When neurotic people plan vacations
May 5th, 2016, 10:17 PM
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When neurotic people plan vacations
So this is kind of a reboot of an earlier thread that got no action. I hope it isn't bad form to try again.
Thanks to all who have offered suggestions. Thanks to you we have booked the Citadines Trafalgar Square in London. Unfortunately the Citadines Saint Germaine only has a one bedroom with sofa bed as do most of the Paris properties. As I would be sleeping on said sofa bed with my daughter I think I prefer an actual bed. Not sure my back could take it otherwise. After adjusting our budget and including two room options, these are some places I am considering. If anyone has stayed or at least is familiar with the hotel or area, I would very much appreciate some feedback.
Hotel Providence- Too far out of the way?
Residenza Nell- Maybe. There was some discussion of people's reservations being cancelled by the property without notice. Although they did help to relocate them
Le Tourville Eiffel- reviews and price too good to be true? They do have a quad.
La Bella Juliette-
Hotel de Varenne-
La Maison Favart- Great reviews, but you ever notice almost all hotels have mostly good reviews? The rooms have king beds. That's nice. It could be all that fits in the room though.
Any other thoughts or experience with these?
Thanks to all who have offered suggestions. Thanks to you we have booked the Citadines Trafalgar Square in London. Unfortunately the Citadines Saint Germaine only has a one bedroom with sofa bed as do most of the Paris properties. As I would be sleeping on said sofa bed with my daughter I think I prefer an actual bed. Not sure my back could take it otherwise. After adjusting our budget and including two room options, these are some places I am considering. If anyone has stayed or at least is familiar with the hotel or area, I would very much appreciate some feedback.
Hotel Providence- Too far out of the way?
Residenza Nell- Maybe. There was some discussion of people's reservations being cancelled by the property without notice. Although they did help to relocate them
Le Tourville Eiffel- reviews and price too good to be true? They do have a quad.
La Bella Juliette-
Hotel de Varenne-
La Maison Favart- Great reviews, but you ever notice almost all hotels have mostly good reviews? The rooms have king beds. That's nice. It could be all that fits in the room though.
Any other thoughts or experience with these?
May 5th, 2016, 10:44 PM
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Is that Hotel La Belle Juliette? If so, it's a lovely place that is located on Rue du Cherche Midi and is less than a 10-minute walk from 3 different metro stations. The hotel is one of my favorites and is part of a hotel group that I like in Paris. While some people prefer to be more central, I like this area a great deal. Near lots of shops and restaurants but in a less overrun area of the 6th arrondissement. Hotel de Varenne is also nice, but it is in a more residential area in the 7th. They have a lovely little courtyard and the place it is very quiet. I first saw this hotel while looking for an apartment to buy on Rue de Bourgogne and made a note of it because I like the little courtyard and because the desk clerk was s charming and helpful. Some people find the 7th too quiet for their tastes but from this hotel you are a quick walk to the Rodin Museum and Invalides and only about 30 minutes walk to the Louvre. This is a pretty high-end area -- Francois Pinault's house in Paris is a couple of the doors over and the expensive, Michelin-starred Arpege is literally around the corner. I'd be hard pressed to pick between the two hotels -- it would really depend on the mood that I wanted for the trip to Paris. I have not stayed at Maison Favart but I don't like the neighborhood as much.
May 6th, 2016, 01:48 AM
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The Tourville Eiffel is in a good location for transportation, seeing the Eiffel Tower, les Invalides, Rodin Museum and rue Cler and the surrounding neighborhood is lively during the day and quiet at night. Not a bad choice, and it was recently re-done.
Hotel de Varenne is a little less conveniently-located than the Tourville - you'd probably prefer the other hotel.
La Belle Juliette is a "design" hotel, in an expensive neighborhood, and too far away from what you want to see.
Hotel Providence is not the best choice of neighborhood for a first-time visitor - as above, too far away, not the best Metro connections.
Maison Favart is in the theatre district, very "busy" at night, wouldn't be my first choice.
Residence Nell is about the same.
Here are some hotels with quad rooms in the Latin Quarter, which might be a better choice - excellent transportation, "walkability", interesting neighborhood, open-air market, shops, cafes, etc.
http://www.hotel-cluny.fr/
http://hotelatmospheres.com/
http://hoteldes2continents.com/index_en.php (2 double beds only)
Hotel de Varenne is a little less conveniently-located than the Tourville - you'd probably prefer the other hotel.
La Belle Juliette is a "design" hotel, in an expensive neighborhood, and too far away from what you want to see.
