Please advise re: Hotel des Deux-Iles and Hotel de Lutece in Paris
Sep 26th, 2010, 07:53 AM
#1
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Please advise re: Hotel des Deux-Iles and Hotel de Lutece in Paris
Having been to Paris just once before, I looked at the lobbies of the Hotel des Deux-Iles and its sister hotel next door, the Hotel de Lutece, and I collected their brochure. I thought they were both charming, on Ile Saint Louis.
Has anyone stayed at either one, and can recommend it? Is there much difference between them? I remember I liked one lobby better than the other, but I can't remember which one! They are literally side-by-side. One was renovated recently, too, but I don't know which one. I can research that point, unless someone her knows.
I read the rooms are small in one, and I imagine that's true of both, but are they any smaller than other European hotel rooms?
They seem to be a nice location for what I want for a week in early December.
I appreciate any help you can give me in choosing between these two hotels.
Merci beaucoup!
Has anyone stayed at either one, and can recommend it? Is there much difference between them? I remember I liked one lobby better than the other, but I can't remember which one! They are literally side-by-side. One was renovated recently, too, but I don't know which one. I can research that point, unless someone her knows.
I read the rooms are small in one, and I imagine that's true of both, but are they any smaller than other European hotel rooms?
They seem to be a nice location for what I want for a week in early December.
I appreciate any help you can give me in choosing between these two hotels.
Merci beaucoup!
Sep 26th, 2010, 09:02 AM
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I can't help you with the most recent information, but I can give you a general experience. And I have to tell you that as we were walking past both hotels on a recent summer evening in Paris, I had to say to my daughter--"Which one did we stay at???"
As a Xmas gift to my youngest one year, we gave her a mother/daughter Martin Luther King long weekend in Paris on the Ile de St. Louis. Of course, this was in disguise a gift to ME. I had been dying to stay at that location, and I was prepared for hotel sticker shock with an awful room.
Our room at the Hotel des Deux-Iles was small but very charming, and while I can't recall the price, it was hardly outrageous. The people at the front desk were always very nice.
Am I tempted to go back? Well, no. But then again, we try to switch Paris neighborhoods each time we go back. Did I enjoy staying at the location? Yes sirree.
I apologize for not having a more recent experience to share.
As a Xmas gift to my youngest one year, we gave her a mother/daughter Martin Luther King long weekend in Paris on the Ile de St. Louis. Of course, this was in disguise a gift to ME. I had been dying to stay at that location, and I was prepared for hotel sticker shock with an awful room.
Our room at the Hotel des Deux-Iles was small but very charming, and while I can't recall the price, it was hardly outrageous. The people at the front desk were always very nice.
Am I tempted to go back? Well, no. But then again, we try to switch Paris neighborhoods each time we go back. Did I enjoy staying at the location? Yes sirree.
I apologize for not having a more recent experience to share.
Sep 26th, 2010, 09:16 AM
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Hi. We stayed at the Hotel Lutece 2 yrs ago this month. We chose it because we love the location on the Ile.
When you cross over the bridge from Notre Dame the Lutece is the first hotel on the right and the Deux-Iles is a few doors farther up the street.
The rooms are small but not impossibly small and nicely done. The bathrooms are very nice and good sized.I believe it was renovated about 3-4yrs ago. We ate breakfast there every morning and it is expensive but it was convenient. There is a nice little bar/restaurant farther up the street on the other side at the corner where you could have breakfast if you choose.
We were back in Paris last September for a week and this time we rented an apartment on the Ile. Having had both experiences I would choose the apartment again but that's a personal preference.
Don't think you could go wrong no matter which of these two hotels you choose. The location can't be beat.
When you cross over the bridge from Notre Dame the Lutece is the first hotel on the right and the Deux-Iles is a few doors farther up the street.
The rooms are small but not impossibly small and nicely done. The bathrooms are very nice and good sized.I believe it was renovated about 3-4yrs ago. We ate breakfast there every morning and it is expensive but it was convenient. There is a nice little bar/restaurant farther up the street on the other side at the corner where you could have breakfast if you choose.
We were back in Paris last September for a week and this time we rented an apartment on the Ile. Having had both experiences I would choose the apartment again but that's a personal preference.
Don't think you could go wrong no matter which of these two hotels you choose. The location can't be beat.
Sep 26th, 2010, 09:35 AM
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I've stay twice at both hotels but not recently...probably been three yrs ago since last stay. The rooms in both hotels were small, clean and well appointed. Hotel de Lutece is the larger of the two hotels with a larger reception area. Staff is both hotels were friendly and very helpful. I recall the Lutece had a nice bar on the lower floor. Both serve a Continental breakfast. The rooms on the top floor of both hotels have great Paris rooftop/chimney views....the front rooms have some traffic noise. There are just 3-4 rooms per floor as I recall. Price is comparable to other Paris hotels in the area. The reason to stay at either hotel is location,location, location! We love Ile St Louis...it's crowded in the daytime but magical at night....like being in a village in the middle of a busy city....you see Paris from a diffrent perspective. Since Ile St Louis issmall it's great for walking...good shopping, and numerous restarants. I wouldn't hesitate to stay in either hotel. Recently we have chosen to rent apartments rather than hotels...I've yet to find an area that I enjoy as much as Ile St Louis. I will be in Paris for Christmas this year and have rented an apartment in the Marais...couldn't find an apartment large ebough to accommodate our family....with that said....we certainly look forward to spending time on Ile St Louis during our visit!
