Eliza26

OK, my friendy fodorites. I couldn't make up my mind what to do in France after attending a friends wedding, but finally decided to spend our last days in Paris. I really want to stay in the Marais, although I have heard good things about the 6th. In the past, I stayed at the Grand Hotel Jeanne D'Arc, but it is booked. I'm looking for a double room for three nights--Oct. 2 through Oct. 5.
So here are some of my choices:

Hotel Castex 120 euros(they offered me the off season rate)

Hotel Pratic 105 euros (right around the corner from the Jeanne D'Arc, but no info. on trip advisor or elsewhere)

Hotel Saint Onge 115 euros (I know nothing about this place--can't even remember where I found the listing.

Hotels that I was interested in, but that are booked: Grand Hotel Balcons, Hotel Langlois, Beauborg, Caron de Beaumarchais, and of course, Grand Jeanne d'Arc.

OK, now $147 (the price of Castex) seems like a lot to spend, and I was really hoping to get away with only spending $100 to $125...but, I'll spend the extra $$, if you all think it's worth it, but I just wanted some second opinions. (Oh, and I'm not one of those people who thinks the hotel doesn't matter. I enjoy going back to the hotel in the middle of the day to take a little rest, and a clean comfortable hotel can really make your trip more enjoyable. I just don't have the cash to spend!) So, that said...if I do spend $147 on a hotel...is Castex the best bang for my buck, any other suggestions?

(Sorry for the wordy email...I do tend toward longish posts! Oh, and is anyone else having problems with the searching feature? It seems to miss things!) Thanks everyone!

Eliza26

Ohh! I posted too soon! The booking requests on the various sites that list the hotel showed that they were booked, but I emailed them anyway to double check and they have space! Yeah! At only 75 euros, I am very pleased!
Thank you all!

Eliza26

This is ridiculous! It was the wrong Jeanne d'Arc! Apparently there's one near the Panthéon. So, now I'm back to square one. Any responses on the first part of my question?

elaine

Down the street from the Grand Hotel des Balcons is the Hotel Delavigne.
I stayed there last winter. Absolutely charming and fresh, much spiffier than the Balcons, though with a lesser breakfast. Prices at the time were about 10-15 euros more than at the Balcons, but there was a world of difference. Rooms do vary in size, some were quite small, but that was also true at the Balcons. We moved there from the Balcons. No a/c.

Eliza26

Thanks for the suggestion Elaine. The online booking features says that they don't have any rooms available, but I emailed them just to be sure. Anyone have other suggestions or comments about my choices?
Hotel Castex or save $$ and go with Hotel Pratic?

AisleSeat

Try the Hotel Andrea www.hotelandrearivoli.com. It is a 2* on the edge of the Maurais.

Eliza26

Hi Aisle seat (my favorite too!),
I did contact Hotel Andrea and they do have availability--one room for 78 euros and one room for 98 euros...Ohhh, and Hotel Delavigne just got back to me--115 euros? Should I go for them? Yikes now I have too many choices!

solaplex

We stayed at Hotel De La Bretonnerie in the Marais district and found it delightful. That was several years ago, but I would go back again. I think it is a three star hotel.We enjoyed the "cave" in the basement for breakfast.

Christina

Given you really wanted a cheaper hotel and to stay in the Marais, I would probably choose the Andrea Rivoli, if I were you. It looks as good as the Jeanne d'Arc, if you were satisfied with that hotel, and it's certainly central so would be convenient. It's not exactly right in the Marais, of course, (I think around Hotel de Ville), but not far a walk.

I personally don't like the Marais that well and so I would choose the Delavigne for that reason and because it's nicer, but since you liked the Jeanne d'Arc, I'd think you'd choose the Andrea given the large price difference. Of course, a lot of the other hotels you were looking at weren't in the Marais, either.

Eliza26

Thanks Christina, I think I just needed someone else to lay it out for me. I just confirmed by reservation at Hotel Andrea. I think the price won out. I'm still a little nervous because I can't find very many reviews of the hotel....well, I'll post on my return!

Eliza26

So, Hotel Andrea wanted to offer me a triple room for 108 euros, so right now I've reserved a double at Hotel Delavigne for 115 euros. (It will be fun to stay in a new neighborhood!) But it anyone has comments about Hotel Pratic...I would appreciate hearing them.
Thank you!

Sue4

Elaine, I just looked at the Delavigne's website. It looks quite nice, and certainly is not expensive. Is the street noisy? I have stayed near there on Rue Monsieur le Prince near the Luxembourg Gardens, and the street was rather quiet. At the Delavigne, would a courtyard (or whatever they call it there!) be more preferable than the streetside (for quiet)? Anyway, that area is great. Also, did the room have a fridge? Thanks!