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-   -   HELP - PARIS HOTEL: More I Search, More I'm Confused :( (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/help-paris-hotel-more-i-search-more-im-confused-943977/)

rtwin80days Jul 24th, 2012 09:24 AM

Guys, I know my question was fairly simple for those who have been to Paris and there are thousands of hotels & websites. Prolly, because it has been a dream of mine to visit Paris for over a decade and I am traveling almost 6000 miles to come to Europe for the first time & managed to squeeze 4 days out of my Spain trip. Stakes are high for me and hence, for the first time, I am not my composed self!

Thanks for bearing with flurry of my qs.

I checked out each of the hotels shared by you, mapped against price, location, availability, requirement, etc.

After much deliberation and SO MUCH support from you guys, I have shortlisted the following hotels:

1.Beaugency Hotel, 21 Rue Duvivier, Paris, 75007 – best part location, not-so-good tiny rooms (10 sqm) as consistent feedback & some dust experienced by guests. 108 euros.

2.Hotel Vaneau Saint Germain, 86 Rue Vaneau, Paris, 75007 – 100 meters from Station de metro Vaneau & 300-500 m away from 3 more metro. It’s pincode ends with 7, so would this be close to Eiffel Tower? It says Saint-Germain-des-Prés area. 100 euros.

3.Hotel de Suede Saint Germain, 31 Rue Vaneau, Paris, 75007 – is it near Eiffel Tower? Or other tourist attractions? Well-connected? 110 euros.

4.Hotel Legend Saint Germain, 151 Bis Rue De Rennes, Paris, 75006 - Rue de Rennes in sixth arrondissement, rooms look small but not tired, 120 euros

5.Hôtel Banke, Banke Hotel Paris, Rue La Fayette 20.Paris 75009 - best part 15 sqm room, very rare, seen mostly 10 sqm rooms in Paris. 140 euros. Location-wise, not so sure.

If any of you have personal experience of these hotels or heard of them, please comment.
I appreciate each comment of yours guys!

rtwin80days Jul 24th, 2012 10:57 AM

Jennywren58, single room in this hotel seemed too small..it is not the case? Also, pls tell me more about this one day river ticket..is it useful to go to multiple attractions?

Zoecat, yes yes doing that as well :P had started a new one because I thought I was not communicating properly in the first thread.

Jamikins, finally did that..hmmmph :D what do you think about my list?

Denisea, I know what you mean..it is a well-intentioned advice..just that I already feel I am spending such little time in Paris, I want to be as close as possible..

Rastaguytoday, bingo! 6em or nearby it is. Since you told me, I started looking at the last 2 digits :)

Guenmai, hats off to you for taking so much pain to maintain these 2 threads for the greater good for ignorant people like us…
Gretchen, I do need a visa, which I should be applying for SOON! :)

Janisj, I finally made my shortlist..researching more on them so that can conclude soon. And yes, I do need a visa.

Nytraveler, I see what you mean..noticed when I saw the pics of so many hotels on the net..how about hotel legend saint germain? Seems modern, not too expensive and in prime location.

Sidny, thanks for empathising, I am so glad I can find people who get my pain. Trying to book in the prime location.

FrankS, I am visiting paris for the first time..prefer to stay closer to all sites..

Robertino, hehe I get it, blame it on my first-time paris anxiety!

Christina, looking up your recommendations. Your advice on the location is taken!

StCirq, prolly I am investing too much emotionally in this trip, hence this extra caution! All suggestions are being looked into!

StCirq Jul 24th, 2012 11:02 AM

I assume this is what was meant by "river ticket"- whttp://www.batobus.com/english/

But it has limited stops, and you can wait up to 20 minutes or so for the boat, and it's not ideal in inclement weather, and it costs a lot more than the métro and buses, which are excellent.

waterdog Jul 24th, 2012 11:17 AM

How nice to see the OP reply to those who have offered advice!

zoecat Jul 24th, 2012 11:38 AM

I suggest going with #4.

laurie_ann Jul 24th, 2012 11:56 AM

There is nothing wrong with the 9th (where the last hotel is). But for a first time visitor to Paris I would pick one of the others. I wouldn't worry about how big my room is, but the balance between spending and ambience. If you would rather spend your extra 12 euro a day on coffee, wine, chocolate, whatever, choose Beaugency. If you know you won't be happy unless you have a pretty room choose Legend. I think of all of them that Beaugency is the closest to Tour Eiffel (not that is basis to choose a hotel, but you seemed to ask which ones were close).

Cathinjoetown Jul 24th, 2012 12:58 PM

Try the Clément in the 6th. Room, bathroom and public rooms immaculate and attractive.

A double was 150€ in May so you might come in on budget. Great location, one block off St. Germain.

Breakfast was extra but one of the best I've had in a Paris hotel.

Sidny Jul 24th, 2012 01:06 PM

Of all the variable to be concerned with, as a solo traveler I would be least concerned with size (of the room) ;-). I lived in an apartment for 3 years that wasn't much bigger than 10sqm, so 3 nights in a hotel shouldn't be an issue. You probably won't be awake in the room for more than a couple of hours per day.