Hope this is helpful to you.
jhaskell
Hope this is helpful to you.
jhaskell
Sep 26th, 2010, 10:23 AM
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Peaceout: We, too , and some of our family, have stayed at both. Not much difference..but for all the reasons JHaskell writes above, we thoroughly enjoy staying on the Ile....my daughter and her husband have gone back to Lutece twice..and another daughter w/husband have also. We've stayed at one or the other for many visits in the last 10 years or so...two years ago we decided to try a few nights in the Marais (Hotel Duo)and enjoyed that too, but we've decided that the Ile St. L is best. On one of our visits to the Lutece over Christmas-New Years, we enjoyed the holiday feel in the area. Not even too cold for a Berthillon's (just down the street).
stu t.
stu t.
Sep 26th, 2010, 01:45 PM
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Thank you! We really liked the Ile Saint Louis, and found Le Caveau de L'ile to be a favorite restaurant. I asked for availability and found rooms at both hotels are priced the same: 195EU for a twin in early December.
Would you mind telling me what apartments you have found on the Ile? This visit will be for me and my best friend, celebrating our big birthdays. We might enjoy the space of an apartment.
Thank you again!
Would you mind telling me what apartments you have found on the Ile? This visit will be for me and my best friend, celebrating our big birthdays. We might enjoy the space of an apartment.
Thank you again!
Sep 26th, 2010, 02:38 PM
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Found this studio apartment from one of your links. It has a double bed in a loft, and a queen sofa sleeper on the main level, which would be perfect for us. Nice river views, washer/dryer, etc. Good price of 190 Euro/ night. Anyone know of it, or the rental agency?
Sep 26th, 2010, 02:39 PM
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Sep 26th, 2010, 03:48 PM
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Me thinks that to stay on the ballyhooed Ile Saint Louis is great but that you must for that privelege pay more for comparable hotels elsewhere, in venues that i and many others would even prefer - places more lively than the moribund Ile Saint-Louis. What i am saying is that yes the Ile Saint-Louis is a real unique place in Paris you will pay more for less to stay there IMO and also would be just as happy in other venues or even more happier.
I say this from many many strolls thru the Ile Saint-Louis, to me one of the most artificial and foreign money dominated places in Paris. Don't expect to find the local boulangerie-patisserie you would in practically any other district but rather fancy patisseries - anyway not at all a typical Parisian district and lacking the liveliness of them IMO. Great location though even though access to public transports is poorer than in almost any other Parisian neighborhood.
I say this from many many strolls thru the Ile Saint-Louis, to me one of the most artificial and foreign money dominated places in Paris. Don't expect to find the local boulangerie-patisserie you would in practically any other district but rather fancy patisseries - anyway not at all a typical Parisian district and lacking the liveliness of them IMO. Great location though even though access to public transports is poorer than in almost any other Parisian neighborhood.
Sep 26th, 2010, 05:41 PM
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Thanks for your POV. The hotel site says a few minutes' walk to the metro. Non? The only time I have been to l'ile was in early May, with practically no one around at an early dinner hour. We stumbled upon the restaurant, and saw the hotels as we walked. It did not seem artificial, but shops were closed. Good to know if it is a more expensive area for cafes. But I am not shocked at 190 Eu for that studio. Could you look at it, please, and give your thoughts in it?
I have only stayed in the 7th, at Hotel de la Bourdonnais, because it had a family room with a full-on view of the Eiffel Tower from two little terraces. But I want to stay in another arr this time.
We will be walking everywhere possible. Not interested in the Marais. Want to see the Latin Quarter this time, and maybe the Sorbonne. Saw some cute little side streets that were slightly south and east of Champs Elysee, I think, but they looked expensive. ( But I was disappointed in the Champs itself. Talk about commercial, eh?)
Where would you stay in Paris, with a lifelong friend who has never been there? Thank you again.
I have only stayed in the 7th, at Hotel de la Bourdonnais, because it had a family room with a full-on view of the Eiffel Tower from two little terraces. But I want to stay in another arr this time.
We will be walking everywhere possible. Not interested in the Marais. Want to see the Latin Quarter this time, and maybe the Sorbonne. Saw some cute little side streets that were slightly south and east of Champs Elysee, I think, but they looked expensive. ( But I was disappointed in the Champs itself. Talk about commercial, eh?)
Where would you stay in Paris, with a lifelong friend who has never been there? Thank you again.
