I can't believe how quickly this forum changes. 20 mins ago, before I went off to check on the dinner, I found a post about budget lodging in Paris. Can't find it again.

But fortunately wrote down the name of the poster I am seeking now, but not the hotel

Hotel Esmeralda, I think.

eks - if you are out there, could you confirm hotel name and - do you have an address/phone number? Any good for a single?

Cheers.

yes, Hotel Esmeralda. 4, rue St. Julian Le Pauvre. Fantastic location with some (fairly spacious) rooms facing Notre Dame. A bit shabby...maybe you would call it funky. I stayed here a couple of times for as long as a few weeks at a time in the 80s. Interesting case of characters. I don't know about singles and I doubt if they have a web site but give it a try..

phone. 01-43-54-19-20

Rooms vary a lot...some with baths and some without..different views, etc.

Well, normally I find ekscrunchy's advice to be spot on, but I must say this is the very worst hotel I ever had to deal with, on every level, in my entire traveling life.

OK, it was also back in the late 80s, but man, I've never encountered such a vile combination of filth and hostility anywhere!

oh gosh...maybe the fog of memory has erased the images of the dirt balls and grumpy hosts....as I said, it was kind of "funky!" There were lots of those types of hotels back then...bath in the hall, cranky front desk people, broken down furniture.. The others I spent weeks at were the Vieux Paris on Rue Git le Couer and the Hotel Stella in the 5th..wonder if those are still around! The Stella especially was a true dive! But they certainly were cheap! Probably redone and renamed by now..


But all bets are off now since it is more than 20 years since I have been inside any of these... I heard they were remodeling anyway so the prices will surely be ramped up!!

Thanks, St. Cirq..you are one of the true "gurus" here!

You can see your posts by clicking on your name, or use this link:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...mani&fid=2

There can be different opinions or standards about a lot of hotels, and this hotel has quite a few reviews on Tripadvisor and about half the folks seem to think it's fine. It used to be kind of popular about 20-30 years ago from guides like Frommer's etc.

I thought it might be closed as I haven't heard of it in a while, but it's not, as you can see on Tripadvisor. Here is a fairly comprehensive review on www.eurocheapo.com, also
http://www.eurocheapo.com/paris/hote...esmeralda.html


I like that website, and they will have some nearby alternates to look up also. Now I wouldn't stay in this hotel, either, and some comments are things to be wary of regarding the mgt (someone on tripadvisor says they double-charged for the first night and they never got a refund, so be careful about the CC use), but it could suit folks looking for something funky near Notre Dame at a very cheap price. And who doesn't expect a lot for that rate.

Timeout guide to Paris also still mentioned this hotel, and I like their reviews, in general. They don't list hotels they don't recommend in some way. Eurocheapo has contact info. They don't have email, though, it appears (nor a website, of course).

I have a travel agent friend who ADORES the Esmeralda, particularly the room up in the "garret". Take the lift only so far then you walk two flights.
Anyway, she used the words "could use some updating".
I have another friend who travels on a budget and they like Hotel Les Argonautes in the latin quarter.
Christine's website links to that too.

ekscrunchy: The Vieux Paris is still around and reincarnated into the Relais
Hotel du Vieux Paris - 4* and a member of the Hotels des Charmes.

A far, far cry from when I stayed there in the 1960's - then it was the
'Beat Hotel' LOL!

Wow!! The old Vieux Paris now a 4-star! Thanks for posting that..I have to walk by there next time I am in the city. I still remember the woman at the desk; she gave me some fashion advice..told me the French women buy only one or two new outfits a year and wear them often..things like that..oh, lots of memories from that hotel!! Thanks again!