Where to stay in Paris?
Aug 10th, 2011, 06:59 AM
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Where to stay in Paris?
Hi,
I am looking for recommendations on where to stay in Paris. I've been to Paris before long time ago but it will be a first for my husband. I would prefer to stay in a reasonably priced place where I can "feel like I am in Paris" as opposed to a big chain. We are open to all types of places - hotels, bed and breakfast, private apartments.
Sep 8 1 night (airport? flying out the next day)
Sept 26 2 nights
I am looking for recommendations on where to stay in Paris. I've been to Paris before long time ago but it will be a first for my husband. I would prefer to stay in a reasonably priced place where I can "feel like I am in Paris" as opposed to a big chain. We are open to all types of places - hotels, bed and breakfast, private apartments.
Sep 8 1 night (airport? flying out the next day)
Sept 26 2 nights
Aug 10th, 2011, 07:19 AM
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We've just come back from our second stay at Hotel Valadon Colors http://www.hotelvaladon.com/. It is now owned by Hotel Cadron, which looked just as nice when we were in there picking up our key card. Extremely pleasant and helpful staff. They are both within a few minutes walk of Ecole Militaire and 7-10 minutes walk from the Eiffel Tower and the Seine. Nice lot of cafes, restaurants, boulangeries, and other shops around there.
Aug 10th, 2011, 07:31 AM
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What are your times on the 8th. It may make sense to stay near airport, and take shuttle back/forth to CDG.
B&Bs., not common. Apartments, probably not for 2 nights
For the 26th, I might suggest staying in the 4th/5th/6th districts, aka Marais/Latin Quarter/St Germain. There is an RER train that goes directly from CDG to central Paris. There are stops at St Michel and Luxembourg, which would work well if you can find a hotel in that vicinity. Plus, these areas have all the you will watn in terms of restaurants, shops, and some sites you can walk to.
St Michel stop is in 6th (and 4th), and is right at Seine, by Notre Dame. One exit is at Seine (6th), other exit is on Ile de la Cite (4th), island with Notre Dame. Luxembourg stop is further from Seine, near Luxembourg gardens.
I've stayed on all three areas. What sort of budget do you have, any special needs?
B&Bs., not common. Apartments, probably not for 2 nights
For the 26th, I might suggest staying in the 4th/5th/6th districts, aka Marais/Latin Quarter/St Germain. There is an RER train that goes directly from CDG to central Paris. There are stops at St Michel and Luxembourg, which would work well if you can find a hotel in that vicinity. Plus, these areas have all the you will watn in terms of restaurants, shops, and some sites you can walk to.
St Michel stop is in 6th (and 4th), and is right at Seine, by Notre Dame. One exit is at Seine (6th), other exit is on Ile de la Cite (4th), island with Notre Dame. Luxembourg stop is further from Seine, near Luxembourg gardens.
I've stayed on all three areas. What sort of budget do you have, any special needs?
Aug 10th, 2011, 07:33 AM
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Hi...
This assumes your question refers to area sa well as hotel recommendations.
(a) What types of things will you be visiting? Art? History? Night life? Etc.
(b) Do you like to walk alot? Want to be walking distance to the river?
(c) Are you comfortable using the metro and Buses?
SS
This assumes your question refers to area sa well as hotel recommendations.
(a) What types of things will you be visiting? Art? History? Night life? Etc.
(b) Do you like to walk alot? Want to be walking distance to the river?
(c) Are you comfortable using the metro and Buses?
SS
Aug 10th, 2011, 07:36 AM
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Thank you for your responses. Michel_Paris - we are not limited by a budget, and we can afford luxury accomodation but that is not my preference as I find that luxury accomodation frequently translated to sterile experiences. As mentioned in my post, we would prefer something that is reasonably priced where we can feel like we are on Paris.
