Well, there's that place in Bercy that tod always mentions that's about 49 euros a night for a double. A bit of a ride into town, but nothing kids couldn't handle. Do a search on his screen name.

Thanks St Cirq -

Anyone else have some ideas!?

Some of the recommendations by Rick Steve's are around that price range. If it's a first time in Paris, they might want to stay nearer the city and some places give a discount if payment is made in cash. You might want to check out Paris Through the Back Door in his series for a comprehensive listing. Let's Go series also has some budget accommodation ideas.

How long are they staying?

Sometimes if they're staying a while, it might be worth it to rent an apartment, which could be less expensive.

Ibis hotel is having a special, but the properties I saw were out of town. If they're brave, they might consider Priceline or Hotwire, but that's potluck. Might be able to get some last minute deals, since it's happening so soon.

There's also the Hopital St-Dieu, which is actually a floor on a real hospital that rents out cheap rooms right in central Paris. Sorry, I'd look these up for you but I'm way busy with other things right now.

My niece stayed at the Aloha hostel in Montparnasse. It was E25 at the time - you'll have to check the current rate.

It's a bit late to find budget hotels near the center.

StCirq
I've stayed at Hotel Dieu and the rooms are only cheap if you're a patient or family of a patient in the hospital. Nice rooms, interesting experience, but not inexpensive.
I've recommended it to women travelling alone who want a super safe hotel near everything--and talk about a HUGE bath tub...very nice people there. Got lucky the night I was there, the Orthodox clergy joined the RC clergy for a service of vespers at Notre Dame.

Hotel Marignan - cheap , clean , central!!!, they have triples
www.hotel-marignan.com/html/p1_a.htm

Tell them to camp in Paris...rent a room that way..super cheap.

We did it here & LOVED it, will return this summer:

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2006/09/paris-bois-de-b.html

http://www.campingduboisdeboulogne.fr/indexuk.html

But here is another & explains the advantages, even for those who don't usually consider "camping". Safe and a great way to meet other people.

Paris on the cheap!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/destinations/france/article5858444.ece

It's slightly over budget, but there's Hotel Herse D'or in Bastille which has triples with private bathrooms for €119 a night.

http://www.parishotelherseor.com/

Slap bang in the centre, clean, friendly and near Rue de Lappe. Perfect for college age kids if they can stretch the budget slightly...

Two years ago my daughter (she was not quite 21 yet) stayed at the St. Christopher's hostel for 10 days and really liked it. It is very new, close to two metro lines, and is about 15 minutes north of city center. The price was great and they have a huge number of varying dorm rooms.

dave

I second Isabel's suggestion of Hotel Marignan. Location is top notch and good rates. Check soon to see if there is availability.

tC

Thank you all for replies - I am going to forward these to our friend this morning. I really appreciate it!

From personal experience I highly recommend any of the three MIJE hostels in the Marais. They are renovated 17th-century private mansions, centrally located, very clean, and secure. Many school groups use them, but they're open to people of all ages. Both Rick Steves and Lonely Planet call them "the best budget accommodations in Paris." www.mije.com.

Another hostel that gets consistently good reviews is le Village Hostel in Montmartre. www.villagehostel.fr.

$120 is only around 90 euros. There aren't hardly any places that have triples for that rate, so I agree the hostels or Marignan are probably your best bet. The Marignan might be tough to get at this late date, though.

Here's a good 1* in the Oberkampf/Canal St Martin area that is in their range, that would be a good location for them
http://www.marys-paris-hotel.com/

Here's a cheap one in the Latin Qtr
http://www.commerce-paris-hotel.com/

Here are a couple more in great locations:

http://www.hoteldusejour.com/pages/rooms_1.html This is in the third right at the NW edge of the Marais and Beaubourg. They have rooms starting at 78 euros (74 if you stay 3 nights) It is a simple little place but great location.

Another one we always recommend right near the Gare Montparnasse is the Hotel Odessa-they have triples at 115 euros or doubles starting at 75 Euros-again a great area very young and lively close to rue du Rennes Luxembourg gardens etc.

http://www.hotelodessaparis.com/odessa-hotel-anglais/hotel-odessa-rates.htm

I have forwarded all of these great ideas to our friend - he was very appreciative - I will let you all know what they ended up doing....Thanks again!!

hi
i Stayed at the regent hostel boulevard rochechouart in Paris
Gare du nord and sacre coeur it was very convenient
22 euros a night with private bathroom
and an amazing view on the sacre coeur

Hi I just stayed at the regent hostel montmartre next to sacre coeur
very nice very convenient and an amazing view on the sacre coeur
def recommand this place

And then there's my neighborhood, where the top price is about 55€. Tod has stayed there as well.

Jakis, you keep pulling up old threads and posting a link to this hotel ,, why?

i have stayed at hotel henri 4( on place dauphine)many, many times since my first trip to europe in 1980, as a student.

it is the most divine location, right on the ile del la cite, on a quiet little square. it is really cheap (though not as cheap as it once was) and very, very, very basic. i think that we have actually (with some sadness) reached the point in our adult lives when it's time to stay in something a bit more upscale next time we're in paris, but it's perfect for students.

if you are willing to go through all of their steps to get a room (call them, then send a check in euros) then it is just a fantastic spot on earth. here is a link with their prices, which shows a room for 3. (it even has a bathroom!)

http://www.henri4hotel.fr/prices.html

kawh: The thread is three years old . . .