Calling Upon All Paris Experts
 

I will be traveling at the end of March with my 2 nieces to Paris. Air already booked. The selection of hotels within my $100 to $150 per room (2 separate rooms) comes with a bit of challenge. I was hoping to find a 1 or 2-bedroom apartment that can accommodate 3 people. But, most claim a sofa as a bed, and uncle here at age 66 isn’t prepared for a sofa, and especially since I’m paying 100% for the trip for the 3 of us. The other part of the challenge, and where I need your expertise and guidance is what area to stay in? Normally when I travel to Paris, I’m okay with where I stay, and I have my usual go to hotel. However, with the nieces, we need to be near the metro and train. Our plan is to visit Versailles, Disney Paris, and a day trip to Brussels for a chocolate treat. So, staying close to, and within walking distance to a metro or train that can accommodate our transportation needs would be perfect. Any suggestion as to what area to stay in?

Thanking you in advance for your anticipated responses ~

Well, just don't stay in the center near the Seine, and your budget is extremely easy to respect. Look at something like www.hotels.com and you'll see what I mean.

I agree, with that budget you will do much better staying in the outskirts/outer arr.

>>I was hoping to find a 1 or 2-bedroom apartment that can accommodate 3 people.<<

Most flats in Paris are illegal and the relatively few legal ones now charge a premium. $100 = approx €85 which is very low in central Paris. Look at Ibis properties -- there are several.

Try the Novotel chain (Accor hotels), but first look at booking.com.

Adagio, which is an aparthotel brand under Accor, may have some suites that work for you.

Honestly, with a $100-$150 per diem budget for hotels, I wouldn't waste time on Disney. You're making a considerable investment of time and money to get to Paris, France; why would you spend hundreds of dollars on an icon of American culture that you can see in Florida or California?

And why spend $200 on train tickets (plus the time spent getting to the station, getting through security, time on the train, time to your chocolate experience ... and double that time as you're going round-trip)? You can have the same experience in Paris. Would anyone in your party would be able to discern the difference between pieces of Belgian vs. French chocolate? And even if they could, would it be worth $200 and a full day of your time?

Here's an example of a chocolate experience in Paris.

CHOCOLATE & PASTRY WALKING TOUR

How about taking a walk in Paris and tasting some of the finest chocolates in the world? Paris is home to some of the best chocolate boutiques in the world, and the art of chocolate making is part of the French culture and savoir-faire. Almost all the prestigious boutiques are located either in the Saint Germain des Prés or Saint Honoré areas.

Accompanying you during this 2 hour walking tour is our chocolate expert (Maitre Chocolatier). She will introduce you to this sweet world, letting you enjoy a delightful and indulgent experience! While walking through the small streets of Saint Germain des prés or Saint Honoré, you will step inside several prestigious chocolate boutiques and taste each of the house specialties.

During the tasting experiences, our chocolate connoisseur will tell you how these specialties are made. You and your children will also learn everything about the different types of chocolate, be it white, dark or milk chocolate. The Chocolate Walking Tour ends at Un Dimanche à Paris, an iconic traditional café in the Saint Germain area, or at Angelina near Saint Honoré, where Proust and Coco Chanel, as well as many other iconic historical figures, once enjoyed a quiet and delightful moment. There, you and your children will take pleasure in savoring one of the best hot chocolates in Paris while our chocolate expert will tell you the history of chocolate and how the cocoa bean was introduced to Europe.

DURATION – 2 hours Minimum age – 6 years

I have to agree completely with travelhorizons. Your budgeting is pretty askew. Disney Paris is a huge waste of time and money. Going to Brussels for chocolate is silly and expensive - there are Belgian chocolate stores ALL OVER Paris, and do you or your nieces have the expertise to know the differences among chocolatiers?

An aparthotel will probably be your best bet for accommodations.