Aug 10th, 2011, 07:38 AM
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ssander - here are the answers to your questions:
a) focus for me will be on food, so want to be around cafes, bistros and good restaurants
b) we both love to walk a lot, perhaps wonder aimlessly around Paris and see what we discover
would be nice to be walking distance to the river
c) we are very comfortable using the metro and buses are we both find that public transportation is the best way to experience the place
a) focus for me will be on food, so want to be around cafes, bistros and good restaurants
b) we both love to walk a lot, perhaps wonder aimlessly around Paris and see what we discover
would be nice to be walking distance to the riverc) we are very comfortable using the metro and buses are we both find that public transportation is the best way to experience the place
Aug 10th, 2011, 07:49 AM
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Perhaps then
www.paris-hotel-lutece.com
Located on Ile St Louis, small island next to Ile Notre Dame (island with Notre Dame.
Small island, one main steet, plenty of nice restaurants, good shopping (chocolate shop, cheese shop, wine shop,etc..) Historic old mansions, some converted to hotels. Nice Seine views, easy walk to Notre Dame, Left Bank, Right bank, RER station reachable.
Hotel is on main street, busy during day, quiet at night. Smaller rooms, but character.
Prime location.
www.paris-hotel-lutece.com
Located on Ile St Louis, small island next to Ile Notre Dame (island with Notre Dame.
Small island, one main steet, plenty of nice restaurants, good shopping (chocolate shop, cheese shop, wine shop,etc..) Historic old mansions, some converted to hotels. Nice Seine views, easy walk to Notre Dame, Left Bank, Right bank, RER station reachable.
Hotel is on main street, busy during day, quiet at night. Smaller rooms, but character.
Prime location.
Aug 10th, 2011, 01:34 PM
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I agree with Michel_Paris...
If you have the means, Ile St Louis is a good location. Here is the transport situation as I see it [others may add/correct my take on this]:
(a) St Paul (line 1 - a really useful line) and Pont Marie (line 7) Metro within 300 m. after crossing to the right bank. Metro on the left bank is a little farther away; perhaps 600 m. to line 10.
(b) Only two bus stop lines on the island, but it is very small and there are a bunch a block after crossing to the left bank and several on the right bank two blocks over the bridge.
(c) Close to the Marais, which we really like for walking in the evening.
SS
If you have the means, Ile St Louis is a good location. Here is the transport situation as I see it [others may add/correct my take on this]:
(a) St Paul (line 1 - a really useful line) and Pont Marie (line 7) Metro within 300 m. after crossing to the right bank. Metro on the left bank is a little farther away; perhaps 600 m. to line 10.
(b) Only two bus stop lines on the island, but it is very small and there are a bunch a block after crossing to the left bank and several on the right bank two blocks over the bridge.
(c) Close to the Marais, which we really like for walking in the evening.
SS
Aug 10th, 2011, 05:48 PM
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I hate disagree with the above, but I'm gonna! Ile St Louis is a little too quiet and no Metro stop.
There are several great small hotels in the 6th. Close to great dining (Le Comptoir, Marco Polo, Le Danton, les editeurs and several other newer places I haven't gotten to try). Hotel Louis II, Odeon Hotel, Relais St Germain and Hotel Odeon St Germain. (rue de Conde and rue St Sulpice area)
The Odeon Metro stop is right there.
Also, for wonderful pastry, Gerard Mulot is also close!
Close to so much...great shopping and easy to get to lots of sites.
There are several great small hotels in the 6th. Close to great dining (Le Comptoir, Marco Polo, Le Danton, les editeurs and several other newer places I haven't gotten to try). Hotel Louis II, Odeon Hotel, Relais St Germain and Hotel Odeon St Germain. (rue de Conde and rue St Sulpice area)
The Odeon Metro stop is right there.
Also, for wonderful pastry, Gerard Mulot is also close!
Close to so much...great shopping and easy to get to lots of sites.
Aug 11th, 2011, 07:03 AM
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Thank you all for your suggestions.
Michel_Paris - unfortunately www.paris-hotel-lutece.com is already booked. I will file it in my notes for the future.
denisea - some of the places that you had recommended are available but they seem to be quite $$$$. I will look around to see if I can get a deal.
All - I'm now investigating a possibility of renting an apartment via craigslist.org
Is anybody familiar with this area? It's near Eiffel Tower.
24 rue Viala
75015 Paris
metro Duplex (3mn walking distance)
Michel_Paris - unfortunately www.paris-hotel-lutece.com is already booked. I will file it in my notes for the future.
denisea - some of the places that you had recommended are available but they seem to be quite $$$$. I will look around to see if I can get a deal.
