Another Paris Hotel Question
 

Hi,

I've read so many Paris threads and I think my question is a little different, so I wanted to post myself.

I'm planning my mother in law's first trip abroad. She is going to Paris for 8 days in May. She will be traveling alone. She is very independent, but will feel much more comfortable with a very helpful and friendly front desk that will assist in directions and restaurant recommendations. She is on a budget and we are looking for 100-150 Euros a night.

From her reading, she has decided that her ideal Paris trip will involve a ton of walking, sitting in parks, sitting at cafes, and visiting museums. She does not drink any alcohol and though she will enjoy a good meal, she won't be looking for expensive dinners.

We are narrowing our search to the 6th and the part of the 7th closer to the 6th. Does this sound right? She wants a mix of atmosphere and quiet. Do you recommend a different area?

Do you have any specific hotel recommendations that would work well for her?

Thank you so much!

I personally find the Ile St. Louis (4th dist.) to be very central to the 5th and 6th districts. The island's main street is wonderful as it contains nice shops, restaurants, and a market. Last visit I stayed at the Hotel Saint Louis which I find to be the most reasonably priced hotel on the island. Rooms tend to be quite small for two but for one person they're liveable. I have stayed also at both the Hotel de Lutece and the Deux Iles on prior visits. Both are nice especially the Lutece, but they are a bit more expensive than the Saint Louis.

I think your plans are fine. Those are both good areas to stay for a variety of reasons, and pleasant.

I've only stayed in one hotel in the 7th in the area you are seeking, and I didn't think they were particularly friendly or helpful at all (the Muguet), so can't recommend them for those reasons. In fact, I didn't like most everyone on the staff there, but particularly one of the desk clerks was rather rude and unhelpful just in answering questions about the hotel services, although I didn't ask them anything about Paris or for restaurant recommendations. The hotel was of decent quality within your price range, though, and convenient to metro stops.

My solo trip to Paris, I stayed in the Hotel Relais du Louvre in the 1eme.
Out the door was the Louvre. Their single room was very comfortable; small refrigerator (good for snacks, wine); breakfast was brought to the room at whatever time I requested. And first and foremost, the staff was a delight.
My room was 99E's a night. I'll admit this, the room was narrow, but long...
I didn't feel the need to "go outside so that I could change my mind". Does it help that I was 52 at the time?

I've traveled solo and stayed in the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th and if I could get a room on Ile St Louis within my budget that's where I would stay. It's my favorite neighborhood in Paris, convenient to everything. All the rooms I've had in Paris have been small but that's not an issue for me for a week's vacation.

My sister stayed at the Deux Iles on Ile St. Louis last May and loved it.

Have you fixed the exact dates yet for the trip? If not, please keep in mind that May is full of French statutory holidays (May 1, May 8 and May 27 or 28, in 2007). This means that trains, planes and roads can be quite crowded as Parisiens take off and come back from long weekend holidays. That will affect prices, and make it a little more difficult to get in and out of Paris. Transportation workers sometimes like to strike at this time of year, to inconvenience all those people taking holidays. A few museums, shops and restaurants might be closed for holidays, so make sure you check for special holiday hours.

It could also be worth having a look for hotels on the southeastern edge of the 16th arrondissement. This area has good views of the Eiffel Tower (it's just across the river from the 7th), is quite upscale and the Left Bank is easily walkable. The streets and avenues are broader, not quite as narrow and crooked as parts of the Left Bank (although that's part of its charm).

I don't know if you've chosen a hotel yet, but it's worth investigating Best Westerns. They often have quite a lot of charm, and come in a range of prices from about 80 euros up to about 200. They vary quite a lot in quality, though, so you will want to do your research on tripadvisor to check user reviews. One advantage of BW is that it's easy to book a room now and cancel it later, if you find a better option.

If she likes Impressionist Art, she should be sure to include the Musee Marmottan on her to see list. It's a small museum on the western edge of the 16th, and it has an extraordinary collection of Monets (the largest in the world, I think).

Christie:

We stayed several times on Ile St. Louis, at the Lutece..found it to be perfectly located..walking distance to most of Paris sights and a few Metro stops from others.

Last spring we switched to the Marais district and were very happy with that, also. It seems to have become the "in" place...we had always enjoyed visiting the Marais, but staying there was very practical and comfortable this time. We stayed at the tastefully redecorated Hotel Duo (former Axial Beaubourg), at the edge of the Marais, near Pompidou Center and the City Hall (Hotel de Ville) areas....both window and walk-in shopping is at its best in the Marais according to dear wife, too.