Hotel Providence is not the best choice of neighborhood for a first-time visitor - as above, too far away, not the best Metro connections.
Maison Favart is in the theatre district, very "busy" at night, wouldn't be my first choice.
Residence Nell is about the same.
Here are some hotels with quad rooms in the Latin Quarter, which might be a better choice - excellent transportation, "walkability", interesting neighborhood, open-air market, shops, cafes, etc.
http://www.hotel-cluny.fr/
http://hotelatmospheres.com/
http://hoteldes2continents.com/index_en.php (2 double beds only)
May 6th, 2016, 11:05 AM
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Limmy- It's nice that someone gets me. I feel vaguely bipolar when looking at all of the available options. It's a bit like a blindfolded person throwing a dart at the map and then proclaiming yes, that's the one, only to take a closer look and start worrying that it's too far from everything or doesn't have local cafes and grocers, there is not easy access to transport or that the one review you read that said it's dingy and dirty is correct. That is the beauty of having all of you wonderful Fodorites. It's a world of experience at your fingertips.
I looked at your suggestions and really like Atmospheres and Deux Continents. The latter had a large percentage of unfavorable reviews however. Such a shame. Thank you so much for the recommendations. Atmospheres may end up being my choice based on your description of conveniences. I could hug you right now.
Looking at the map, none look terribly out of the way with the exception of one which I am no longer considering, but by quiet at night, do you mean everything would be closed for the day by the time we have finished a day of wandering and sightseeing? We had the worst timing in Italy . In Venice ,particularly, by the time we were ready to share a meal, restaurants were closed or closing and we had evening events planned during the typical dinner time.
A double thumbs down for Maison Favart. Interesting.
It got such terrific reviews, but is the area dicey, filled with drunks caterwauling all night or it's just not your cup of tea?
I looked at your suggestions and really like Atmospheres and Deux Continents. The latter had a large percentage of unfavorable reviews however. Such a shame. Thank you so much for the recommendations. Atmospheres may end up being my choice based on your description of conveniences. I could hug you right now.
Looking at the map, none look terribly out of the way with the exception of one which I am no longer considering, but by quiet at night, do you mean everything would be closed for the day by the time we have finished a day of wandering and sightseeing? We had the worst timing in Italy . In Venice ,particularly, by the time we were ready to share a meal, restaurants were closed or closing and we had evening events planned during the typical dinner time.
A double thumbs down for Maison Favart. Interesting.
It got such terrific reviews, but is the area dicey, filled with drunks caterwauling all night or it's just not your cup of tea?
May 7th, 2016, 04:53 AM
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Maison Favart is just not in a neighborhood that most first-time visitors "expect". It's not as clean as the other main tourist neighborhoods, there's no green space - just loads of shopping, not-very-good cafes or restaurants, loads of traffic, and it's practically pickpocket paradise.
Most stores in Paris, including food stores, open around 08h30 and stay open until 19h30 or 21h00, depending on the store. Some stores will be open on Sunday, but not all of them. Many stores and restaurants (not usually cafes) are closed Monday.
Cafes and bakeries usually open around 07h30, restaurants serve during designated lunch and dinner hours only: 12 - 14h30 and 19h30 - 22h30. Cafes vary - look for "service non-stop" or "service continu", otherwise, you'll have to settle for something to drink. Brasseries serve food all day long without interruption.
Open air markets have different hours and operate on different days of the week. It's important to remember that the "official hours of operation" are not exactly correct. The vendors begin setting up when the market opens, but won't be willing to sell you anything for at least 90 mins. Knock about an hour off the closing time, because what the vendors try to sell you is not worth your money and they're scrambling to pack up their trucks.
A street market - such as rue Montorgueil or rue Cler, includes food merchants who set up stands on the street and also small independent shops. Most will close around 14h and reopen at 16h30, staying open until 19h30.
As far as the attractions go - you need to check the official website for opening hours and when the ticket office closes. Be aware that the guards will start shooing people out of a museum about 30 - 45 mins in advance of closing time - even if you've arrived just in time to buy the last ticket, you won't get to see much.
It is very difficult trying to find lodging for 4 people, and especially if you're not familiar with the city. Neighborhoods around popular attractions are the most expensive, but if you stay too far away, you might waste time getting lost or might not like the neighborhood. That's why the Latin Quarter is often recommended for a first stay - easy to get around, lots of attractions nearby, lots to do, and it's the neighborhood most people think of when they think about Paris.