Sep 27th, 2010, 07:15 AM
#16
PeaceOut: Stayed in the Lutece this past June for our 5th trip to Paris and liked it very much. As others have said, the rooms are small but well-appointed, the staff excellent, especially Henri, and the location is superb. You would be a short walk to an excellent flower market and the usual suspects (Notre-Dame, etc.), a longer walk to Ste-Chappelle, and there is a bus near by that will take you to just about anything you'd want to see.
Use Google Earth to see what is around you. Ile Saint-Louis is lively and fun, especially the evening promenade and performers on the Pont Saint-Louis.
Use Google Earth to see what is around you. Ile Saint-Louis is lively and fun, especially the evening promenade and performers on the Pont Saint-Louis.
Sep 27th, 2010, 07:24 AM
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While I agree somewhat with Pal, the hotels are a bit more expensive. Though someone here rented a studio for cheap cheap.
There is an RER stop on Ile de la Cite about...10 mins walk, that takes you directly to the airport. The Pont Marie metro stop (great Right Bank line) is across one bridge from the island. There are several good restaurants on the Island and many an easy walk across to either Bank. And to be able to walk 2 mins and be at the Seine...priceless.
Not a lot of cafes on island. I ate lunch at Brasserie de l'Ile at an outside table and it was nice. But the place is rather small so not a huge selection. Ice cream shop, cheese shop, wine shop, chcolate shop, olive oil place, etc.. Church that sometimes holds music concerts. Mostly old mansions on the island, lot of history, lot of famous people back then and now.
Two worries that people often bring up are noise at night and being too far from sights. Neither would apply to IsL.
There is an RER stop on Ile de la Cite about...10 mins walk, that takes you directly to the airport. The Pont Marie metro stop (great Right Bank line) is across one bridge from the island. There are several good restaurants on the Island and many an easy walk across to either Bank. And to be able to walk 2 mins and be at the Seine...priceless.
Not a lot of cafes on island. I ate lunch at Brasserie de l'Ile at an outside table and it was nice. But the place is rather small so not a huge selection. Ice cream shop, cheese shop, wine shop, chcolate shop, olive oil place, etc.. Church that sometimes holds music concerts. Mostly old mansions on the island, lot of history, lot of famous people back then and now.
Two worries that people often bring up are noise at night and being too far from sights. Neither would apply to IsL.
Sep 27th, 2010, 07:26 AM
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PeaceOut - that apartment looks lovely and am sure you will be very happy with it and the location.
We used Paris Address and booked ORLEA26 because of it's great views from the little balcony overlooking Notre Dame. The apartment is very comfortable but is more expensive than the one you are currently considering.
I don't believe the cafes are more expensive but you can cross the Pont St.Louis and find lots of others to choose from. To us the fact that we could walk almost everywhere and not have to use the Metro was a big plus.
We used Paris Address and booked ORLEA26 because of it's great views from the little balcony overlooking Notre Dame. The apartment is very comfortable but is more expensive than the one you are currently considering.
I don't believe the cafes are more expensive but you can cross the Pont St.Louis and find lots of others to choose from. To us the fact that we could walk almost everywhere and not have to use the Metro was a big plus.
Sep 27th, 2010, 07:34 AM
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Thanks for your thoughts. I had my heart set on the Ile Saint Louis. I think for a first time visitor, like my friend, it would be perfect.
I like the Seine floor-to-ceiling views from the large studio apartment (which actually has a loft bedroom, plus a queen sofa sleeper-- perfect for us two), the lovely entry right at the Seine, floorplan, etc. I sent an inquiry about availability.
Anyone know of GuestApartment.com?
I like the Seine floor-to-ceiling views from the large studio apartment (which actually has a loft bedroom, plus a queen sofa sleeper-- perfect for us two), the lovely entry right at the Seine, floorplan, etc. I sent an inquiry about availability.
Anyone know of GuestApartment.com?
Sep 27th, 2010, 09:24 AM
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Palenque...we usually agree, but we differ on this one.>
I should make it clear that the Ile S Louis is a great location and unique place - a quiet place and that is hard to find sometimes in Paris - it just ain't my cup of tea - i prefer the hustle and bustle of street markets, folks lined up for their daily baguettes from boulangeries, outdoor cafes on busy streets, etc. But i may have overstated this to imply that the Ile is not a good place to stay - for those seeking a cacoon of quietness in a boisterous city it is great and i appreciate that desire. Plus you can literally walk to nearly every top site from your hotel.
I should make it clear that the Ile S Louis is a great location and unique place - a quiet place and that is hard to find sometimes in Paris - it just ain't my cup of tea - i prefer the hustle and bustle of street markets, folks lined up for their daily baguettes from boulangeries, outdoor cafes on busy streets, etc. But i may have overstated this to imply that the Ile is not a good place to stay - for those seeking a cacoon of quietness in a boisterous city it is great and i appreciate that desire. Plus you can literally walk to nearly every top site from your hotel.
