Calling Upon All Paris Experts
#21
Join Date: Apr 2013
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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/
Hotel Diana
https://hotel-diana-paris.com/en/
Hotel Marignan
https://www.hotel-marignan.com/
#22
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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.
#25
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won't find it recommended much on the (mostly) American message boards, but that is mostly out of ignorance or totally outdated experiences from years ago.
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.
Last edited by kerouac; Jan 30th, 2019 at 08:07 PM.
#26
Join Date: Aug 2003
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Hotel d'Argenson ? Hotel 2 etoiles ? Hotel Paris ? 8eme arrondissement ? Triangle d'Or ? Champs Elysees ? Opera ? Confortable ? Chaleureux ? Hotel
I stayed at this hotel several years ago and liked it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone recommend it but it’s a nice enough hotel in a decent location, not far from the grand department stores. It’s well within your budget and even includes breakfast delivered to your room each morning!
Not sure how old your nieces are, but I took my two nieces, then 18 and 21, and they loved Paris! Their favorite things included shopping, the Seine cruise at dusk, seeing the Eiffel Tower and touring the Opera house.
Have a great trip!
I stayed at this hotel several years ago and liked it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone recommend it but it’s a nice enough hotel in a decent location, not far from the grand department stores. It’s well within your budget and even includes breakfast delivered to your room each morning!
Not sure how old your nieces are, but I took my two nieces, then 18 and 21, and they loved Paris! Their favorite things included shopping, the Seine cruise at dusk, seeing the Eiffel Tower and touring the Opera house.
Have a great trip!
#27
Join Date: Jul 2004
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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,
#28
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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.
#29
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💃
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💃
#30
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#31
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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
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#33
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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.
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.
#34
Join Date: Jan 2007
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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.
#35
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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.
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.
Last edited by Michael; Jan 31st, 2019 at 12:39 PM.
#36
Join Date: Jan 2007
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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.
Last edited by PalenQ; Jan 31st, 2019 at 12:05 PM.
#38
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
https://www.hotelsoftparis.com
#40
You could try Cosmos Hotel too.
https://www.cosmos-hotel-paris.com/fr,1,6436.html
https://www.cosmos-hotel-paris.com/fr,1,6436.html