Tulips

Quitagg, anywhere within the Circle Line in London would be fine. You can find hotels for 75 pounds/night, but it will not easy to find a good one. It's a very busy time. Try Paddington or Earls Court; good transport options and lots of cheap hotels. Easy Hotel Paddington or Earls Court perhaps. Very basic, but convenient for the underground.

Don't know if you're in London during Christmas, but there's no public transport on Christmas day and many sites are closed.

quokka

For Copenhagen your budget is also totally unrealistic. Hotel prices there are horrendous. And you won't want to be in hostel dorm among drunk strangers who return at 3 or 4 a.m. from their NYE parties.

quitagg

LOL!!!!

Maybe this is something you guys can learn from me!! You do not have to pay tons of dollars for hotels unless you only do 5 star hotels... I don't know where y'all book y'all hotels but if you book directly on their website that is a definite NO NO!! Do yourself a favor and check out lmtclub.com and if you live in the US try booking through Sam's Travel if you own a Sam's Club card.. I have been using it for years.. (Sam's travel is newer) I had one mishap, a hotel rejected my reservation because they said the price I paid was too low in San Antonio one time, so the company booked me in another hotel close by that was amazing.. (Way better than the one I booked) that is the only time something has ever happened..

FYI I'm not staying in any hostels nor am I doing a shared bathroom..

So my point is don't concentrate on my budget so much because obviously we book hotels differently.. And yes I know Copenhagen is a lot more expensive so I will spend more money there.. So just tell me areas and let me do the research.. FYI I have gotten NYC hotels cheap all the time lol.. And these are good hotels.. I do all sorts of hotel chains.. And I don't think I've ever had a single horrible experience at a hotel before.. But 8.5 times out of 10 I always find a deal with hotels.. So next time you are looking for a hotel let me know, I can probably help.. Especially if you are in the US..

Sooo moving on...

London- paddinginton, earls court
Paris - Latin Quarter
This is what I've read so far I believe..

bvlenci

We stayed in this hotel in Paris, which would be within your budget if you share a bath. Otherwise it would be over. The hotel was very clean and comfortable, with helpful staff. It's in a lovely neighborhood, an easy walk from the Luxembourg Gardens, and we walked to Notre Dame from there as well. The rooms with shared bath had a sink in the room.

http://www.port-royal-hotel.fr

I would be very suspicious of a hotel in New York that costs $100 a night. The Westside Y has bunk rooms with shared bath for $135 a night. For cheap lodging in New York, you really can't do better than that. I've stayed there several times. Most of the other guests are students, from all over the world.

I've never managed to find a hotel in London in your price range. You might try the Earl's Court area. I use www.booking.com to find budget lodging. You can enter a specific neighborhood as your destination. Then you can sort the list by price. Avoid places with a guest rating under about 7.5, or with only a few guest reviews. Read those guest reviews carefully.

I don't see the big problem with staying in hostels with young children, or with shared baths. A six-year-old child is not an infant. I traveled extensively with my children in Europe, and we usually stayed in hostels or dormitories. You need to make sure it's not a wild-party hostel, of course.

bvlenci

Going back to another topic, we used to travel with backpacks, but we find it much easier to use rolling bags, now that they come with good wheels. It's very hard to carry enough winter clothing for two weeks, even if you wear and things multiple times, as you should. With the amount of moving around you've planned, doing laundry would really cut into your time, and hand wash may not dry in time for your next change of hotel.

I prefer the old two-wheeled suitcases instead of "wheelies" if we'll be using public transportation. The wheelies have a habit of rolling away from you, if you don't hold on to them at all times.

quitagg

I don't really feel comfortable doing that.. The trains was one thing.. Now if I had no choice then maybe a shared bathroom..

As far as NYC that would not be my first time staying in hotels for cheap.. I don't find hiltons, doubletree etc sketchy in NYC.. I've never stayed at a local type of hotel before tho, usually a chain.. Stayed in doubletree in Manhattan in March for 80 bucks a night.. On other websites it was like 130..

marvelousmouse

I can believe that in March. That's low season, usually. It's just that I don't believe it that close to Christmas. (And that's still over your 75 dollar budget, so your budget must be more flexible than it seems).

Shared baths in a lodging are much much more safe than your train idea, so I don't really understand why you would do the train but not other.

Oh well. In terms of location, figure out where you'll spend most of your time in each city, and then stay near there. Make sure that the hotel's neighborhood has food places nearby- that way at night, when you kid is tired, you don't have to go far after dinner. And on the holidays I'd stay very centrally in case there isn't much transit operating.

janisj

>>You do not have to pay tons of dollars for hotels unless you only do 5 star hotels…<<

No one is suggestion 5 star hotels -- most decent 2 stars will cost more than your budget. As for a $100 hotel in Manhattan unless it is someplace like the Pennsylvania - which is one of the worst rated New York hotels on TA w/ 3 X more 'Terrible' than 'Excellent', or the Edison which is better -- but even via Sam's Club both are more expensive over the Holidays.

quitagg

I wish I could screenshot... I would never stay at Pennsylvania because it is 2.5 stars on tripadvisor.. So here goes an example I just looked.. Ameritania hotel 105 on site I use and 219 on other sites like Expedia/Orbitz Etc for the same exact day.. So when u say u would be sketchy for a hotel that cost 100.. Would u be sketchy for that one cuz it's so cheap.. 4.5 star on Tripadvisor.. There are lots of others in the 90's but that one had one of the biggest discounts the others are like 20-60 disc.. When it comes to US hotels I know exactly what I'm talking about.. Now Europe a little different cuz I can't tell if an area is good or not..

