Hello. I've been gathering loads of useful information from this forum for a couple of months now and hope I can get some advice. Our travel agent in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, has recommended the Kyriad Paris Nation Hotel for our trip in April-May next year. The Thompsons Tour brochure we were given says it is a two-star hotel, metro Reuilly Diderot and is within walking distance of Nation and Place de la Bastille. I've been unable to find any information on this hotel on tripadvisor or Fodors.com. Can anyone help with advice about this hotel? Is it possibly known under another name? Eight SA rands tranlates to one euro, so we are looking for something cheap and cheerful in a safe area. Hope you guys can help. Thanks. Lisa.

That isn't really the closest metro stop to that hotel, it is quite near Faidherbe Chaligny metro stop. It is within walking distance of Nation, but that is nothing of advantage to a tourist.

It looks to me like a very ordinary modern 2* chain hotel. There are many like this in Paris in much better and more convenient areas. That hotel used to be the Climat, actually. I don't believe you quoted the price you would pay at that hotel, perhaps I missed it, so I don't understand the 8 rands to one euro reference. You have to state your budget for best advice.

Hello. Sorry about the confusion. I used the eight to one reference as an indication of the weakness of the rand to the euro. I think we were quoted about R560 which I think is about 75 euros. If this hotel doesn't have much to recommend it, can anyone offer any other suggestions? Thanks. Lisa.

If you don't need air conditioning, and I doubt this hotel has it anyway, there are innumerable cheaper options that are closer in. Try http://www.hrs.de and http://www.accorhotels.com .

I don't know the specific property, but from "looking around" on www.lespagesjaunes.fr and knowing what I do of the vicinity, I'm thinking you may be able to do a little better, in terms of location and the ambiance of the immediate neighborhood. Here's one that is closer to Place de la Nation that I've used a number of times:

http://www.grand-hotel-francais.fr/english/accueil.html

It would be reasonable to e-mail GHF and propose a rate that takes advantage of some of the special offers that the website mentions. (It's true that Place de la Nation is not a tourist area, but there are advantages to that, too.)

If you want something that is BASIC, but in an interesting neighborhood nearby and falls in the same price range as the Kyriad Paris Nation Hotel, you could take a look at the Ibis Republique. I checked that one out a couple of months ago and visited with the staff because someone else here was curious about it. Here are my notes:

Ibis Paris Republique
Address: 9 rue Leon Jouhaux, Paris
Telephone: 01.42.40.40.50
Accommodation Type: Moderate

"The Ibis Paris Republique is housed in a recently restored 1900 or so building that's less than a block off the very lively and active Republique Square. It fits in well with the character of the neighborhood, which is decent.

Size-wise, the rooms aren't any smaller than what is typical of many two-star properties in Paris and they may even be a touch larger than some. There are triples available. Many rooms have a full bath, though some have showers. The hotel is fully air conditioned and the staff was helpful, friendly and spoke excellent English when we visited.

There is nothing particularly creative about the interior decorating when it comes to the guest rooms -- (they're fond of white paint) -- but there was a large framed print on the wall of the guest room. Furnishings are functional and basic. Use the spiral staircase, if you're on a lower floor but for higher treks, there is an elevator. The Ibis has a 24-hour front desk. Doors are keyed (not card) and the desk operator buzzes people in from the street. There is a small snack/coffee/bar next to the front desk in the small reception area.

A breakfast buffet (six Euros) is served in the lower level. The breakfast rooms are attractive and it's a very good price, when you compare it to the alternative of going out for coffee and something to eat in the morning. It's also convenient and may provide you with the opportunity to meet some of the other guests.

The neighborhood itself has a lot of nearby amenities -- brasseries, boulangeries, etc. There is also some higher end shopping. It's a short walk to Canal St. Martin; there is great metro access from the Republique metro stop; guests are close to the night life of Rue Oberkampf, etc. Overall, we give the Ibis Paris Republique high marks for value in this up-and-coming area of the 10th Arrondissement. It's a great choice for budget travelers."

(Ibis hotels are E-Z to book online through the group's website).

I'll leave it at that because you're going to get a ton of good suggestions!

P.S. -- WillTravel's post of the Accor website is where you can book Ibis! (And WillTravel, I think you may have been the one who originally asked about the Ibis Republique.)

I did, Flyboy .

Hello all and thanks so much to everyone for all the great advice. I've been doing some more research, guide books, over the weekend. Having never been to Paris it's a little tricky to decide on something that is: clean, safe, reasonably priced and not miles away from everywhere - although I've read how useful and efficient the metro is. Also, once you discover the vast number of hotels in Paris, it's pretty overwhelming. So thanks again, I will follow up on all the advice and also read up on previous threads dealing with Paris hotels.
Lisa.