The most useful Metro lignes are 1 and 8 - the East/West axis of Paris, and the North/South axis lignes 4 and 14. You are never very far away from a Metro station - the next station will usually be one or two blocks away. Connections underground only take about 3 minutes, trains run every 3 - 7 minutes on the average. It is a very good idea to figure out how to use the system before you arrive.
Most stores in Paris, including food stores, open around 08h30 and stay open until 19h30 or 21h00, depending on the store. Some stores will be open on Sunday, but not all of them. Many stores and restaurants (not usually cafes) are closed Monday.
Cafes and bakeries usually open around 07h30, restaurants serve during designated lunch and dinner hours only: 12 - 14h30 and 19h30 - 22h30. Cafes vary - look for "service non-stop" or "service continu", otherwise, you'll have to settle for something to drink. Brasseries serve food all day long without interruption.
Open air markets have different hours and operate on different days of the week. It's important to remember that the "official hours of operation" are not exactly correct. The vendors begin setting up when the market opens, but won't be willing to sell you anything for at least 90 mins. Knock about an hour off the closing time, because what the vendors try to sell you is not worth your money and they're scrambling to pack up their trucks.
A street market - such as rue Montorgueil or rue Cler, includes food merchants who set up stands on the street and also small independent shops. Most will close around 14h and reopen at 16h30, staying open until 19h30.
As far as the attractions go - you need to check the official website for opening hours and when the ticket office closes. Be aware that the guards will start shooing people out of a museum about 30 - 45 mins in advance of closing time - even if you've arrived just in time to buy the last ticket, you won't get to see much.
It is very difficult trying to find lodging for 4 people, and especially if you're not familiar with the city. Neighborhoods around popular attractions are the most expensive, but if you stay too far away, you might waste time getting lost or might not like the neighborhood. That's why the Latin Quarter is often recommended for a first stay - easy to get around, lots of attractions nearby, lots to do, and it's the neighborhood most people think of when they think about Paris.
The most useful Metro lignes are 1 and 8 - the East/West axis of Paris, and the North/South axis lignes 4 and 14. You are never very far away from a Metro station - the next station will usually be one or two blocks away. Connections underground only take about 3 minutes, trains run every 3 - 7 minutes on the average. It is a very good idea to figure out how to use the system before you arrive.
May 7th, 2016, 07:59 AM
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We have stayed at Hotel de Varenne a couple of times and liked it a lot. There is a grocery store on the other side of the street and down a short distance. This store is quite small but very well stocked and has chilled beer and wine as well. We would often stop there after touring all day, pick up a couple of beers and a little snack and sit in the little courtyard at the hotel to relax a bit
The hotel had an empty mini fridge in the room which was handy.
There is also a very good bakery almost right next door to the hotel. Everything in there is delicious.
We found the neighbourhood to be very pleasant, the Rodin museum is around the corner, the Assembly Nationale is close, we like to walk so we really walked everywhere from there but there is a Metro stop reasonably close.
We also found plenty of restaurants for dinner and the hotel was brilliant at making recommendations and bookings for us.
The hotel had an empty mini fridge in the room which was handy.
There is also a very good bakery almost right next door to the hotel. Everything in there is delicious.
We found the neighbourhood to be very pleasant, the Rodin museum is around the corner, the Assembly Nationale is close, we like to walk so we really walked everywhere from there but there is a Metro stop reasonably close.
We also found plenty of restaurants for dinner and the hotel was brilliant at making recommendations and bookings for us.
May 7th, 2016, 08:28 AM
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FYI on the Citadines St Germaine - we stayed there about two weeks ago. Our room was a one bedroom and the sofa bed in the living room was really a trundle day bed. So there were two separate twin size beds (perfect for my two daughters who did not want to sleep in the same bed) and they were regular mattresses (not folding thin futon/sofa bed). The same type as was in the queen bed my husband and I had in the bedroom. I remember this as I was particularly impressed. Usually the girls get stuck on these dreadful sofa beds (although they are too young to complain...at least about that).
The apartment overall was nice but small. We had just come from a 200m 2 bedroom so it felt small but it may be bigger than the hotel rooms you are looking at and has a kitchenette. The location was very fun. You are right on the Seine which we could kind of sort see from our window
. I have never stayed right on the river like that so it was a good experience. They also give you breakfast which is not a big deal to grab otherwise but was handy to have on the morning we were leaving of the airport.
good luck with whatever you decide.
