gaylea

My girlfriend and I are doing a girls vacation in France March 13-21. Both of us are a youthful early 50's, artsy, not tons of money. Thinking of staying at the Hotel St. Paul in Paris near St. Suplice. A friend stayed at L'Odeon next door in '97 and loved it. We liked the look of the St. Paul on line and the location seemed nice. This would be a splurge for us but we're hoping that it will be really nice. We would then seek cheaper B+B's or hotels down south. Feedback on this hotel and the wisdom of staying in this area would help. If you know other nice options for less money reasons why this location isn't that great I would love to hear it. Also any great finds in this part of Paris, resturants, bistro's etc.
This trip was an impulsive decision as we decided to meet in Paris when I am on my way back from 2 wks in Niger ( working with a non-profit in the north) We plan 3 days Paris and 4 in Provence. Right now I'm thinking a rail'n drive pass to get down south by train then drive around small towns. I'll keep reading the posts but we want to book our 3 nights in Paris very soon.
I wish I'd looked at this site sooner!! Everyone seems so helpful!

(I did another post earlier about where to go in Provence for a few days in March.)

Scarlett

I have a friend in NYC who stays at the St Paul whenever she is in Paris, she is maybe around 50. Her brother also stays there often ( and he can definitely afford a big grand hotel)..they just like the hotel and the owners and the area.
If the area worries you in any way- you could look around rue Jacob/Bonaparte, that part of the StGermain neighborhood.
But, I think where the St Paul is located is very nice, it is a small street connecting to Blvd St Michel, there is a popular restaurant around there, Chez Maitre Paul at 12 rue Monsieur Le Prince

Phread

I don't know the hotel, but St Sulpice is a great area. It is in a real neighborhood, and yet still central to all of the sights.
The Cafe de la Mairie is a great place for cafe sitting and people watching, and the very nearby Gerard Mulot bakery is one of the better ones in Paris.
Be sure to stop in at Pierre Herme on the rue Bonaparte for a pastry. His Pleintude chocolate cake (indivdual sizes avail.) is just about the best thing to pass my lips.
And Jean-Charles Rochoux Chocolates on the rue d'Assas, near the corner of rue de Rennes is another absolute treasure.

Travelnut

Check for hotel comments on Tripadvisor.com as well...

Boots

I have stayed here on several occasions. The area is fine, very close to the Luxembourg Gardens, Blvd. St-Michel, and the Odéon métro which is on Blvd. St-Germain. There is a self-service laundry across the street from the hotel and several fairly inexpensive Japanese restaurants on the street. The hotel is well run by Valérie Benigno; the staff is very helpful. I think Spoutnik, the cat, is still there. There is a nice sitting room with newspapers and magazines. I think it is a lovely hotel. Boots

Morganne

Hotel Saint Paul is a good hotel to stay...Friends of mine stayed there twice and was really happy of their stays...The area is very livelful...Do not hesitate, you would not regret...You can see pictures of the hotel on:
http://www.h-saintpaul.com
Have a good trip