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First time Paris traveler looking for a hotel

First time Paris traveler looking for a hotel

Old Dec 27th, 2001, 05:32 AM
  #1  
Cindy
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First time Paris traveler looking for a hotel

My husband and I will be traveling to Paris this summer. We are excited, but abit wary of finding a hotel in a place where we do not know (We have traveled extensively in the UK, but always stayed in B&Bs which we loved, and finding one we loved was never a problem). We are looking for a hotel, reasonably priced (for us that means under $100 for a double), in a safe, quiet location, close to public transport. Is such a thing possible? Please pardon my naivete if the price is way too low. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
Old Dec 27th, 2001, 05:38 AM
  #2  
elaine
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Cindy
If you do a search on this message board for Paris hotel, you will find many suggestions, including some in your price range. Two helpful websites are
www.paris.org and www.hotelboulevard.com, and their hotel info includes comments from past guests.
Also, the reliable book by Gustafson
Cheap Sleeps in Paris (newer edition is called "Great Sleeps..." I think) is a good resource.
I also have a file on Paris; if you'd like to see it, email me.
 
Old Dec 27th, 2001, 06:08 AM
  #3  
pat
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We have stayed at the Grand Hotel L'Eveque on Rue Cler several times and have bee really pleased. We love the neighborhood and they are under $100. Check out the Rant and Raves section of this site for more about it. If you decide to stay there you will need to book fairly early as they fill up quickly.
 
Old Dec 27th, 2001, 06:23 AM
  #4  
Howard
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I suggest you go to your local library and get a copy of the March 2001 issue of National Geographic Traveler. It has a special section featuring 22 recommended hotels for $100 or less.
 
Old Dec 27th, 2001, 06:26 AM
  #5  
s.fowler
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You are getting good advice. My recommendation in that price range is Hotel La Motte Piquet on the corner of rue Cler. You do get street noise, but the rooms are charming -- only drawback is the small breakfast area -- but then rue Cler [and the Ecole Miltaire metro stop] are just out the door. If you do a search here for motte piquet you should get my previous reports. Doubles with bath are about $70 USD.
 
Old Dec 27th, 2001, 06:38 AM
  #6  
lisa
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Grand Hotel des Balcons is in my favorite location in Paris, in the 6th arrondisement near Blvd. St. Germain and the Luxembourg Gardens -- lots of cafes, restaurants, and shopping nearby, very close to 2 metro stops and the RER B line. Rates are well under $100 U.S. per night (my single was around $75). Rates don't include breakfast, but they serve an excellent one downstairs for about $8 per person more. All rooms have private bath & some have balconies. Decor is spartan but rooms are very clean and comfortable. Staff speaks English and is helpful. It is a 2-star. You can check out the website at www.balcons.com. Only drawback is there is no air conditioning, and since you are going in the summer I would think you might want that. There are other hotels in the same vicinity for a little more that do have A/C.
 
Old Dec 27th, 2001, 09:39 AM
  #7  
Alice
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We stayed at Hotel de Turenne in the 7th, a block or so from the Metro Ecole Militaire, and a couple of blocks from the Invalides. The hotel is 2-stars but is comfortable and clean, with a nice continental breakfast offered for additional charge in their breakfast room. We had a twin-bed room, bath, and two windows that opened out onto Avenue Tourville. The only night noise was from occasional traffic, which we got used to immediately. The hotel is not fancy and the rooms are typical smallish, but we would return here in the future; the price for the twin/double was about $80-85 US (whatever the web site indicates was current). The surrounding area includes an ATM, a laundromat (both just at the same corner), and some nice cafes / restaurants. Eiffel Tower is about 15 minute walk. We don’t look for a lot of evening activity so we liked the relative quiet of the area here. I made our reservations directly with the hotel by faxing my request and receiving confirmation back. The web site indicates A/C is available – we didn’t need it since we were there in April 2001. (don’t confuse it with the ‘Grand Turenne’ which is more expensive and located elsewhere).
http://www.france-hotel-guide.com/h75007turenneengl.html
 
Old Dec 27th, 2001, 01:41 PM
  #8  
Patty
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I would first choose the area in Paris I wanted to stay - then look for a hotel. Do you want to be central to everything, nightlife, museums - it depends on your interests. I used to stay in the 1st but it's quite business like and pretty dead at night. Last year I stayed in the 6th - St. Germain and loved the small twisting streets, the cafes and outdoor seating, etc. We walked to Notre Dame, Louvre and many other museums and places of interest. I found the area very central. Try the Millesime Hotel - our room was about $150 per night, but we needed two beds - which is most expensive. Also in the same area is the Le Regent on rue Dauphine - the rooms in the back are doubles with bath - about 750 francs - small but clean and charmingly decorated. Make sure your room has a window. It's a nice hotel. There are two Regent hotels - this is the one on rue Dauphine. There are many other choices in the same area. Buy a guide book, get a Paris map and have a ball.

Good luck
 
Old Jan 5th, 2002, 04:59 AM
  #9  
Olivia
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We stayed at the Hotel de Grandes Ecoles near Cardinal Lemoine metro stop in the 5th arr. 690 Francs for larger room overlooking courtyard (100 less for smaller room). Clean, quiet, helpful staff, great location.
 
