jenjenjen

I'll be taking my sister who is 20 and my cousin who is 15 to Paris next month. I'm 29 and since our age range is kind of broad I have some unique questions.

1- I think I'd like to stay in St. Germain area and I'm looking for a hotel room large enough for the three of us. My memories of Paris include very small rooms with either a queen bed or two tiny twin beds. Two of us can sleep together but I'm not sure if a twin bed will be comfortable enough. Is there a hotel in the 6th or 7th that has two full beds for around $100-120/night.

2- I've never stayed in the Marais area and am wondering if that would be a better choice. We all love to shop and eat in trendy places. Since this is their first trip I thought 6th would be more appropriate because it is quaint, centrally located, and it just has that "parisian" feel. But this is up for debate...any ideas?


3- What can I do with them at night? Are the clubs and bars strict with age limits? Is there a legal drinking age in Paris. I'm not trying to be a bad influency but I think they would get a kick out of a having a drink or dancing in a cool Parisian bar and I'd like to have some fun myslef.

4- I would like to take them to a fashion show? How can I get more information on where, when, and how to get tickets?

Surfergirl

When exactly are you going? End of June, or early July? Or around Bastille Day? I ask because my response might be a little different, depending on whether you'll be there for Bastille Day or not.

You must be 18 to drink legally in a public place. Ironically, the age of consent is 15.

Having said that, my son was given a glass of champagne on Bastille Day, at age 10, no less, and with parents present, they have always left his wine glass on the table in case he wants some of our wine. On our last trip a few years ago, we had my then 15 year old niece with us, and I don't remember anyone having a problem with her having a sip of wine now and again, nor did they have a problem with my cousin's then 13 year old son having a little wine in the presence of his parents.

In other words, it's quite relaxed on the drinking part, and a child can go into a market and purchase wine to take home to his or her parents.

WillTravel

I'm doubtful you will find such a hotel room as you are seeking in the 6th or the 7th. You're asking for what is really a quad room in a prime location for 80 - 100 Euros. You'd do better probably to look for a double bed + a twin, or three twin beds. However, even with a triple that price range is unlikely in the 6th or 7th.

But Hotel Marignan in the 5th has triple rooms with three bunk beds that may be in your price range.
http://www.hotel-marignan.com

Various Ibis hotels (none in the 6th or 7th) would be a little cheaper. These typically have a smallish double bed and a bunk. These would be very cramped for 3 people.

Maybe you could rent a room in a hostel. It's possible that you could just rent a quad room (probably 2 sets of bunk beds).

But just in case, check out http://www.hrs.de and enter your parameters. Also check out http://www.eurocheapo.com and http://www.accorhotels.com .

One (very) budget hotel that is in the 3rd that has a double + a twin is the Hotel Commines. I have only read about it, not stayed there.

Rather than be overly cramped and have to share a bed, my personal preference would be to stay in a hostel. At least you would each get a separate bunk that way.

Flyboy

With regard to your cousin, be sure to carry a notarized letter from both parents authorizing travel. The letter should state your name as the person with whom she is traveling. Surfergirl, I think the legal age for alcohol consumption in France is 16, rather than 18.

janis

If you actually mean NEXT month (June) you have left it very late to be finding bargain rooms. You don't need two double beds -- that is a quad and those are relatively few and far between and mostly outside your price range. There are many triple rooms in Paris, but they do tend to book up early.

To be practical - at this late date any specific hotels that Fodorites might recommend are likely full - so I'd just get on one of the good booking sites and get to work NOW finding a place.

WillTravel

Other good sites to look for budget rates:

http://www.hotelclub.net
http://www.ratestogo.com/
http://venere.com
http://paris.gtahotels.com/special_offers/Paris_hotels

Flyboy

Here's a link to my Paris notes:

http://www.igougo.com/planning/journ...JournalID=3126

There are three hotels cited that are close to the Marais area:

Campanile Paris Nation; Grand Hotel Francais and the Ibis Paris Republique. Two offer triples and are decent values, so you might want to check out those specific properties:

http://www.ibishotel.com/ibis/index.html (for the Ibis Paris Republique)

http://www.grand-hotel-francais.fr/ (for the Grand Hotel Francais)

Another chain worth checking out is Comfort Inn, which has a number of properties in Paris. (Don't worry -- they are not the cookie cutter things that you may be accustomed to elsewhere.)

