Grand Hotel St. Michel (rue Cujas, Paris)
 

I have not been able to find much about this hotel other than a few posts re: a triple room. Nothing helpful and one comment on tripadvisor.com.

I'd like some infomation if anyone has stayed in any of the double/twin rooms. Are they well-maintained, comfortable? I requested a 5th or 6th floor Pantheon view room but it's not guaranteed.

My aunt's first trip to Paris in Feb. and she is treating for the airfare so I'm picking up the hotel cost. Lots of nicer places (more expensive too)in the 6th dist. but settled for Grand Hotel St. Michel because they're offering a good rate for the season.

Hope I made a good choice...

Thanks in advance!

SOrry, I can't help with the double, we had a quad. It was well-maintained. The room itself (we had a suite) was a bit cramped and we had an inside room facing a courtyard (no view). It was very quiet and the roomsize didn't really concern us much. We also liked the breakfast buffet they offered (not included with room).

Thank you MFNYC. I guess the dbl. should be okay.

Maybe you can request a room with a view (there are lots more choices of double than family suites). Also, as some people here recommend, ask to see the room first before taking it. I don't know about this hotel bu many have rooms of varying size.

I met two friends in Paris, after flying up from Nice, back in February 1995 and this is the hotel we stayed at since one of them found a great deal on a triple room. Nothing exceptional, but the room was clean and well-maintained, with comfortable beds and, although our room faced rue Cujas, it was far enough away from Boulevard St.Michel that I don't recall any traffic noise from the Boulevard. (As you alluded to you can get nicer places, but you're also going to pay for them.)

On a return trip, I stopped by to look at the hotel and it appeared to -- at least in the public areas -- have undergone a makeover.

It's a good location, just a short distance from the Place Edmond Rostand entrance to the Luxembourg Gardens (and the Gardens' beautiful and contemplative Medici Fountain.) And, for what it's worth, you've got a post office almost right next door. Hope you enjoy your stay!

Hi Capo, thanks, I know my aunt (and myself) is looking forward to this trip and thanks for the great observations. I believe the hotel did undergo a renovation a few years ago. I hope my request for a view room will be granted.

I checked Hotel Le Regent but they want 192 euro/night plus another 11 euro/pp for breakfast. Le St. Beuve, Abbaye, St. Gregoire are costing too much and have gotten mixed reviews (the latter 2 hotels only). I checked Deux Continents-reasonable enough but not cheap-but it's gotten mixed reviews on tripadvisor.com lately!

Anyway, the location of GH St. Michel is great and I read the buffet b'fasts are really good.

Next summer I go return with my own family to stay at Relais du Louvre so looking forward to that too.

You're welcome. The buffet breakfast must be new as we just had a continental breakfast (good and fairly-priced.)

By the way, I'd highly recommend a visit to the nearby St.-Etienne-du-Mont church, near the Pantheon.

Okay, thanks again. Do you have other suggestions to visit nearby-my aunt, sorry to say, does not like too many museums. Thanks!

And of course-will it be very cold in February for walking around the 5th & 6th dists.? I've been there in fall and spring only.

I hate to say this francophile, but it would take a lot to entice me to Paris in February again. That time we were there it was damp/drizzly & chilly for four out of our five days (the three of us chose to go then because we got a fantastic deal on airfare.) So yes, expect it to be at least somewhat cold.

As for other nearby non-museum places to visit, I'd recommend the rue Mouffetard street market. And if you like Roman ruins, you might want to pay a visit to the Arenes du Lutece, mentioned on this travelogue website I just found (look under "Saturday, 15 June"; they also mention visiting St. Etienne du Mont.)

Ooops, forgot the website for that travelogue...

"Where we went in Paris"

http://www.witzels.org/frogtrip.php

I haven't stayed there but have always admired this hotel from the outside, as it is quite attractive. The lobby area is somewhat visible from the street and it looks very nice and stylish. I always thought I'd stay there if I wanted to be in that area as it appears one of the nicest hotels around there at that price. It is about a block from bd St-Michel so doesn't have that traffic and noise. You aren't going to get much of a view in that location from any room as it's on the corner of two small, narrow streets -- however, the view shouldn't be unattractive, it's a lot better than many views I've had of air shafts, walls, etc. I don't think they'd have very many rooms with views of the Pantheon from its location.

There was a post on a similar subject with suggestions of sightseeing in that area, I forget who started it but it was about walking from Notre Dame to the Pantheon. search on "etienne" in France.

We were there in March '00, after the renovation. I believe before the renovation it was 2*, and bumped to 3* afterwards. The "buffet" breakfast wasn't a full blown american style breakfast, but they did have a decent spread and the coffee was great. We found some restaurants within a block or 2, on small side streets, that were very good and very reasonable for dinner.

Sorry to inform everyone but I have canceled my reservation at GH St. Michel. Yes, after all the favorable comments that were given yesterday.

As I mentioned I was quoted a good rate that was 30 euro less than the normal rate per the original email from "Marie" who I believed to be the manager.

After I sent my c/c information "Marie" confirmed my reservation-just a simple phrase no detail of rate or bedding, etc. It appears because my email I sent with the c/c info. had already mentioned everything, she did not bother. I attached all email corrrespondences also.

Then a few hours later I got an email from "Marie" saying the rate would be the higher rate. Plus she sent the whole email correspondence trail

to continue:
except the original email was purposely deleted where she mentioned the lower rate.

I did not like what's going on so I sent a cancellation notice. Today I received another email saying I could keep the room at the lower rate since that's what they did quote me or I could go ahead and cancel it. It was signed by a "Majid" who said that he or she was the one who quoted the lower rate to me. All along I thought I was corresponding with "Marie" so I really don't know who I was really corresponding with nor do I care for this type of practice.

I'm thinking of just splurging for a more well-known hotel like Le Fleurie or the Brighton for a change.

I am pretty disappointed that some hotels can pull these things.