodeled in 2008, prices for doubles under 200 euros.

Pleasant front desk (especially Beatrice), small but nicely appointed rooms, decent sized public room with nice breakfast area. Double glazed windows keep noise from street below generally subdued. Streets surrounding are touristy and can be crowded.

The other hotel I most frequently recommend, also in the 5th Arrondissement, is

Hotel de Notre Dame (note address as there are several hotels with Notre Dame in their names)
19 rue Maitre Albert
01 43 26 79 00
fax 01 46 33 50 11
check on parisby.com, or try
[email protected]
near the Maubert Mutualite market and metro stop

Delightful front desk (the charming Dominque), small nicely appointed rooms, charming breakfast room and nice public rooms, approx. similar prices to Parc St. Severin. Some rooms can be very small.
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Old Oct 19th, 2008, 09:18 AM
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Azzure...You can still post your hotel, so that others can beware. Happy Travels!
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Old Oct 19th, 2008, 09:33 AM
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Newmanparker: I've started this thread to be merely a list of recommended hotels with a description. It would be best if you have a specific question to ask, to ask it on your hotel thread. Thanks. Good luck in finding what you're looking for. Happy Travels!
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Old Oct 19th, 2008, 10:32 AM
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Thanks posters for your helpful recommendations. Keep them coming. Happy Travels!
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Old Oct 19th, 2008, 05:16 PM
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Bookmarking
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Old Oct 20th, 2008, 03:59 AM
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I've already posted about my favorite Left Bank Hotels (Parc St. Severin and Hotel de Notre Dame) but should probably also mention my unfavorite--Hotel Odeon. The location couldn't be better--directly on the little triangle by Yves Cambdeborde's Comptoir restaurant and several other cute places--but the rooms and bathrooms were even smaller than the typical Paris small left bank hotels and the price is as much as the better ones. Service also was minimal, impersonal and uncaring.
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Old Oct 20th, 2008, 04:02 PM
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We were very happy with the Hotel Le Regent, 61, Rue Dauphine, in the 6eme.
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Old Oct 20th, 2008, 04:16 PM
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Hi Julie:

Can you give the address of the Hotel Odeon that you didn't like? There are at least a few hotels with Odeon in their name.
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