WillTravel

Good point Flyboy. The Comfort Hotel URL is http://www.choicehotels.com although cheaper rates are sometimes available through other sources.

marty

Take a look at Regent's Hotel:
http://www.france-hotel-guide.com/h75006regs.htm
We were there in March, and although we requested twin rooms, one of our rooms was a triple with 3 single beds. Another room which was off the terrace and might be good for you had a double and a twin. All of their rooms are larger than most with nice, new bathrooms. We paid 85 E for the twin rooms and 95 E for the triples. The hotel is very near St. Suplice and two metros. Breakfast is not included, but there is a bakery at the end of the street. It was my second time staying there, and I will stay there next time I am in Paris.

Travelnut

Here are a few for you to look into that are often mentioned here:

Grand Hotel Jeanne d'Arc 3, rue de Jarente 75004
http://www.parishotels.com/Hotel_Jeanne_d_Arc_en.html

Hotel Residence Monge 55, rue Monge 75005
http://www.hotelmonge.com/hotel-stan...52&lang=en

Hôtel de France Invalides 102, boulevard de La-Tour-Maubourg 75007
http://www.parishotels.com/Hotel_de_...alides_en.html

Hôtel Champ des Mars 7, rue du Champ de Mars 75007
www.hotel-du-champ-de-mars.com

grantop

Beatchick started a great post about triple rooms in Paris. I'll find it and "top it" for you.

This link MIGHT take you to her post: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34478609

jenjenjen

Thank you everyone for the help. We will be traveling from June 26-July 5th. Should I consider getting an apartment since we'll be there for more than a week? I haven't found much information on apartments. Can someone direct me to the right place? My budget is not that tight, I guess I was being overly optimistic about the price range. Anything under $200 would be fine.

suze

$200 will certainly be more easily do-able than $100 originally mentioned. Marais, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, would all work for what you describe. Since your trip is less than a month away, and you need a triple room, I'd say get busy direct with hotels and try to get a reservation asap! Places popular on this BB or listed in guidebooks most likely book up further in advance. Truly, you can worry about entertainment and neighborhood atmosphere once you've found a place to stay! Most kindly.

ira

Hi jen,

Try the Hotel Bonaparte, 61 rue Bonaparte in the 6th. They have triples for about 160E with bkfst.

This is where we always stay.

Tel 33 1 43 26 97 37
FAX 33 1 46 33 57 67

amwosu

I suggest you take a bike tour of the city with Fat Tire Bike Tours on your first day to get acquainted with the city and meet other travelers. The tour guides are typically young and American and fun and the tour takes you past (not through) the major sights. You don't have to reserve space in advance- just show up at the base of the Eiffel Tower. They have two trips during the day and another at night (the night tour includes a trip to Il St. Louis for the famous Berthillon ice cream and the trip back is via a boat ride on the Seine with free flowing wine included in the tour cost).
http://www.fattirebiketoursparis.com/

I will be in the city with my 14 yr old son June 28-July 8 (as will another mom/son duo)if you are interested in going to a club together or do one of the bike tours with us.

We will be staying in both the Marais (www.hoteljeanned'arc.com)and in an apartment in the Latin Quarter (www.private-paris.com). There are pros and cons to staying in both- hotels have concierge help available, apartments are typically larger. I chose those two areas after much research because they are fun, open 24/7, and have character. Send me an email if you want more info or want to meet up in Paris.
[email protected]

travelbunny

..re your hotel..i love both st. germain and le marais..but for different reason..given your age rnage if you do split up at all at night leaving one to walk home alone both are safe but ive always felt more comfortable in the residential areas of the 6th...so i dont think you can go wrong. you should be able to find a triple in your price range on venere or parishotels.com you could wait to try to get a real deal on ratestogo but you might want to have a reservation (which you can cancel with minimal penalty ..and some of these booking sites do allow it and others dont..so read the small print) if you choose to wait esp during busy tourist season..let us know!