Budget Stay in Paris & Rome
 

Hello All,

Okay, I'm planning our first trip (My husband and I) to Europe in Sept and I am totally hit with sticker shock in light of the devaluation of the greenback.

I'm looking for B&Bs or apartments in Paris, Venice, Florence, and Roma for about 70 - 90 euros a night. I'm looking for clean, comfortable lodging close to trains and/or city centers.

I'd appreciate your personal recommendations and any other color you can provide.

Thanks in advance!

I can't speak to Paris, since I haven't been there for 20 years, but I don't think 70 Euro is realistic for Italy. You will find a few apartments for 90 Euro in Rome; B&Bs tend to be more expensive. And both kinds of accommodations are more expensive in Venice than in Rome.

Also bear in mind that September is considered highest season in Italy, so you are unlikely to get any breaks on rates.

You can also try looking at www.slowtrav.com they have an excellent vacation rental review section.

We used www.romepower.com last year and you can sort by location and price range for Rome, and I think they do other parts as well. We had no issues and would definitely use them again.

For the Italian cities, your budget is possible with convent accommodation. However, this books up quickly. Look up some threads on that. I stayed at this convent in Florence:
http://www.fmmfirenze.it

For Paris, prices can vary dramatically, and September tends to be an expensive month. However, a couple options that are in your price range, most likely:
http://www.cosmos-hotel-paris.com/
http://fr.federal-hotel.com/hotel_ho...elys_11966.htm

There are others in the same sort of category. I should say I haven't personally stayed at these.

Sorry, the second hotel link wasn't good (wrong city) - try this one:
http://www.123france.co.uk/en/0/hote...s_14029755_en/

I agree that September is the most expensive time, at least for Italy. I can give you the names of some hotels I stayed at in your price range in July a few years ago, but those were lower prices than the hotels charged in spring and fall, so I'm pretty sure they'll be more. In Florence try Hotel Desiree (www.florence.ala.it/desiree/). In Venice I stayed at Hotel Violino d'Oro but I know it was much more expensive in the fall. It was a great hotel/location though. When I stayed at those hotels they were €45 and €65 each. This summer I'm going to be staying in Padua and had trouble finding a single for €60, but I did. It's the Hotel Al Santo (www.alsanto.it/). I haven't stayed there but it looks pretty good. I really think staying IN Venice is more desirable for someone who is going to Venice (I've been twice in recent years and want to see Verona, Vicenza and Padua on this trip) but if worse comes to worse, a lot of people do stay in Padua to visit Venice, it's a 30 minute train ride.

In Paris try Hotel Saint Andres des Arts in the 6th. Fabulous location. It's only a one star (no lift, no AC) but it's clean and the price includes breakfast which most Paris hotels charge extra for. It was €105 for a quad a few years ago. I can also recommend the Hotel St Jacques in the 5th, Hotel Minerve in the 5th, and Hotel Champs des Mars in the 7th but I have a feeling they've all gone up in the last few years. They were in your price range when I stayed at them. The last time I was in Paris I rented an apartment, but unless you are staying 6 days or more the price tends to be as much as most budget hotels. I used www.rentparis.com/home.php and was very happy with them. We rented the apartment on Rue Chapon in the 3rd.

Good luck (you'll need it. But if will be worth it.)

Hotel de Turrene was great and close to the Eiffel Tower
Rosie
((R))

Florence:
http://www.bedinflorence.it/

Rome:
http://www.hotelpanda.it/
http://www.b-b.rm.it/ They have several apartments in the 80-95 Euro range.

Venice:
http://www.alcampaniel.com/

Good luck with your planning.

Hi D,

In Florence, I can highly recommend www.bedinflorence.it.

In Venice, look at
http://www.alcampaniel.com/
www.hotelbernardi.com/en/hotel.html

In Paris, try
www.france-hotel-guide.com/h75012lux.htm

Enjoy your visit.

((I))

This is an excellent budget hotel in Paris, in a great location:
http://www.hotelgobelins.com/

For Paris: try http://www.vacationinparis.com They have all sorts of room prices, you pay in dollars vs euros, and have key in hand before you even leave. You could stay in 4th-7th arrondissments and be able to walk to most touristy places, or catch the metro.

In italy, you might consider some of the places run bythe Catholic Church. It worked for us. It wasn't a luxury room, but it was big, with a nice view, and high wooden ceiling.

Thank you so much for all of your responses!

I didn't realize Sept was high season in Italy. Which mos are considered low season?

For Italy, January, after the Christmas and Epiphany holidays are over (Epiphany is January 6, but the holiday may possibly extended a bit if it is adjacent to a weekend).

deewaani - Sept is definitely high season. Prices start to lower after mid-Nov. The "low" season would be Jan/Feb, but in Venice, Carnival is in Feb and that week will be high season.

Also try www.homelidays.com. I used them two years ago & am currently deciding between several studios in Paris listed there - they're running around 350 to 450 euros per week, although you certainly can spend more if you want.