angeline

Hi Everyone!
I can stay at le Regent for 168e per night in a superior room or at the Saint-Germain for 150e per night with one free night in a run-of-the-house room. Does anyone have an opinion about which one is better?
Thanks in advance.

Underhill

Depends on whether you want to take a chance on the type of room you would get at the St-Germain.

angeline

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paula1470

We stayed at Saint Germain des Pres last summer and loved the hotel. It is not reviewed much but we were very happy there. We stayed in the standard room and while it was small, it wasn't that bad. If you look at their website and click on rooms, go to the last page where there are three rooms. These are more like the standard rooms. The red one is like the one we stayed in. The built in closets on each side of the bed had room to hang some clothes and put your suitcase if you emptied it which I did. I was sharing a room with my friend and she just put her suitcase on the desk. The beds are two twins pushed together which worked out fine for us. The front window opened out onto Rue Bonaparte which has traffic during the day but is quiet at night. The airconditioning worked fine and there was plenty of counterspace in the bathroom. They do not have shower curtains or doors but many hotels do not.

The thing we liked best about this hotel was the location and the staff. The staff was so nice we brought them flowers at the end of the trip as a thank you. Les Deux Maggot and Cafe Flore are right there and also Cafe Bonaparte. Lauduree (sp?) is a block away. We were also able to walk over to Rue Bucci in a couple of minutes and we spent lots of time there.

My friends just came back from Paris and stayed at Le Regent based on my recommendation from this forum. St. Germain des Pres was full. They had a deluxe room and said it was great. They also loved their location. Althugh they said the staff was nice, it doesn't sound like they were as outstanding as at Hotel St. Germain des pres.

It's really a toss up. As underhill said, I would check to see what kind of room you are getting. If budget is important and you can get the free night, I would take it. Otherwise, I think the deal at Le Regent is a good one for a deluxe room. If you have any more questions, let me know.

Margaretlb

My husband and I stayed at the Hotel St-Germaine in October 2003 for 2 nights. We were on the top floor (not the very top as that floor you have to walk up a flight of stairs)and the room was pretty large. Two windows onto rue Bonoparte, nice renovated bathroom with good hot water. I've slept on worse beds. Room was kind of dark but for the two nights it was better than fine. I wouldn't do a long stay at this hotel, though (because of the bed and low light). Continental breakfast was very good - my husband still claims they have the best croissants ever (he's tasted many in our 5 trips to Paris)- fresh squeezed OJ for E4. Fantastic location. We satyed here after 12 nights at the Paris Hilton - I refused to go home on a Friday when I could stay another weekend so we staryed here for our final two nights. Absolutely a fun, wonderful location!

sandi_travelnut

We loved Hotel Saint Germain on Rue du Bac.

angeline

Thank you all so much for your kind responses. Paula, your knowledge of the two hotels was especially helpful. I still haven't made up my mind, but when I do, I'll let you know the outcome.
If anyone has any other info, I sure would appreciate it.

francophile03

Both hotels are well-located. I have read many nice things about Le Regent and its staff and not much about St. Germain des Pres. I'd rather be sure of the type of room I'm reserving and Le Regent is offering you a specific room. A superior room is quite spacious and faces the street. You don't know what type of room you'll be getting at the St. Germain des Pres.

Also if you check the reviews of both hotels at tripadvisor.com there are mixed reviews for St. Germain des Pres. There's one negative review of Le Regent, but it seems out of place. There is a 2* hotel of similar name, Regent's Hotel, so could be that's the one the reviewer is commenting on.

chicagolori

We stayed in Le Regent in May for 3 nights and were very pleased. The room was pretty, clean, and we had plenty of space for our gear. There was a good sized closet as well. The staff are very nice and speak English. We didnt really need them for much other than the standard check in and check out but they were always polite/friendly and willing to help. They did call and arrange a cab for us on the last day without any snafus.

The bathroom was huge and modern. Marble tiles with a large tub and shower and glass shower doors. Towel warmer, nice towels etc.

The location is perfect. Two minute walk to the river, many cafes just outside the hotel, and even an ATM outside the door. The website pictures are accurate. I dont think you would have any regrets staying there and the location makes it a blast.

paula1470

francophile03 - Yes, I read the reviews at Hotel St. Germain Des Pres on tripadvisor.com. Actually there is some confusion on those reviews because people talk about Holiday Inn points. Another talks about being next to the Sorbonne. This hotel has no connection to the Holiday Inn and is not that close to the Sorbonne. The people who describe the rooms as accurately are talking about the right hotel. It is confusing because there are several hotels with a very similar name.

As I said, I was very happy there but also would like to try Le Regent sometime. I would confirm with Hotel St. Germain what room you would be getting. Like I said, I had the standard room and it was fine. For that price I would assume that's what she is getting but the hotel should be able to tell her. I know everyone likes Le Regent also-as I said my friends were happy there. I don't think she can go wrong with either and maybe saving that 150e for one night could buy a nice dinner.

paula1470

One thing that might sway me would be the shower doors. At Hotel Saint Germain des pres we had the handheld shower-no curtain or even half shower door. It was a bit of a pain trying not to get the whole room wet. If Le Regent has full shower doors that might be a deciding factor. LOL

angeline

Thanks to all for your help. I still haven't made up my mind yet because I still can't decide how long to stay in Paris, 5 or 7 days. I'll decide soon enough since I am leaving in less than 2 weeks.

francophile03

I suggest that if you can stay as long as you can (7 days) would be best. I am so partial to Paris I suppose.

Elizabeth_S

I have some pictures of a superior room at Le Regent if that would help your decision - email me at [email protected]

angeline

Elizabeth,
I e-mailed you for those pictures but received a message that the e-mail was undeliverable. I tried again and the same thing happened. I don't know how to solve the problem, but I wanted to thank you for your kind offer. I'm waiting to hear from both hotels to see what's available for an extended stay.
Thanks!

Elizabeth_S

Odd - did you remove the REMOVE THIS part?

What's your email - I'll send to you.

Elizabeth_S

Hi Angeline - just saw your email and sent you the pix.....