1st time to Paris
 

Hi,

I'm planning to go to Paris in mid April-beginning of May. I definitely want to see the Louvre, Effiel Tower and the Champ-Elysees. What section do you suggest I stay in and can you suggest hotels?

Thanks

All sections are fine to stay in. Most people stay in St. Germaine, Rue Cler and the Marias. The Paris Metro is so incredible you can get anywhere in a short period of time. Search Paris hotels on this website and you will come up with alot with great recommendations. You don't mention in you post what price range you are looking for.

Your budget is a major consideration in deciding the area in which you wish to stay. Also - do you like to walk? Which mode of transportation do you anticipate using (as Ann said, the Metro will get you just about anywhere)?

Also, would you prefer a quiet neighborhood or are you looking for some nightlife, clubs, jazz, etc.?

Hi SD,

>...can you suggest hotels?

Most first timers stay in the 1-7 and the 14th (near the 6th) arrondissiments.

Watch your budget?

((I))

Familiarize yourself with the Metro!!!! I'll be traveling to Paris in the beginning of April. This will be my 12th time. I prefer the Holiday Inn. I believe it's the one in the 2nd arr. Great price, great breakfast.

How to familiarize yourself with the Métro: http://www.atkielski.com/PDF/data/ParMetro.pdf

(Requires adobe.com Reader.)

I will also be in Paris the second half of April and I am traveling solo. This is my 4th trip and for the second time I will be staying at the Hotel Valadon (www.hotelvaladon.com) in the 7th. The rooms are large (for Paris) and comfortable. The owners, the Orsennes are very friendly and helpful.

There are plenty of restaurants in the area and easy transportation connections. Plus my favorite chocolate shop is about 3 blocks away.

I can second nwtraveler's recommendation of the Hotel Valadon. Modern and very clean rooms with a bit of style. We had a comfortable stay there and enjoyed being visited in the breakfast room by the Orsenne's dog.

Robespierre-thanks for the pdf file on the Paris Metro. It will be very helpful to this family of 5 travelling to Paris for the first time in June.

We're staying at Hotel Central in the 14th (near the 6th) arrondissiment. www.venere.com has always been my favorite site for locating hotels in Europe, but for booking, see if you can get a better deal directly through the hotel website.

also search paris trip here and you will get all the advice you need and more.

Hi SDee,
If there's one thing that you will find here, it will be Paris Hotel reocmmendations. Probably not a day goes by without that questions, so you are not alone in asking.

To help narrow it down, read the Fodor's Paris guide on this site. Then google for a map of Paris with the arrondissements on it. Once you;ve done that you'll see where the sites you want to visit are located, based on the arrondissements...for example Eiffel Tower int eh 7th, Louvre in the 1st, Notre Dame in the 4th, St Germain in the 6th, Arch de Tripme in the 8th, etc... Realize that the Metro and bus system is extensive, so no matter where you stay, you will have a Metro station nearby (I've read somewhere that in Paris you are lways witinh 500m of a station).

So after you;ve done that, it comes down to...I want 4 walls...I want four luxurious walls...I want luxury and a view of the Eiffel tower. Give us a budget, that will help, along with what is important in a hotel room for you. And throw into the mix..want to stay central so can walk most places....want to stay in a quite, non-touristy area with access to the tourist locations via Metro or bus.

As a swag and generalizing, people here tend to like the 4th/5th/6th/and 7th arrondissments.

Mike

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. I don't even know what price range to budget for, but was thinking under 200 a night. I'm so glad I found this site. Any other suggestions are welcome!!

Thanks again

$200 USD I meant.
I would like moderate rooms, not super luxury but nice. Also, central located.

Thanks!

We stayed three years ago at Hotel Relais Bosquet. A small hotel near Rue Cler. Really nice neighborhood, centrally located, clean. At the time it was around $200 USD per night. Check it out.

Hi SD,

We always stay at the Hotel Bonaparte, 61 Rue Bonaparte in the 6th. From 124E dbl w/bkfst. It is located near 3 metro stops. Has AC and an elevator.

Tel 33 1 43 26 97 37
FAX 33 1 46 33 57 67
www.hotelbonaparte.fr

For more info, enter "Hotel Bonaparte" in the "search this forum" box.

Photos are at http://tinyurl.com/ludgd

((I))

Hi

My wife and I went to Paris in April last year for a week. Since we were staying so many days we tried to find a cheap hotel. We ended up with TimHotel Tour Eiffel. I have posted a review of the hotel in my trip report on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/Paris_France.htm and you can also see some pictures from the hotel there. If you want to see the location of the hotel you should check out my interactive Google map on http://gardkarlsen.com/paris_france_map.htm . The hotel is marked with a yellow marker but I have also indicated where you will find some of the other attractions. Click on the markers for more info :d . Hope this helps...and get in touch if you have any questions :-)

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures