kdk1965

Help! I have foudn the tickets but want to lock in the lodging at the same time. Does anyone know of a decent, safe, clean place? The four kiddos are 7, 7, 10, and 13. We don't mind a hostel and would rather not spend more than 150-200 a night.

Ideas?

Thanks!
Mary

Travelnut

You could try this budget hotel:
Hotel Excelsior, 20 rue Cujas 75005
http://www.123france.com/123/en/hote...885&nimg=4
It has triples for 95E (you could get 2)

Mostly good comments on www.paris.org, and one fair comment on Tripadvisor.

crepes_a_go_go

This is a great budget hotel. I have used it and recommend it highly. Good location too.

WillTravel

I haven't stayed here, but this one looks like it would work:
http://www.hotel-marignan.com/

This hostel is in Montmartre, so less convenient:
http://www.villagehostel.fr/

platzman

Try vrbo.com (apartments only). I'm considering renting one for a week in March for my family. I'm seeing reasonable prices per night of 120 euro.(for two bedrooms, kitchen, laundry, etc)

kdk1965

Thanks!

WillTravel

Mary,

Consider these hostels also:
http://www.bugeurope.com/reviews/Fra...isienne/Paris/

kdk1965

Thanks for all of the ideas. I am looking at them now since there aren't rooms at the first choice for all of the nights...


Mary

cmccloskey

Last June I took three girls with me for a week in Paris and rented an apartment in the 16th arrondisement. This was everything I wanted and more. I got the price break on lodgings, since the apartment is cheaper than comparable hotel rooms. We ate breakfast in the apartment and some dinners, so we established a comfortable routine. We ate dinners in the neighborhood, including the best pizza in Paris (PizzAmerica). Best of all, we were in a residential neighborhood, so we got to know the bakery lady, shopped at the outdoor market, and bought groceries at the local supermarket. I'll forever be comparing other vacations to the convenience and ambience of this one.
There are lots of apartment sites on the web. We booked at lodgis.com and were delighted. Our landlord lived just upstairs and stopped by to chat with his son.
One thing - you'll find signing a lease written in French somewhat intimidating. Don't let that stop you!
Go for the space - a two-bedroom apartment with enough beds (no one had to sleep on a sofabed) looking onto a quiet courtyard was perfect.
Magnifique!

cmccloskey

About pricing - my apartment cost 750 for the week in high season (June). That's a little over 100 euro a night for a two bedroom apartment with modern kitchen, brand-new bathroom and living room with satellite TV (metro a block away). I saved so much eating in the apartment that I actually had money left over when I came home!

Also, if you are traveling with kids don't dismiss going to the movies. Many American movies are shown 'version originale', which is in English but with French subtitles. The experience will be very familiar (and comforting) to the kids... but still different. A cultural experience that is seldom mentioned in the guidebooks, but will make an impression, and give the kids a break from cultural overload.

kdk1965

Thanks to all of you!

Unfortunately, the apartments are tough since we would need three bedrooms to get enough beds for all of us. That took us out of the price range.

On the other hand, I found an internet special at hotel excelsior and was able to fall within my price goals. We have two triples for 152,00 a night. Judging from the map it meets my desire for a place near a metro stop and within the budget.

Neat idea about the movie. We may try to do that since living in Italy doesn't always give us the chance to see the latest shows until much later.

Thanks again!!
Mary

WillTravel

Sounds like a great deal, Mary!