I am a 24 year old student, who is studying in Italy for a year and am going to Paris and Barcelona with three other girls for our fall break Oct 22-nov1. We are looking for an alternative to hostels that is as cheap or cheaper divided by four. So far I've heard of Ibis hotels, a european chain with affordable rooms charged by the room rather than the person. Anyone have any other ideas? Also affordable but authentic cuisine? Cool spots in Parigi for those on a budget?
grazie mille

Hi W,

You can look up "Paris and Restaurants" in the "search this forum" box.

However, Paris has so many small, inexpensive restaurants that it is no problem to find what you want. Just read the menu posted on the door.

For hotels, take a look at http://www.eurocheapo.com/paris

Eating in Paris doesn't have to be expensive, there are many cafes where you can dine on authentic cusine for not much money, or pick up some goodies at one of the markets and eat in your hotel or if warm enough - outside.

Hi
If you ignore the nastiness, there are some useful food budget suggestions here
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34692513

You mention being charged by the room rather than by the person. Hotels always charge by the room, though they may increase the room rate if an additional person is using the room.
Tour companies, or travel packages often quote rates as per person, double occupancy, but that is for the package arrangement and the package is generally paid for in full in advance.

Some Paris hotels do have rooms for four people, the term in English is 'quad' rooms. But, you might find that having two rooms for two people each are not much more expensive, and that would give the four of you two bathrooms. What did you have in mind, in specific cost, for accommodations for the four of you, per night?

Some budget hotels:

Hotel Excelsior - 5th www.excelsiorlatin.com
Twins 82€
Quads 98-110€

Hotel du Commerce - 5th http://www.commerce-paris-hotel.com/
Twins 59-69€
Quads 89-99€ (not ensuite)

Hotel St Andre des Arts - 6th http://www.france-hotel-guide.com/h7...dredesarts.htm
Twins 89€
Quads 115€

Lux Hotel Picpus - 11th http://www.france-hotel-guide.com/h75012lux.htm
Twins 47-56€
Quads 68-72€

cheap hotel suggestions

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34694048

It 's quite late to try this one, but you might try Hotel du College de France
http://www.hotel-collegedefrance.com/accueil-us.html
Rack rate, double, is 78 euro.
They book up fast.

It's in an excellent location for young people and gets consistently good reviews.

thanks everyone for the awesome suggestions! I will probably book one of the places I found through you today.
Anyone have a specific favorite spot they like in Parigi? Especially one with good wine? I'm a wine industry girl on a shoestring budget.......

The food court at the Louvre is inexpensive and offers quite a choice in a casual if someone busy and noisy atmosphere. There are a lot of inexpensive places in the Latin Quarter, especially if you like crêpes.

If you are really broke, you can’t beat plain hamburgers at McDonald’s for only 75 cent each.

Adding to your list: Hotel Cosmos on rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud in the 11th arrondissement

http://www.cosmos-hotel-paris.com/

Doubles at 55 euros per night and a short walk to rue Oberkampf, ground zero of Paris "cool."

There are a lot of wine bars in Paris... and if you look at the current issue (online) for ParisVoice.com, there is an article about several wine vendors, espec. that offer 'natural' wine (produced with fewer chemicals in the process)...

I keep thinking back on some good, cheap meals I've eaten in Paris. One place I went back to a couple of times was Pizza Milano at Blvd San Michel & the Seine. O.K., pizza you say, no way. But, it was really good, not like Domino's. Besides, you can sit on a patio (assuming no rain; otherwise sit inside) and people watch. Then you can cross Blvd San Michel and go to Café de le Depart and have a fabulous New York Sundae. I'm happy to say I went there several times Another great place to people watch.

travelnut-sounds like you are as interested in wine as I
nancy- pizza! i live in Italy currently and I can definitely say that, being allergic to wheat, it is pure torture to look at all the delectable pizzas being displayed in the cafe windows........ sounds good. Any suggestions on affordable areas to shop for clothing-shoes? good quality but non molto caro?
Also, does anyone know of any street markets or outdoor fair type places in Parigi worth checking out?
one day til take off, and definitely excited

For an inexpensive bistro, try Le Trumilou in the 4th. Lunch prix fixe is 13 euro and dinner 17euro. That includes entree, main course, and choice of 3 cheeses or dessert.