A search method to find your hotel without driving yourself crazy. Go to hotels.com, enter "Paris" and your check in and check out dates. Choose two rooms, etc. Go to the filters column on the left and click the features you want For instance, in March you won't click air conditioning but you might want in room wifi and TV. Skip expensive hotel breakfasts. Choose maximum price per room or for the two rooms (per room $150 or euro 100).. I don't know how this will work since I have only looked for one room/2 persons. Search. You may want to select a distance from city center or a landmark or price or rating as the ordering for the display. When you see a place you may like, click the location map and see how far it is from a Metro station. Read the reviews. Look at the room amenities, beds, etc. After checking a few hotels, you will find the few you want to consider and return here for further advice.

After I read the budget . . . I went straight to reply and didn't even get to the bottom of your OP. A day trip to Brussels of all places . . . when your budget for accommodations is so low?? That is truly a screwy use of your limited resources. And you don't think there are great chocolates in Paris (yes, even Belgian chocolates). Disneyland is fine but very expensive if you only have a budget of $100-$150 per night. Have the Nieces ever been to Orlando or Anaheim? If yes, they may find DL Paris a bit of a let down. It is certainly OK but it ain't close to the original DisneyLand or DisneyWorld.

By eliminating Brussels and DL you can up your hotel budget just a tad.

But at very least, eliminate Brussels . . . 100% sure on that one!!

A took a chocolate tour of Paris a couple of years ago and it was wonderful.
I agree. Forget the train trip and enjoy the fine chocolates in Paris.

I disagree with the others. If the girls want to go to Disney Paris, go!

Save the train trip money and up your hotel budget.

I did a quick search on VRBO for March 22-29. Two Bedrooms only. Under $290 per night. First one up is this one: https://www.vrbo.com/1657167a It has its registration number on the site: 7510301901501
ANY apartment MUST show the registration number on the website.
Location is pretty good at the price as well.

All.....

1. Disney Paris is free
2. The trip to Belgium is so that can experience a train ride - it will be done, and to have the chance to claim they've been in 2 countries. May not be practical for some, but can be enjoyable for others. We are "others."
3. The budget is up to $150.00 USD per room - emphasis on per room

Near the Hotel Chopin, in the middle of the passage there is a confiserie/tea salon (Tea House Valentin) that might satisfy anyone's sweet tooth. If you do not know them, it will also introduce you to the passages of Paris.

You called on all Paris experts, but now you don't want to listen to any of our advice, so, OK...carry on.

Well I guess we can't help you very much . . .

>>The budget is up to $150.00 USD per room - emphasis on per room<<

I'm pretty sure (like 100% sure) we all understood that was per room. It is still a very modest budget.

DL being free would seem to indicate you (or their parents) work for Disney or an affiliated company - if so ticking DL Paris off a check list seems an even worse waste of time.

So, I still haven't received a reply to what I was originally inquiring. Short of the matter is: Which area...which arrondissement would be best to stay in. For those who are suggesting that I compromise on my trip to Disney and Belgium in exchange for a higher rate hotel, not going to happen. Disney and Belgium or definitely on the itinerary. Can I afford to pay $300 a night for a hotel? Of course, I can. However, I don't see why I should when it is a matter of sleeping and showering. But, my current task is which arrondissement to look to find a hotel that is convenient for traveling around Paris, to Belgium, and Versailles without too much fuss. Thank you,

How is Disney Paris free??????

Sorry you are not getting very good responses! Do you know what train station your train to Belgium departs from? But really, as long as you are more or less in central Paris, it should not be too difficult to get around. Usually Metro stations are close by any area. We liked the 7th, 6th also nice - lots of chocies in those areas. We used to stay at Hotel Muguet - it seemed like they had a few two bedrooms.

And booking train tickets ahead of time will make them much cheaper. I do think taking trains in Europe is alot of fun and will be a nice experience for the nieces.

>>Which area...which arrondissement would be best to stay in. <<

There is no 'best' area. For example suec1 recommends the 7th, whereas many people find the 7th dreary and far from best. I like the 4th or 5th, many others will avoid the 5h and recommend the 6th or 8th or 1st or one of the outer arr.

So pick one . . .