Old Jan 5th, 2002, 08:04 AM
  #10  
Wendy
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Cindy, I like the Familia Hotel in the 5th (Latin Quarter). Easy walk to St. Germain, Notre Dame, etc. 2 close metro stops and about $75 a night.
http://www.france-hotel-guide.com/h7...miliahotel.htm
 
Old Jan 5th, 2002, 10:15 AM
  #11  
JJ
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Wendy
We'll be staying at the Familia in April. I have two questions, if I may. Is there a small refrigerator (my daughter needs to keep her meds refrigerated) and is there a laundry near by (I'd like to pack 1/2 as much and wash at least once while there). Thank you. Also, I read one comment that the walls are paper thin...???
 
Old Jan 5th, 2002, 10:29 AM
  #12  
Jennifer
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I've also stayed at the Familia. The metro Cardial Lemoine is just less then two blocks away. Across the street is an ATM machine and a post office. There is a small shop that sells fruit, magazines, candy, and a few sundries just a couple of doors away!

The room I stayed in (room 22) did have a refrigerator, but we never opened it because it was filled with (expensive) soda that they, of course, wanted you to buy. They also requested that you don't use it for your own food, but if you explained that you needed it for medication, I can't see how they would complain!

I didn't find the walls to be paper thin, but one thing surprised me -- the insulated balcony doors. I absolutely LOVED the balcony! It was tiny, but each morning, I was sit outside and apply my make-up and just enjoy the morning breeze. At night, it was so cool looking at the street with all its sights and sounds. The street is a bit noisy, but when we closed the balcony doors, I really was amazed. Very quiet!

I'm leaving again for Paris in March, and I'd glady stay at the Familia again except that I'm renting an apartment this time.

One thing I wouldn't do is to purchase their breakfast. It was only served during certain hours (which often didn't accommodate our schedule) but more important the price (for me) didn't justify a cup of tea and a couple of hard rolls.

As I understand it, though, it's a fairly popular hotel, so I'd make reservations asap! The price I had for a balcony room with two twins (it was one of the tiniest rooms at the hotel) was just about an even $100. However, rooms without balconies are less.

Bottom line: Very clean, safe, well-located, and quite reasonably priced!

Jennifer
 
Old Jan 5th, 2002, 10:35 AM
  #13  
Jennifer
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I forgot to mention the laundrette! The one we used was several blocks away, but considering how much walking we normally did, we didn't consider it far at all. I'm afraid I don't recall the name or the address, but if you stay at the Familia, undoubtedly, the staff could help you.

I think you're VERY wise to pack light. Every trip I take I pack less, and honestly, I never miss what I don't take. If you have a suitcase with "wheels" (HIGHLY recommended!), just stuff your laundry in the suitcase (I keep my dirty laundry inside a plastic garbage bag brought from home) and wheel the suitcase to the laundrette.

Believe it or not, I've met some of the most fascinating people in a laundrette! Nearly all of them were travelers, but we exchanged tips and had great conversations. So, as silly as it sounds, doing laundry was not only not a chore but actually a very enjoyable experience!

Jennifer
 
Old Jan 5th, 2002, 11:59 AM
  #14  
Wendy
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JJ, I absolutely agree with everything Jennifer posted in regards to the Familia. We were not able to get a room with a balcony as I did not book far enough in advance so get on the fax with them right away and request that!

Our room had a refrigerator that we filled with fruit and juice so your daughters meds should not be a problem.

The rooms are very small with limited closet space, hairdryers in the bathroom and you can ask for shower or bath. I also did not notice noice from the other rooms but I could hear traffic from the street.

I never purchase hotel breakfasts as I enjoy getting cafe and croissants from the cafes nearby!

Enjoy!
 
Old Jan 5th, 2002, 05:05 PM
  #15  
JJ
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Thank you so much for your responses about the Familia. My room is confirmed. Details: Twin-bedded room with shower and balcony, breakfast included (didn't seem to be optional) for 106 Euros. I, too, would rather go for pastries etc. for breakfast but that AM coffee first will be great. We can eat pastries and crepes all day long. We have also had great conversations with others at the laundromat. It's always been a positive experience. Thanks again. Last April we stayed at the Muguet near Rue Cler but wanted a different neighborhood this time. And we know to get the Card Orange for the metro and museum pass. Both a blessing.
 
Old Jan 6th, 2002, 08:57 AM
  #16  
Wendy
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Great news on your room! Just tell them when you check in that you don't want the breakfast, I think thats how I did it, and they won't charge you.

I highly recommend this site for geting your metro and museum pass:
http://www.conciergerie.com/main.htm

They will deliver the passes right to your hotel so you don't have to wait in any lines at all! I've used them before and the passes were at the Familia waiting when we arrived!
 
Old Jan 6th, 2002, 12:22 PM
  #17  
Kay
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A friend just returned from Paris and stayed at the Millesime. She said the room was beautifully decorated, but extremely small.
 
Old Feb 2nd, 2002, 05:11 PM
  #18  
maryanne
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I too stayed at The Familia, honeymoon 1998, and found it to be the quintessential Paris hotel. We had a balcony room and I still recall the view with great longing. FAbulous location. The breakfast was ok, from what I remember, cause they had chocolate croissants! The convenience of rolling out of bed and going downstairs for my first cup of coffee was worth it too. Have a wonderful time--hello to Eric at the front desk. The only drawback I see in the place is that plenty of Americans seem to know about it, but I'd gladly go backk there
 
Old Feb 12th, 2002, 03:24 PM
  #19  
Carla
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My sister and I were in Paris 2 years ago and stayed at the Hotel Etoile Friedland. It is an easy walk from the Arc de Triomphe in a quiet neighborhood and not very expensive. The room was small, but clean. Starched sheets every day. There was even a patisserie across the street for breakfasts.
 
Old Feb 12th, 2002, 11:30 PM
  #20  
topper
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