Take it from a fellow Californian (?)You can't go wrong with either location.
Stu T.

Thanks for all of the responses. It looks like I will expand my search a little bit. I think the Ile St. Louis sounds great and I didn't realize that there were hotels in our budget there. Christina, thanks for the note about the Muguet as that was on our list of hotels. Stu, those hotels all look good and I will add them to my list for her to review.

Suzie, my mother in law will also be 52 at the time of the trip, so I guess it is a good age for solo Paris!

The dates are set from May 15-24 so it looks like it doesn't conflict with the holidays. Husband and I are traveling to Florence in early May and she'll be watching our daughter, but she wants to go in May, so she is going in the second half of the month.

Thanks again!

Hi CCA,

I think that the Hotel Bonaparte, 61 Rue Bonaparte in the 6th. Would work well for your mother.

It is within her budget.
Front desk is staffed 24/7.
It has an elevator and AC.
It is located near 3 metro stops.
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))

Leaving on May 24th shouldn't be a problem. It might be a little busier than the average Thursday, as some Parisiens might decide to take a super long weekend, but the bigger departing crowds would be on Friday.

Let me add to Ira's suggestion of Hotel Bonaparte. I thought of it immediately when you described your MIL.

In our stays there, the staff stands out as one of the highlights---friendly, helpful and very approachable. I like that they bring a tray to your room in the morning (just call down and order breakfast when you wake up). The immediate vicinity is quite upscale: attractive shops, lots of cafes/restaurants, good for strolling.

I haven't priced a single, but I suspect it would be in the 110-120 euro range.

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

I've stayed at this hotel and it is in a wonderful location, steps from Notre Dame and the Seine, Ile St. Louis, Blvd St Germain. Look at the location map on the site. It's on a quiet, one-way street with views of the Seine and Ile St Louis (if you have a front room) and hotel service was good.

I think you will have a hard time finding a well-located hotel for 100 euros these days, especially in May -- high season. Don't wait too long to make reservations when you've decided on hotel options, hotels in the center are small and book early.

I like this location and the Ile St Louis because I love being so close to the Seine; it's beautiful at night with the lights of Notre Dame and other lighted buildings reflected on the water, and it's quick and easy to cross the bridges to the right bank.

Louisa,
You know I love Hotel de Notre Dame as much as you do. But, having stayed at both, I think the Bonaparte may be better suited for her MIL. The metro/bus options are significantly better at the Bonaparte. I think the staff is more cheerful. And the window shopping is tons more fun!

Well, it depends on what the MIL is looking for in terms of shopping. There are nice shops along the rue St. Louis en L'Ile and also in the Marais district. St. Germain has nice boutiques and shops and around the 7th (bordering the 6th) on the rue du Bac, for instance, they're very nice. But I find the cafes on the Ile St. Louis facing the back of Notre Dame afford more scenic views than the ones in St. Germain, but this is just one more opinion.

My vote is for the st germain des pres area in the 6th. The following hotels should be in your mom's budget: hotel des deux continents, hotel du danube and hotel verneuil.

I think what we have here is everyone's personal imagining of what a mother-in-law is like! :-)

Good point JeanneB!

I have printed out information about all of these hotels for my mother in law. I will be seeing her for Thanksgiving and we will have a blast going through the pros and cons of each one. Hopefully a decision will be made so she can be booked this weekend!

I agree that the 6th or the 7th is the nicest, and most convenient area of the city to park yourself while you explore the city. I highly recommend Hotel Verneuil in the 6eme - I've stayed there twice. Lovely rooms (on the small side as they all are), marble bathrooms. Located on a quiet side street off Rue de Seine - between Blvd. St. Germain and the Seine. Great Location(42-60-82-14 phone) Also, Hotel d'angleterre- the former british embassy - rooms tend to be slightly larger here. Biggest/best room is room 51 (top floor suite). (phone- 42-60-34-72). Finally, if you can splurge for a really nice hotel, I highly recommend the Hotel Duc de Saint-simon.

regarding the Bonaparte price, I have a reservation for the beginning of June, 97 Euro for a single room including breakfast.
(take notice that they do have a cancellation fee of 16 Euro from the date of reservation).

Regarding the Verneuil I stayed in a standard room (#401) which was extra tiny even for Paris. The bathroom, however, was almost as large as the bedroom. Aunt stayed in a dlx. double (#402) which was spacious, nice; bathroom was smaller than 401's although it had two bathrobes included.

