CNYU

We are staying at the ​Ibis Styles Gare De L’Est while in Paris. I wanted a Hotel centrally located near a train station, We would like reviews regarding this Hotel and information on restaurants in the area. I'm excited about our trip but also a bit nervous that I couldn't find many reviews about this Hotel.

StCirq

I don't think of the Gare de l'Est as being particularly central. And while I can understand wanting to be near a particular train station, I don't get just wanting to be "near A train station." Why? Train station neighborhoods are often a bit seedy by most people's standards - not unsafe, but a bit grubby.

That said, Ibis hotels are usually good value.

jpie

If you look at tripadvisor it gives you a pretty good idea:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...de_France.html

Is there a particular reason why you want to be near "a train station" versus a particular train station-will you be coming or going to Paris by train? I am asking because depending on where you might be going, the train station will be different.

In terms of centrally located, this is okay but you could probably do better-if it is a first trip for you, you might want to look a bit closer to the river which might be a bit handier for visiting the major sights. But this location does have the advantage of being close to the Quai de Valmy where in the canal area where there are lots of cute shops and restaurants these days.

Nikki

The usual advice is to stay near a metro station. That way, you have connections all over Paris and can get anywhere in a reasonably short time. But there are many more of those than there are train stations, and if it is access to the sights of Paris that you want, you don't need to be near a train station.

If you are taking a trip by train out of Paris, you have to know which station you need for that trip. But in any event, you can easily get to the station you need on the metro if you would rather stay somewhere more central.

That said, the Gare de l'Est is, as noted, near the Canal St. Martin, which is a pleasant spot. On the other side of the canal is a restaurant I loved on my last trip to Paris. Philou, 12 avenue Richerand. It is a tiny place and reservations are a must.

CNYU

Thank you for your help. I did go on trip advisor the reviews vacillated from good-bad I was particularly interested in making sure we were staying in a safe area. We are going with a group of people all with different itineraries which is why we wanted the Metro in walking distance.

Nikki

Being near a metro station gives you many more choices than just the major train stations. Is there any reason in particular you chose to be at this hotel near the Gare de l'Est? It is not as centrally located as many other neighborhoods if centrality is your major criterion.

StCirq

The métro is always within walking distance. But the métro isn't a train. So why did you want to be near the Gare de l'Est?

CNYU

That was the Hotel offered on the trip. The travel agent used "train" and "Metro" in the flyer which is why I''m asking for help from someone who stayed at this Hotel knowing there is a difference between the two.

Christina

Ibis is a decent budget French chain hotel, it will be modern style, but nothing exciting.. In fact, every train station has a metro station, so you will be near one if you stay there. The metro is a train (light rail), actually, I call it a train sometimes where I live, also, but it isn't clear what the travel agent meant in the flyer.

There are better train stations to be around, if that was the goal, actually -- I'd pick Gare Montparnasse or St Lazare or Gare de Lyon if you had to be near one, but I get the feeling you really want something central near a metro station. If you have a choice of hotels to pick from, maybe you can name them.

Nobody much probably stays at the Ibis Gare de l'Est except people staying one day in Paris who are leaving by train from that station early or something like that, which is why you won't find a lot of reviews just from regular tourists about it. If you can change hotels and maybe get something a bit better, I would. The location isn't far out or anything, but that isn't really the kind of neighborhood where you will want to hang out at night going to dinner. It would be fine if you were near Gare Montparnasse in that regard.

CNYU

Thank you, I will email the travel agent with the information! And book another Hotel.

ssander

As StCirq explained, "train" and "Metro" are two different things (though "train" is often used to indicate specific instances of both Metro--more like NYC and DC subways--and RER--similar to metro but runs to Paris Suburbs)...as in, "When is the next train (really the RER) to the airport?"

The "Gares" are real train stations for real trains -- local, national and international. As stated, one would likely only be your hotel area choice if you were either arriving to Paris by train very late or departing very early by train.

IMHO, move to a hotel closer to the river. There are, obviously, many nice neighborhoods elsewhere, but, as a tourist (first time??) you want to be close to the major sights, either by walking or an easy Metro or bus ride.

SS

nytraveler

The Metro is the equivalent of the subway and has stations all over the city. The "train" is long distance service outside the city. There are a number of different train station each with trains going to different parts of France - but not within Paris.

You need to be near a Metro (M on the map) NOT a train station. And if I were you I would want to be more central - as in much nearer the river - where more sights are. Many tourists stay in the 5th or 6th their first visit.

StCirq

Your travel agent sounds seriously uninformed.

CNYU

I'm satisfied with the transportation. I was looking for more information about the Hotel & the surrounding area.