OK train to Brussels - book tickets as early as possible at www.thalys.com - high-speed train going up to around 180 mph on many stretches. Boking months early can yeld fares as low as about 29 euros I think or in the ballpark p.p. - full fare is much much higher. You can pick your seats when booking your own tickets online - www.seat61.com has loads on doing that - general info trains like 1st v 2nd class also BETS-European Rail Experts and www.ricksteves.com. No it's not all that scenic - though to me anywhere in France is kind of scenic to Americans - especially the many villages all topped by churches dotting the landscape. Unfortunately this is an industrial area and slag heaps also dot the landscape. But riding that 'bullet' train will be awesome, for about 5 minutes!

You arrive in Brussels at Gare du Midi (a k a Zuid or South Station) - which is a bit out of the center. Just buy tickets there for the commuter train to Brussels Central station - just a few kilometres away and a short walk from the two famous attractions of Brussels - the Grand' Place- Europe's drawing room as this huge serene town square is called.

And then the iconic Brussels attraction - the famous Mannequin Pis statue - is nearby.

Otherwise stroll around the Royal Palace gardens or hit the main shopping street - there is also a Latin Quarter of sorts full of restaurants.

Discounted train tickets are not changeable nor refundable I believe so leave plenty of time for our return train - which takes about 75 minutes to get back to Paris.

And last I knew there was a major Belgian chocolate emporium opposite Gare du Midi..

Try these hotels. Centrally located with access to transportation and I think they will be in your budget. You do not state the age of your nieces but remember that hotels usually have rules about minor children staying in a room alone. Not sure about Hotel Diana but Hotel Marignan has triple rooms.

Hotel Diana
https://hotel-diana-paris.com/en/

Hotel Marignan
https://www.hotel-marignan.com/

Disney is free ...both parks because my sister is a Disneyland employee in Anaheim, CA. One of the nieces going with me was also a Disney employee years ago. Hence, she wants to visit.

Thank you suec1... seriously thank you. I appreciate the information and will make some inquiries and research

Thankyou Palen. I really appreciate the valuable information that you've provided. I will purchase my train tickets now, as to get the best rate and good seats.

I have no criticism about either going to Disneyland or Brussels. There are really a lot of judgmental busybodies on this site sometimes. Brussels is an excellent counterpoint to Paris and taking the Brussels metro will really make you understand how simple the Paris metro is in comparison.

The areas in Paris with the most hotels and the 9th and 10th arrondissements, which are still quite central with dozens of metro stations. These areas are preferred by most European tourists, who don't have the same budget as the North Americans, the Chinese or the Brazilians. Two areas extremely dense with hotels are the Faubourg Montmartre area (which is not in Montmartre) but near metro stations Bonne Nouvelle and Grands Boulevards. Another nice area, which you might find convenient since you are going to Brussels, is the Gare du Nord area. Gare du Nord is the largest and busiest train station in Europe and also the departure point for Brussels. It also has hotels in every price range. You won't find it recommended much on the (mostly) American message boards, but that is mostly out of ignorance or totally outdated experiences from years ago.

If that's the case, as kerouac also points out: staying near Gare du Nord is a good bet. Loads of transport options within Paris (buses!) RER access for Versaille, easy trains to Brussels.

For once, I agree with you Kerouac. I'm not a fan of Disney either but how can you make a blanket statement that "Disney Paris is a huge waste of time and money"!!! That's pretty sweeping. I visited there on a one day excursion from Paris (for a couple of children in the group) and while it was not my idea of how to spend a day, it was certainly not a huge waste of time and money. Overall, I would say that it was a pretty good value. It was actually quite an inexpensive day trip and without a lot of down time in travel. Also, not everyone is obsessed with money and costs. Just because the OP has a modest hotel budget, it doesn't mean that she wants to go cheap on everything.

I get that we all have different levels of communication skills but this kind of exaggerated and sweeping language is not helpful. For someone who seems to reject much of what is viewed as typically American, you certainly have not rejected the American habit of exaggeration and sensationalised language. Might as well say "Disney Paris is like literally the hugest waste of money in the whole wide world". I don't want to be unfairly critical but it would help to sharpen up how you communicate.

I also have no idea why you're asking if the nieces have expertise in the difference among chocolatiers. That's just a weird way of looking at someone who wants to experience a little chocolate on their holiday. Chocolate is not my thing but come on... I once did a little chocolate experience thing and while it wasn't my preferred thing, I did learn a thing or two. It required no "expertise" and had no pre-requisites or certifications needed to participate or to get value out of it. It didn't seem like any of the other participants were certified master chocolatiers (if that's even a thing) either.