The apartment overall was nice but small. We had just come from a 200m 2 bedroom so it felt small but it may be bigger than the hotel rooms you are looking at and has a kitchenette. The location was very fun. You are right on the Seine which we could kind of sort see from our window
. I have never stayed right on the river like that so it was a good experience. They also give you breakfast which is not a big deal to grab otherwise but was handy to have on the morning we were leaving of the airport.good luck with whatever you decide.
May 7th, 2016, 09:35 PM
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Ugh. Lost my response to all of this wonderful information. Let me try again.
Fuzz bucket- You truly are so kind to answer all of my questions and to provide such practical information. It certainly helps to have an idea of how the practical things work . I always do my research on hours for museums and attractions, but it's nice to have the additional workings of markets, restaurants , metro etc.
Sally30- Enlightening to learn the beds are actually more like two separate trundles. In the U.S. , they are always really uncomfortable pull out beds with a thin, insomnia inducing mattress.
According to the map app on my iPad, most of the hotels we are considering are about a 30 minute walk to many places of interest to us, so it's really down to which hotel/area appeals to us the most. I love the way fuzzbucket describes the Latin quarter. I think Atmospheres is there if I recall correctly and it was reasonably priced, but with your new info about Citadines, perhaps it's worth another look.
Raincitygirl- That's two people now who have liked Hotel de Varenne. Is it a good choice for first time visitors do you think?
Fuzz bucket- You truly are so kind to answer all of my questions and to provide such practical information. It certainly helps to have an idea of how the practical things work . I always do my research on hours for museums and attractions, but it's nice to have the additional workings of markets, restaurants , metro etc.
Sally30- Enlightening to learn the beds are actually more like two separate trundles. In the U.S. , they are always really uncomfortable pull out beds with a thin, insomnia inducing mattress.
According to the map app on my iPad, most of the hotels we are considering are about a 30 minute walk to many places of interest to us, so it's really down to which hotel/area appeals to us the most. I love the way fuzzbucket describes the Latin quarter. I think Atmospheres is there if I recall correctly and it was reasonably priced, but with your new info about Citadines, perhaps it's worth another look.
Raincitygirl- That's two people now who have liked Hotel de Varenne. Is it a good choice for first time visitors do you think?
May 7th, 2016, 09:46 PM
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Sorry about the thread confusion. My original post ended up in what I thought was thread purgatory and so I reposted with a new title. Thank you to everyone who has advised on either one. I have been checking both just in case. Now I have a ton of advice and will put it to good use. Hopefully you won't here from me again on the France front for awhile. : )
May 7th, 2016, 10:01 PM
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<is it a good choice for first time visitors> we thought so, we stayed there for nine days on our first visit to Paris.
We walked everywhere except we took the metro to Montmartre when we went to Sacre Couer, and the train to Versailles. We used the batobus one day but this day involved lots of walking too.
When you say it is thirty minutes walking to different sites that sounds far but I find in interesting cities like Paris there is so much to enjoy while you are walking that you are at your destination before you know it.
We walked everywhere except we took the metro to Montmartre when we went to Sacre Couer, and the train to Versailles. We used the batobus one day but this day involved lots of walking too.
When you say it is thirty minutes walking to different sites that sounds far but I find in interesting cities like Paris there is so much to enjoy while you are walking that you are at your destination before you know it.
May 7th, 2016, 10:17 PM
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I think you'd be happier if you chose the Latin Quarter - and either Citadines or Hotel Atmospheres - over the area around the Eiffel Tower. There's just a whole lot more for you to do and see without getting on the Metro or walking very far. The area around the Eiffel Tower is nice, but includes a lot of "dry patches" that can stretch for several blocks - not very convenient if you suddenly need to find a cafe and/or a toilette.
The average tourist walks an average of 8 miles per day in Paris. If you spend a lot of that time getting to and from your hotel, that's time you could be spending doing something else. In addition, if you want to go back to the hotel to rest in the afternoon, you might find that you won't feel like going back out again, if it's too far away.
The sofa beds in Paris are completely different from the ones in the US, and the ones in hotels are much more comfortable than the US versions. Many people live in tight quarters, so have to sleep on similar models everyday.
The average tourist walks an average of 8 miles per day in Paris. If you spend a lot of that time getting to and from your hotel, that's time you could be spending doing something else. In addition, if you want to go back to the hotel to rest in the afternoon, you might find that you won't feel like going back out again, if it's too far away.
The sofa beds in Paris are completely different from the ones in the US, and the ones in hotels are much more comfortable than the US versions. Many people live in tight quarters, so have to sleep on similar models everyday.
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