All - I'm now investigating a possibility of renting an apartment via craigslist.org
Is anybody familiar with this area? It's near Eiffel Tower.
24 rue Viala
75015 Paris
metro Duplex (3mn walking distance)
Aug 11th, 2011, 11:39 AM
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Be sure to read this: http://www.fodors.com/community/trav...t-170861-2.cfm
Aug 11th, 2011, 11:54 AM
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The Lutece also has a sister hotel on the Island, same website.
Two others:
www.hotelclaudebernardparis.com
www.hotel-de-notre-dame-paris.com
Two others:
www.hotelclaudebernardparis.com
www.hotel-de-notre-dame-paris.com
Aug 11th, 2011, 10:11 PM
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Aug 12th, 2011, 09:09 AM
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I don't understand why you are even considering renting an apt off Craigslist (a dubious thing to do in any case) if you don't even have a strict budget. You are only there two days, why on earth do you even want an apt, you will barely be in it.
IN any case, I don't know why you would have picked that apt to rent given your desires. I don't particularly like that area near Dupleix metro and it isn't near the river. The Eiffel Tower is a tourist attraction and it isn't particularly that nice right near it in some directions (like the Bir Hakeim metro). The 15th is one of the "newer" Paris arrondisements, relatively speaking, so there is a lot of soulless architecture and no feeling of what you probably want to see as historical Paris. It just doesn't make sense given you have no budget.
IN any case, I don't know why you would have picked that apt to rent given your desires. I don't particularly like that area near Dupleix metro and it isn't near the river. The Eiffel Tower is a tourist attraction and it isn't particularly that nice right near it in some directions (like the Bir Hakeim metro). The 15th is one of the "newer" Paris arrondisements, relatively speaking, so there is a lot of soulless architecture and no feeling of what you probably want to see as historical Paris. It just doesn't make sense given you have no budget.
Aug 12th, 2011, 09:15 AM
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<<Is anybody familiar with this area? It's near Eiffel Tower.
24 rue Viala
75015 Paris
metro Duplex (3mn walking distance)>>
Yes. Don't do it.
First off, don't ever rent an apartment in Paris from Craigslist - that's just a bad idea.
Second, the area near the Eiffel Tower, unless you're talking about the adjacent east side of the tower, isn't even pretty or typically Parisian. Near the Duplex métro isn't a good choice at all.
Third, you're there for 2 nights. You don't need an apartment.
Given you're not on a budget, get off Craigslist and pick a nice hotel in a central area - the suggestion of the Odéon area is a good one.
24 rue Viala
75015 Paris
metro Duplex (3mn walking distance)>>
Yes. Don't do it.
First off, don't ever rent an apartment in Paris from Craigslist - that's just a bad idea.
Second, the area near the Eiffel Tower, unless you're talking about the adjacent east side of the tower, isn't even pretty or typically Parisian. Near the Duplex métro isn't a good choice at all.
Third, you're there for 2 nights. You don't need an apartment.
Given you're not on a budget, get off Craigslist and pick a nice hotel in a central area - the suggestion of the Odéon area is a good one.
Aug 12th, 2011, 10:16 AM
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All - thank you for your suggestions. You have all been very helpful. I've added your suggestions to my notes.
Christina / StCirq
To answer your questions about why I would consider renting an apt off Craiglist, it is because I have done it many
times in New York and it has usually worked out great. I'm saying "usually" because once there was an aluminium foil in the window in lieu of blinds - strange choice if you ask me but you can't blame a bachelor for trying. And even in that case there was nothing wrong with the apartment. I have never pre-paid for such a private rental, it's all based on an honor system. I figured that if there is ever anything wrong with the apartment, I can always decline and book myself a hotel online. I am yet to exercise that option. So I usually booked the dates, meet the owner upon arrival, get the keys, then pay upon departure.
Also, one of my friends booked an apartment when he went to Kiev. Another one booked a hotel room. The hotel room was non-descript, very basic, and more expensive than the apartment. The apartment was large and tastefully decorated. Very lovely and much better than the basic hotel room.