Better to reserve a deluxe double room. We reserved room #302 last time; it was a bit smaller than #402.

Night manager recommends top floor room (#502) if you want light as it has two windows.

Did not like both the Danube and Angleterre-just unlucky probably with our rooms at these places.

"Louisa,
You know I love Hotel de Notre Dame as much as you do. But, having stayed at both, I think the Bonaparte may be better suited for her MIL. The metro/bus options are significantly better at the Bonaparte. I think the staff is more cheerful. And the window shopping is tons more fun!"

Hi Jeanne,

My first choice is Ile St Louis, second the De Notre Dame. I know people love the Bonaparte and it might be the right choice for the MIL. One of my friends stayed there and liked it very much. I've walked around the area a few times but wouldn't want to stay there.

The appeal to me of the Hotel de N.D. and Ile St. Louis is the proximity of Notre Dame, the flower/bird market, the Seine, and quick access to the right bank -- an easy walk to the Pompidou, the Marais, and walks by the bookstalls along the Seine.

There is a metro stop at Maubert right around the corner from the N.D. I dont' know about bus stops but I usually walk or take the metro.

It's about being closer to the Seine for me and I realize that may not matter to others. I loved the view of the river and the buildings on Ile St. Louis from my room at the de Notre Dame.

I haven't stayed on Ile St. Louis but I always walk around the island, stop in the small shops, cafe, bakery etc. and have sat on a bench facing the river eating gelato and watching boats and people pass by -- more interesting to me than window shopping.

Christie:
Please come back and tell us how went the T'giving pow wow with your mother-in-law!

Christina,
I kind of know how you feel about the Muguet. It's a nice enough hotel, but overall I didn't feel like the staff was very friendly. They weren't UNfriendly....just a little standoffish. And not too good about communicating when the hot water heater broke. I'd rather stay at the Royal Phare for the price.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34772527

We have had really good luck at the
Relais Bosquet in the 7th district..
around 150-160 Euros and the staff is wonderful!
Perfect location and next to the Marche and walking distance to Florimond..
Friends have stayed at the Muguet and they said the staff was somewhat rude and they were not allowed to eat or drink in their room..and were reminded about it everytime they came in and out of the hotel..weird?
www.relaisbosquet.com

We loved Hotel Delavigne in the 6th. It is literally around the corner from the Luxembourg Garden and very close to the Cluny Museum, Blvd. St. Germain, and Notre Dame, but on a quiet street, so it's not noisy. The desk clerk was incredibly helpful and kind. www.hoteldelavigne.com

I don't mean to make too much of this in this thread (and who knows what christieCA did), because I generally stay in a hotel for reasons other than the staff myself. But just to make it clear what I meant--I don't think the Muguet staff is friendly exactly, so don't think they'd suit someone who really wants a particularly friendly staff and requests that. But that really wasn't my personal complaint about them, as I don't care about that too much. One of them was rather rude to me when I asked him some questions about the hotel phone system. It was just a simple question, and he was really rude in his response--very dismissive, treating me like I'm a bother and stupid, and not really answering. Basically he wanted me to go away, it was clear. And I know French and can communicate well in it, so it wasn't that he didn't understand me (I understood his responses all too well, such as they were). So that was one of the main reasons I didn't like their staff, not because they weren't friendly per se. The woman who runs it wasn't that courteous to me, either, but I wouldn't call her rude. For example, when I asked her if I could change rooms because I really didn't like the room I had that well (it was very small and I didn't like the location), she just said, no, we are completely full. In other hotels, when a manager is trying to be nicer to the guests, he or she might say something like -- no, I'm very sorry but we are completely full tonight, but I'll keep you in mind in case something opens up. Something like that. That's the way they treat me in my favorite hotel in Paris and most any other I've been in -- they actually want to help the guest and please them.

I think the Muguet is a decent value hotel for the price range, and it's well kept up, but don't really think it is anything that exceptional like some people do, just in terms of quality of room, etc. I've stayed in plenty as good or better for that price. I know some people really love this hotel, though, but some of that is the luck of the draw, such as the room you may get.

Thanks for checking in with me! I *think* we have decided to go with the Hotel Relais du Louvre in the 1st. We have been in correspondence with them and they are very friendly and you certainly can't beat the price.

We are also still considering the Hotel Bonaparte as well as the Hotel du College de France in the 5th. Each week, we say that this is the week we will book her hotel, but something keeps stopping us. Hopefully this is the one!