Help: Taking college student group to Paris in June 2014
Jul 11th, 2013, 04:09 PM
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Help: Taking college student group to Paris in June 2014
Hello all,
I could use some assistance on choosing a hotel in Paris. I will be taking students on a transatlantic cruise into Barcelona then on to Paris. I have only stayed in Montparnasse and it has been a while. Need to stay in 3 star to keep cost down. Budget is tight. Any suggestions on reasonable safe area of Paris or hotels? Thanks!
I could use some assistance on choosing a hotel in Paris. I will be taking students on a transatlantic cruise into Barcelona then on to Paris. I have only stayed in Montparnasse and it has been a while. Need to stay in 3 star to keep cost down. Budget is tight. Any suggestions on reasonable safe area of Paris or hotels? Thanks!
Jul 11th, 2013, 04:17 PM
#2
>>Need to stay in 3 star to keep cost down.<<
That really isn't relevant. Some 2 stars cost more than 3 stars . . . and vice verse. Star level merely indicates the amenities provides - not quality or cost. (IME/IMO a two star would be generally be fine for a student group). More important than stars . . . what is your actual budget per double room/triple room/etc)
That really isn't relevant. Some 2 stars cost more than 3 stars . . . and vice verse. Star level merely indicates the amenities provides - not quality or cost. (IME/IMO a two star would be generally be fine for a student group). More important than stars . . . what is your actual budget per double room/triple room/etc)
Jul 11th, 2013, 04:21 PM
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Not glamorous, but reliable - the following chains: Formule 1, Mercure Ibis, Novotel (this last a bit pricier). I've not used any of these in Paris, but small pensions or hotels instead, not suitable for groups. As for safe areas, assuming you want to be fairly central, I've never experienced any problems. I guess it depends on the age of the students and how street wise they are.
Jul 11th, 2013, 04:48 PM
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Jul 11th, 2013, 05:14 PM
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I'm trying to wrap my mind around taking a bunch of college kids. Presumably they are all adults (18 or more) and free to do whatever they want. So will you provide a guide during the day and then they go out by themselves at night to student clubs and bars?
The firs time i went - 19 with my boyfriend - we stayed in a very simple place near the Sorbonne, which was a perfect location. Don;t know the name - since it was the last ice age - and who knows if it's still there or not.
The only reason I see to do more is to get AC. We were lucky since it was cool when we were there - but I've been back numerous times since - and in summer it was often over 90 - so we only go to places with ac (and naturally more upscale ones based on our current ages and travel habits.)
A key issue is how many students there will be - since many Paris hotels are small and won;t be able to house a large group. You might consult the tourist office for a list of places with enough rooms that meet your requirements and budget,
The firs time i went - 19 with my boyfriend - we stayed in a very simple place near the Sorbonne, which was a perfect location. Don;t know the name - since it was the last ice age - and who knows if it's still there or not.
The only reason I see to do more is to get AC. We were lucky since it was cool when we were there - but I've been back numerous times since - and in summer it was often over 90 - so we only go to places with ac (and naturally more upscale ones based on our current ages and travel habits.)
A key issue is how many students there will be - since many Paris hotels are small and won;t be able to house a large group. You might consult the tourist office for a list of places with enough rooms that meet your requirements and budget,
Jul 12th, 2013, 03:12 AM
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I think -- no offense -- that you need to use a travel agency that specializes in student budget travel, making sure of their references and their liability insurance.
Things ARE going to go wrong. Transportation will be late, Bill will never be on time, Mary will hate the food, John will get drunk every night, Joan will think the hotel is tacky. The farther you can stay from this, the better the educational component of the trip will be.
I would not even dream about this trip without consulting a lawyer about my own potential liability since releases are often worthless and getting my own personal liability insurance.
How many adults? Who stays behind when Phil is too sick to leave the hotel? Who deals with the lost passport? Stolen iPhone? Explains the cost of texting etc on international roaming? And on and on.
It is hard to know if this would be more difficult with economically disadvantaged students who really need to watch ever single penny or the entitled children of privilege.
Things ARE going to go wrong. Transportation will be late, Bill will never be on time, Mary will hate the food, John will get drunk every night, Joan will think the hotel is tacky. The farther you can stay from this, the better the educational component of the trip will be.
I would not even dream about this trip without consulting a lawyer about my own potential liability since releases are often worthless and getting my own personal liability insurance.
How many adults? Who stays behind when Phil is too sick to leave the hotel? Who deals with the lost passport? Stolen iPhone? Explains the cost of texting etc on international roaming? And on and on.
It is hard to know if this would be more difficult with economically disadvantaged students who really need to watch ever single penny or the entitled children of privilege.
Jul 12th, 2013, 05:06 AM
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http://www.mije.com/uk-accueil-individuels.asp
I have taken many large college groups to the MIJE youth hotels in Paris and everyone loved them - in neat old townhouses in the Marais - great location - walk to Notre Dame, Latin Quarter, etc. Have small private rooms and breakfast is included.
Can't go wrong with these hotels that have been around for years now.