Christina - have you had a bad experience when renting via craiglist? As for why I would have picked that apartment, obviously I am not yet that familiar with Paris' neighbourhoods so I asked folks on this forum to comment on the address and the location. You have been very helpful - I'm crossing that one off my list.
As for the budget question, I like to get good value for my dollars as well as a bit of adventure. During my travels I've stayed in all kinds of places, ranging from gorgeous luxurious hotels in Italy with salt water pools and champagne for breakfast, to simple pensions on the Greek island with running toilets where I've manged to negotiate myself a good price with a nice Greek widow (somehow we communicated even though she didn't speak English and I don't speak Greek). I like the adventure and it is always fun.
Christina / StCirq
To answer your questions about why I would consider renting an apt off Craiglist, it is because I have done it many
times in New York and it has usually worked out great. I'm saying "usually" because once there was an aluminium foil in the window in lieu of blinds - strange choice if you ask me but you can't blame a bachelor for trying
. And even in that case there was nothing wrong with the apartment. I have never pre-paid for such a private rental, it's all based on an honor system. I figured that if there is ever anything wrong with the apartment, I can always decline and book myself a hotel online. I am yet to exercise that option. So I usually booked the dates, meet the owner upon arrival, get the keys, then pay upon departure. Also, one of my friends booked an apartment when he went to Kiev. Another one booked a hotel room. The hotel room was non-descript, very basic, and more expensive than the apartment. The apartment was large and tastefully decorated. Very lovely and much better than the basic hotel room.
Christina - have you had a bad experience when renting via craiglist? As for why I would have picked that apartment, obviously I am not yet that familiar with Paris' neighbourhoods so I asked folks on this forum to comment on the address and the location. You have been very helpful - I'm crossing that one off my list.
As for the budget question, I like to get good value for my dollars as well as a bit of adventure. During my travels I've stayed in all kinds of places, ranging from gorgeous luxurious hotels in Italy with salt water pools and champagne for breakfast, to simple pensions on the Greek island with running toilets where I've manged to negotiate myself a good price with a nice Greek widow (somehow we communicated even though she didn't speak English and I don't speak Greek). I like the adventure and it is always fun.
Aug 12th, 2011, 11:20 AM
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I'm glad you've had good experiences renting an apt on Craigslist and that you don't intend to stay in that location; however, do take a quick look at the link I provided above about using Craigslist in Paris (and London).
Jul 5th, 2012, 09:59 AM
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PAris Appartement GIves you a different feel and experience. Rather a hotel you are deemed to feel like a tourist. I found an excelent appartement in the "sstylish" part of Paris known as the Marais (4eme arrondissement). It also is run by an interesting man. Who is the clown with the Cirque Du Soleil touring Brazil at the moment. Regardless of the distance I found I receive quick responses and imediate aid in every step of my stay, booking, deal, costs, beds, check in, check out, etc.
It was an amazing time and the area surrounding the appartement is quiet, loveley and very stylish. With many Patisseries and small stores as well as up market industries and brands. Aswell the furnishings and inside is very new and renovated. Clean and very easy to use, as well as extremely fast internet wifi.
You will have a incredible stay in Paris, here is the link to the website. ( http://www.vrbo.com/138701 , anddont forget to mention where you eard about this link from. )
Cheers
Hope you enjoy Paris!
JOsé
It was an amazing time and the area surrounding the appartement is quiet, loveley and very stylish. With many Patisseries and small stores as well as up market industries and brands. Aswell the furnishings and inside is very new and renovated. Clean and very easy to use, as well as extremely fast internet wifi.
You will have a incredible stay in Paris, here is the link to the website. ( http://www.vrbo.com/138701 , anddont forget to mention where you eard about this link from. )
Cheers
Hope you enjoy Paris!
JOsé
Jul 6th, 2012, 04:39 AM
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If you want to "feel like I am in Paris" you should look a little bit further out, and then you're also more likely to get a reasonably priced place. One often overlooked area is the 15th district, close to the Eiffel Tower, the Seine and lively Montparnasse. It's a nice residential area with a real Parisian feel, cute local cafes and restaurants, gourmet shops, little markets. In the area Hotel Alize Grenelle (http://alizeparis.com/) or the Beaugrenelle Saint Charles (http://beaugrenelleparis.com/) could be a nice option.