I think Brussels is the ugliest city in Europe, however...

What kind of person are you?

If you were to be bougie ie bourgeois, the kind of woman who spends $600+ on a handbag and cares greatly about her looks, you probably would like the 6th or 1st arrondissements.

Montmartre is for the artsy-fartsy, romantic type, the type who likes to buy inexpensive straw hats and cotton scarves at a kiosk near Sacré-Coeur and would not spend more than 2€ on a coffee at a cafe (would not be caught dead at Cafe Nemours).

The Marais is very gay, lots of expensive boutiques and chic cafes.

The 7th arrondissement is also bougie, but you don't see the street theatre and fashion parade like you do along the Blvd St Germain in the 6th or along the Rue St Honore in the 1st.

The 5th arrondissement is full of students and if you are an old lady you aren't going to like looking at the flawless skin of the young Parisian woman. You will be so jealous.

Just my 2 sous.

Thin💃

And then there are those like me who find Brussels severely under rated. Magnificent art museums and examples of Art Nouveau. And yes, on day trips from Paris, I even bought chocolates, sacks of seconds from Leonidas (my favorite brand) to bring back to Paris. And you can't miss a trip without having mussels in Brussels accompanied by a delicious Belgian beer. All varieties are recommended

I almost agree, even if I have not seen all of the cities of Europe. Much of Brussels is incredibly ugly (lots of war damage and lots of construction in the 60s, 70s and 80s with absolutely no consideration for aesthetics) but there are some fabulously beautiful nuggets like the Grand-Place and I will even dare to say the Atomium. But I keep returning to Brussels because the people are so adorable and the whole country does not take itself seriously (so refreshing compared to so many of our other countries). That gives it LOTS if bonus points in my opinion.

I've done a day trip to Brussels and enjoyed it, and also think what you want to do on your vacation is no one else's business. A lot of people like Disney and have fun with their kids there, and you have free entry anyway. And it's a value statement to say you should prioritize rooms more than experiences, a value which not everyone shares.

10th arr is a good idea.

I don't stay on the RB too often, I think some hotels in the 12th might work for you, but this is a nice modest hotel near the area I do usually stay and it has rooms for 68 euro without private bathroom and 95 euro WITH. So that is in your budget. This is a very nice area and it isn't far from the Gobelins metro stop. That maybe isn't the best for getting to RER A easily or Gare du Nord, but you can do it.

Hotel Port Royal.
Tarifs

Now I do know a few good budget choices over in the 11th/12th but they seem to be more like 150 euro, which is over your budget but FWIW, here they are

https://hoteljeannedarc.com/en/overview.html

Hotel Daval ** | Hotel Bastille Paris | Rooms

So those would be closer to Gare du Nord and RERA.

The stated purpose of taking train to Brussels was to experience European trains and see another country. But ever think about the 2-hr trip Paris to London and back (2 more hours) for the day? www.eurostar.com for those trains.

Much of Brussels is incredibly ugly (lots of war damage

If there was, it's not easy to find. My impression is that Brussels is not particularly ugly and has lots of Art Nouveau residences. Here are some more striking examples:

But a lot of the old housing is plain without being ugly, and is often very nice on the inside:

As to post-war construction, a lot may be attributed to the fact that Brussels is the administrative capital of the EU.

Yes if you have a few days you can ferret out those Art Nouveau areas but most only see the Grand' Place area and though the Grand' Place is exquisite much of central Brussels is very modern - not sure why as I do not think much war damage. Anyway has to be at least IMO the least comely of any European capital city though Madrid may give it a run for that.

I was thrilled when they finally tore down the Martini tower at Place Rogier.

I enjoy the Hotel Soft, inexpensive, clean & updated, kind staff, nice neighborhood on a quiet street near Canal Saint-Martin, walking distance to Gare du Nord for your Brussels excursion:
https://www.hotelsoftparis.com

Nothing wrong with very modern if it is well done.

You could try Cosmos Hotel too.
https://www.cosmos-hotel-paris.com/fr,1,6436.html