As far as train situation hard to explain.. Lol I've just not built up the courage for hostel but just depends..

Sally30

Good luck on your trip. What an amazing experience for your daughter!

I have two girls - 5 and 9 - and my husband and I have been traveling with them in Europe since they were babies. One word of advice that I have learned - kids get very worn out traveling between the mental stimulation and all the walking. Even very high energy kids. It can be frustrating to want to do a lot and have your child peter out but there isn't much you can do about it.

So we have had success in choosing to do either an early trip or a late trip (e.g., get out early and back early or sleep in/relax and stay out later). you can don't do both. For the winter given daylight and weather, it might be better to do an early trip (although in Europe from Boston we have always done later because it worked better with the girls' body clock and jetlag). If you do choose an early trip, I would be back at the hotel early (like 5 or 6 if you are out by 9am) and just let your daughter relax. You can grab a dinner while you are out or bring something back.

Despite enjoying new surroundings, my kids always crave some routine/comfort which they create where ever we are by "setting up" their digs with a favorite stuffed animal or blanket. I know your are traveling light but i'd let her bring a favorite stuffed animal, some cozy PJs and a favorite book (kindle if she's reading) or tv show (downloaded on ipad). These small comforts are a great way for her to relax at the end of the day and recharge so she can head out refreshed the following day. It can be a bit boring missing out on the city in the evening but, in my opinion, it is worth it if it means your daughter feels well rested and isn't grumpy the rest of the time. I found the mornings we stayed in to let the kids rest a good time to do laundry, plan our days, get organized, etc.

Can't wait to hear about it when you get back.

Christina

okay for NYC, I think we are getting offtrack. IN all big cities, hotel rtes vary enormously based on the date and when you book. I just stayed in NYC for 1 night over Cols Day weekend and tried to book weeks ahead of time and the Doubletree in TS and similar hotels were charging over $400 a night! I htink over $500, actually. I was shocked. I finally got my usual budget Applecore for $275 a relative bargain but at some times of year, it is really not possible to get one there for $100 (never that I've seen).

Paris has more reasonably priced hotels than NYC for what you get and you can get something for that, just not grand. The Christmas/NY eve period is the most expensive time of year there for hotels, though.

These are the cheapest ones I know in the Latin Qtr/St Germain (aside from 1* Port Royal mentioned above). I'm not clear on your dates anymore, so I checked 12/27:
http://commerceparishotel.com/
They have a twin room for only 70 euro that is a fantastic location for that rate.

http://www.hotel-collegedefrance.com/en/
they have doubles for 94 euro

http://www.saintpierre-hotel.com/en/chambres.php
they have doubles for 109 euro

Christina

I found some more
The Familia is only 92 euro, great location and hotel
http://www.familiahotel.com/

The Gay Lussac is 100 euro or less
http://www.hotelgaylussac.com/en/

Some of the IBis also may be.

Of course you can get something that cheap far out, but at that time of year, I would definitely balance location versus price.

quitagg

Wow 275 lol.. I'm kind of cheap.. That's why I get to do so much.. If I had that budget per night I could stay anywhere.. Lol

Paris is a lot more affordable than NYC I can agree with that.. All I can say is if u are ever looking for a hotel in the US hit me up and I can see if I can find a deal.. I love looking for travel deals, it is kind of like my hobby.. This site has allowed me to do so much and stay in hotels not a full price.. They even let u get refunds.. The best part.. And I just decided as we have been talking that it is smarter for us to stay in financial district so we can walk to battery park and leave our bags at the hotel.. So change in plans.. Lol.. I found a hotel for $91 4 star on tripadvisor Jan 2nd. I found some London hotels for 75-80 bucks in paddington..

Next I need Paris.. Then will move towards Amsterdam and Copenhagen

quitagg

Going to look at those Paris hotels

bvlenci

I'm curious to know what hotel booking site you use, Quittag.

I'm also eagerly awaiting a trip report when you get back.

CaliGurl

bvlenci-she indicated earlier that she uses a Third party booking site called LMTclub.com, a members only travel club that has annual membership fees and all kinds of other fees.

Quitagg-my only concern would be sleeping on a train while my child is sleeping. I think I would need to handcuff her to me if I wanted to close my eyes and have my feet draped over our stuff. Like another poster mentioned, if you need to go to the bathroom any time on the train, while waiting for a train, that child and ALL your belongings go with you. I know you exercise caution and are aware of strangers for her safety and yours, in Europe there are people that may want to steal your stuff on top of all the other things you are aware of. This is why I think your smart to just stay in a few places so you can have your "stuff" safe in a hotel/apartment and focus on your child and the city your in.

janisj

If that is the Last Minute Travel (LMT) Club I'm familiar w/ it is a membership, blind-booking site and you don't know the actual property you got until a few days before traveling . . .

fuzzbucket

Most hostels have mixed reviews - depends on the expectations of the people who use them, usually for the first time.
I haven't stayed in MIJE, but I've been inside and have had many friends of all ages who've stayed here. It's fine.

Google Street View is your friend, if you're concerned about how far away a hotel is, or what the neighborhood is like. It's probably your most valuable tool.

quokka

Especially with such a rushed trip as yours, I would never do a blindbooking and risk staying at a hotel far out in the sticks. That would mean a lot of precious time wasted for transfers. But to each their own...

29FEB

Just looked at this thread because of the high number of replies, and may I add that while some acronyms are useful (no objection to DW, DH) some are confusing.

Does BF mean boyfriend or best friend?
Is SIL son-in-law or sister-in-law? Same with DS. Sister or son?