Cosmo

Sorry to all Paris expert Fodorites... please dont cringe as I know you get asked hotel questions over and over.. Ive received the ok for vacancies for our dates at the SunnyHotel, The Monge and the Grand Hotel Leveque.I seached all 3 and they all sound good, so cant eliminate without some help.
Its our first time in Paris so Im actually more than happy to go with the fodor vote.
(please dont add any alternatives though as I have to "bite the bullet" on one of these 3 and move on asap incase the rooms go.(Mid Oct booking so not far off)
The priorities is atmospheric neighbourhood, convenience of hotel to the best line i.e. most convenient line for main sights (we're not huge museum buffs so wont be hitting more than a couple so).
We dont have great expectation on the hotel standard due to the cost so think the 3 look fine for us - its the area and ambience and convenience I need your expertise to compare for me please.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.
I know hotel questions are boring, but I really believe position and area gives that extra magic to a memory...

Nikki

I don't really know the locations of the other two hotels, but I really like the area of the Monge. There are markets at Place Monge and at Place Maubert two or three days a week, and you are close to the Place de la Contrescarpe, rue Mouffetard, the Pantheon, bus and metro lines and the fabulous Kayser bakery on rue Monge.

There are many ethnic restaurants in the area and many young people.

Cosmo

Thanks for the quick reply Nikki, Im having real problems getting my head around the areas. Ive read rue Mouffetard area is good to walk around, and didnt realise Monge was close - how close? thanks

Scarlett

Hi Cosmo,
for whatever this is worth, my son and a friend before him, have both decided against staying at the Monge, after seeing the rooms there. I have heard some not so great things about it online also.
So that would make me suggest the Leveque ( only because I have never heard of the SunnyHotel
Good luck!

elaine

Even though most of the reviews at tripadvisor.com are positive on the Sunny, a couple of them criticized the cleanliness, and several mentioned the tired decor. Based on that, I would choose the Monge because I like the location better than the Leveque, though some people really like staying on rue Cler.

You said don't add an alternative, but I will anyway--the Hotel St Jacques, in the 5th.

Cosmo

Thanks for the input. Just checked St Jacques out Elaine but getting too pricey and 108E.(Australian dollar is a killer in Europe)
So if I cut out the Sunny that leaves the Monge and the Leveque.
Nicki says that there is street markets etc near Monge and Leveque is on a street market so the eliminating factor could be convenience....
Is one of these 2 hotels in a more convenient position than the other in regards to it's metro line?
Any any other eliminating comment still welcome
thanks, please keep it coming.. Paris hotel is the big decision..the sights take care of themselves hahaha

Scarlett

we stayed in an apt on rue Grenelle, on the corner of rue Cler. It is a pedestrian street so it is not especially noisy and is right in the midst of the 7th .
I liked the area, although the 6th remains my favorite.
hi elaine!

Cosmo

Scarlett! ... Elaine... no alternatives... sheesh.. I cant handle 2 let alone alternatives.. everyone please focus..ha ha
(thanks Scarlett)

Scarlett

http://www.hotel-leveque.com/

Cosmo
Look at the picture on the website. See the awning on the left side of the picture? that is the corner of rue Cler & rue Grenelle. The hotel is not in the middle of the street, but only a door or two from the corner. I think if the hotel Leveque is nice inside, it is a great location.

elaine

Cosmo, I dither about hotels myself all the time, even when I've been to the cities in question more than once.
The truth is, there is much more than one great little hotel in Paris, and more than one great neighborhood, each will have its pluses and minuses, but the minuses aren't necessarily significant.

If for some reason you truly hate the one you picked (and that happened to me last January), the worst that would happen is that you'll find another hotel to move to. I was able to find another one just down the block from the one I hated, and moving there took about 30 minutes in all. AND, I'd never heard of that second hotel before, I just stumbled on it.
Again, there is more than one good hotel in Paris!

francophile03

Rue Monge and rue Mouffetard are parallel to the other if I recall correctly. But they're like a few minutes away, not far apart at all. This area is atmospheric to me. You can wander the streets here in this ancient part of Paris.