I have taken many large college groups to the MIJE youth hotels in Paris and everyone loved them - in neat old townhouses in the Marais - great location - walk to Notre Dame, Latin Quarter, etc. Have small private rooms and breakfast is included.
Can't go wrong with these hotels that have been around for years now.
Jul 12th, 2013, 05:09 AM
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The title says college students and talked about a transatlantic cruise - so I was assuming US college - so 18 after their first year. That's why it seems kind of odd to me - since my experience is that kids that age travel with friends unless it's a lengthy semester abroad or similar rather than a brief vacation..
I must say the idea of a transatlantic cruise also seems odd - since I don;t know hot to do that in both directions - and it seem like a lot of time and money for kids - more likely to want to be out and about than sitting on a boat for 4 or 5 days.
I must say the idea of a transatlantic cruise also seems odd - since I don;t know hot to do that in both directions - and it seem like a lot of time and money for kids - more likely to want to be out and about than sitting on a boat for 4 or 5 days.
Jul 12th, 2013, 07:07 AM
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Yes, I did take a small group of students to the UK and Paris recently BUT:
1.We had no cruise involved. Definitely NOT interested in cruising with students!
2.Mine were high school age students, most under 18.
3.I had 3 other adults with me--parents and grandparent.
4.I used a company for the tour; I did NOT plan any of the travel or housing for the students, and I had a tour consultant and an on-site Tour Director who led us around and made the travel arrangements work.
I would not want to make travel arrangements for any age students, probably. Not sure if I'd want to "chaperone" a group of college-age students. But if you are comfortable, then blessings on you; sorry I don't have any specific rooming advice.
1.We had no cruise involved. Definitely NOT interested in cruising with students!
2.Mine were high school age students, most under 18.
3.I had 3 other adults with me--parents and grandparent.
4.I used a company for the tour; I did NOT plan any of the travel or housing for the students, and I had a tour consultant and an on-site Tour Director who led us around and made the travel arrangements work.
I would not want to make travel arrangements for any age students, probably. Not sure if I'd want to "chaperone" a group of college-age students. But if you are comfortable, then blessings on you; sorry I don't have any specific rooming advice.
Jul 12th, 2013, 09:47 AM
#19
>>>I will be taking students on a transatlantic cruise<<<
Are you sure? Transatlantic cruises are usually repositioning cruises of ships for the seasons of travel. Otherwise, you might find them time consuming (7-10 days at sea) and expensive (cheapest about $1700 just for the cruise part). You would also have to find one way flights for the return which would also be expensive. I really doubt college students would spend that kind of money just to get to a destination.
Are you sure? Transatlantic cruises are usually repositioning cruises of ships for the seasons of travel. Otherwise, you might find them time consuming (7-10 days at sea) and expensive (cheapest about $1700 just for the cruise part). You would also have to find one way flights for the return which would also be expensive. I really doubt college students would spend that kind of money just to get to a destination.
Jul 12th, 2013, 10:32 AM
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Hi,
as a Parisian and local tourist professional,
I think you shouldn't turn a blind eye,
- if you have a group of college students they would
be partying every night, moreover in France the legal
age for alcohol drinking is 18, so you must saty in a safe area not too far from "lively areas", I'm thinking about south areas like 15th, north 14th (near montparnasse) or 10th (Voltaire, Oberkampf).
In this case you would be sure that none of the young fellows would be lost during night party...
- To be sure in quality services, take a chain hotel
- If you want more than 10 rooms, take an hotel with large capacity (more than 100 rooms) and you have to NEGOCIATE prices or nature advantages ( try to include free breakfast for example).
My personal recommendation:
If I were you, I would reserve Ibis Cambronne (large hotel, >500 rooms), take twin rooms, try to include free breakfast as early booking advantage, the hotel is in a nice secured area (15th) close to Eiffel tower, Invalides and Montparnasse,
metro lines 6 and 10 nearby so easy access to Champs Elysées and all south areas 15th, 5th, 6th (where your students could safely party)...
Enjoy your trip!
Simon
as a Parisian and local tourist professional,
I think you shouldn't turn a blind eye,
- if you have a group of college students they would
be partying every night, moreover in France the legal
age for alcohol drinking is 18, so you must saty in a safe area not too far from "lively areas", I'm thinking about south areas like 15th, north 14th (near montparnasse) or 10th (Voltaire, Oberkampf).
In this case you would be sure that none of the young fellows would be lost during night party...
- To be sure in quality services, take a chain hotel
- If you want more than 10 rooms, take an hotel with large capacity (more than 100 rooms) and you have to NEGOCIATE prices or nature advantages ( try to include free breakfast for example).
My personal recommendation:
If I were you, I would reserve Ibis Cambronne (large hotel, >500 rooms), take twin rooms, try to include free breakfast as early booking advantage, the hotel is in a nice secured area (15th) close to Eiffel tower, Invalides and Montparnasse,
metro lines 6 and 10 nearby so easy access to Champs Elysées and all south areas 15th, 5th, 6th (where your students could safely party)...
Enjoy your trip!
Simon