Rue Monge is smaller than the rue Mouffetard. Rue Mouffetard is really nice with lots of fruit, veg., and seafood vendors. Also there is an Androuet fromagerie, a Jeff de Bruges chocolatierie, a patisserie, boulangerie, and many restaurants. The St. Medard church is on rue Mouffetard and is located across from Androuet. It makes a nice diversion as it's a historical church. I have heard many nice things about Hotel Monge and would choose it over the other two on your list. Arenes de Lutece is also nearby.

Cosmo

Thanks Elaine and Francophile appreciated the replies. But I really dont want to move hotels Elaine - fingers crossed (my husband would kill me) ha ha
Loved your description of the area of Rue Monge Francophile This is what I needed to help me make the final decision.
Monge sounds the better hotel in interesting area but I must admit that the Leveque has tempted me a little because you can walk to the Eiffel tower easily which I would love to do on the night of arrival. This isnt relevant though if the overall area is not as atmospheric as the Monge area.
thanks again - Im definitely leaning towards the Monge. Someone posted you have to change metro for Eiffel tower - is all other main sites easy access from the Monge? (trying to figure which hotel is on most convenient line for the sights)
thanks all

Scarlett

You can see the Eiffel Tower from your hotel or the corner if your room does not face that direction. It is about a 5 blocks walk to be there. You are about the same amount of blocks from the Invalides and Napoleans tomb and Rodins Museum. The Grand Hotel Leveque is in a great location.
It is just as elaine says, it depends on how you like it when you get there, and you can always change if you hate the place.
Good luck Cosmo

Cosmo

Thanks Scarlett - I like them both equally - maybe thats the solution 3 nights in each!!
(by the way - what timezone are you posting from - Its 2pm in Australia so usually nothing happening for replies as midnight in Fodite posting times - are you in the States?)

francophile03

To be fair, I have never stayed in the 7th district near rue Cler so I can't compare that area with the rues Monge and Mouffetard area. I've seen the Eiffel Tower (haven't gone up though) upclose though and I've visited Les Invalides and the Musee Rodin in the 7th however; I'm not sure what else there is to see there. I personally prefer being in the Latin Quarter as I find there are more things to see and do and lots of restaurants and cafes abound. Also it's a short walk from the Latin Qtr. to other areas such as the Marais and St. Germain.

Scarlett

Hi Cosmo
It is 9:20 pm Saturday night on the West Coast USA.
We are recovering from a very filling dinner with a bit of Portland wine

Good idea - stay in all of them lol.

Aside from the obvious- Eiffel Tower, etc..there are streets that are charming, buildings that are wonderful and neighborhoods that are fun to walk through..in the 7th.
rue Dominique is great, for shopping and eating.
That is right at the intersection of rue Cler and rue Grenelle.
You can walk across the Seine easily by the EF and go over to the Trocodero and the 16th, seeing the Musee Marmatton, taking a Batobus along the Seine, getting off at Notre Dame/Latin Quarter/or the Louvre.
We liked the area because it was a step away from the heavily touristed areas of the 6th ( which is still my favorite regardless) and the 5th, which is also full of students and crowds.
But don't get yourself too stressed over this, it is still Paris and it is wonderful.
If you wish to email me for lists:
[email protected]

francophile03

It is true that nowhere is ever too far to get to in Paris. There is a great transportation system available by bus, boat, and metro.

Scarlett

francophile, doesn't this make you loooong to go to Paris asap??
It sure does make me want to jump on a plane!

wtggirl

I would choose the Residence Monge, although I am not too familiar with the Sunny (I know you counted it out anyway). The Leveque is so well liked mainly due to Rick Steves, but I personally feel the area is not as central. There aren't many Metro/RER lines there and it is very quiet at night (I mean no night life). I had the Monge as one of my final choices for my upcoming trip, but finally decided on the St. Jacques. One hint on that hotel is if you stay on the top floor you can get a double for only 89E directly with the hotel. The lifts only go to the fifth floor so you have to walk up one flight though. But, given that the hotel ranks 40th on tripadvisor and the excellent ratings here I went with it. But, I am trying to confuse you aren't I? I vote for the Monge with your choices due to the great location in the 5th, very good atmosphere and safe location with a lot to do in the area day or night.

Cosmo

Hi wtgirl, Id just finished sending my ccard details to Monge. Ill wait for their confirmation (as the room may have gone due to my "playing" on fodors today and dithering with my decision) If the rooms gone I might send StJacques an email and check those top rooms as Elaine recommended it also and the website looks good. Itll be up to fate.
thanks everyone!