I'll let others with more knowledge of the city provide input on the hotels you list, though I would go for the first three, just based on general location/price. I haven't looked at the websites or reviews...

rtwin80days Jul 24th, 2012 10:40 PM

StCirq, then I may not take the river ticket.

Waterdog, I really appreciate people coming forward to respond to my query, which must have been asked 1000 times in the past.

Zoecat, you got it ;) my preference too! Any personal experience with this hotel?

Laurie_Ann, I am a teetotaler vegetarian. I can't find much to spend on, while in Paris, except desserts :P

Cathinjoetown, yes this hotel looks good, I tried booking but it is unavailable on on of the dates I am in Paris :( well, maybe the proverbial next time :)

Sidny, I totally get what you are saying, for a solo traveller. Maybe it is a personal preference. I was born in a tier 2 city and brought up in a house with big courtyard, various fruit trees, a temple and lounge within. I am currently staying in one of the biggest 2 bedroom apartment (provided by my company ofcourse) area-wise per person if I compare to 99% people of a big Indian metro. Space is my weakness :)

Avalon2 Jul 25th, 2012 12:37 AM

Try the Minerve in the 5h It is within budget, rooms nice sixe a welldecorated. Waking du-idtnce to Seine ab=nd Notre dame and excellent transpotation. Many good restaurants in walking distance, Bistro de Gadtroniomes and Buisson Ardent to name2!Rue monge market is also mnearby

Christina Jul 25th, 2012 06:59 AM

I travel solo a lot and I still don't want a room the size of a closet, I'd go nuts. And I think most anyone is awake in their room more than a couple hours a day, unless you are some 20 year old person who parties in clubs all night until 3 am. Besides, sometimes traveling alone (or with anyone) can be stressful just due to all the activity, planning, different language, etc., so I think you need a nice room to relax and rest well. I'm in my room awake at least an hour in the morning, perhaps several hours at the end of the afternoon when I rest and shower, change before dinner, and then probably another hour or two at the end of the day when I go back after dinner and read or watch the news, etc. I do not go to bed early and need some down time like that.

So I would not book a room that was only 9-10 m2 myself. I try to get one around at least 15-18 m2. I consider 10-12 m2 small for a hotel room. But I am not super cheap on vacation and general won't stay in "Single" rooms unless it were one night in transit or something. That doesn't mean I stay in expensive hotels, I don't, but I do stay in nice 3* hotels usually and spend more than 100 euro.

I don't have any trouble at all getting hotel rooms 15 m2 or more, if you are finding only 10 m2 ones that's just a function of the price range you are seeking, and if you are looking at "single" rooms. Of course they are small. You just aren't going to get decent size rooms for that price.

FOr example, this is an area I stay in a lot (MOntparnasse) and a hotel I really like http://www.hotelraspailmontparnasse.com/
At the end of August, its single rooms are 99 euro, standard double 116 euro and "comfort" double 133 euro. Of course the single rooms are smaller, I don't know their size, but I know the comfort double is huge as I booked it once. So I imagine their regular doubles are decent size, but you could inquire. these rooms are decorated in kind of a modern decor but not too modern, which I like. I think it is supposed to be Art Deco. This is an extremely convenient location within one block of two metro stops and a bus line.

rtwin80days Jul 25th, 2012 07:17 AM

Avanlon2 & Christina, I want to be right in the center of it all for this trip of mine as this is my first Paris trip.

Christina, you spoke my mind. I really need some space in the room else it gets to me. Anyway, when you are on your own, so many thoughts are creating a cocktail in your mind. As in, this is when you have the most of the peace & you truly face your innermost emotions & fears. Don't want to feel suffocated as if the walls are closing in on me :) Prolly I can't explain but a small room is a no-no for me, though it seems quite normal in Paris "Single" rooms in general.

mamcalice Jul 25th, 2012 07:32 AM

Check to see if the Hotel Clement and the ones on your list have rooms. You can narrow down your list that way. If I were you, because you want to be centrally located, I would choose a hotel in the 6th Arrondisement.

Travelnut Jul 25th, 2012 07:57 AM

Have you looked at Grand Hotel des Balcons? Doubles to 'Elegant' Doubles range from 94-132€. Photos show a nice bright room, large windows, desk and chair, seem to have more space than many hotels' rooms (some creative photo angles may be in evidence on the website)... check TA reviews to see if "rooms are small" is too constant a complaint.
http://www.balcons.com/

Look at Hotel de Mines also; 3-night special for a Double at 94-106€
http://www.hotel-desmines-paris.com/

bardo1 Jul 25th, 2012 08:38 AM

rtwin80days,

I strongly agree w/ the above recs for both Hotel Clement and Grand Hotel des Balcons - both are much better locations than any on your numbered list.

DO at least check if either have a single room for your dates.

The absolute "center" of Paris is Notre Dame cathedral - you might to consider all the different hotel locations in terms of walking/Metro distance from that point.

Sidny Jul 25th, 2012 09:56 AM

I understand if space is important to you, I just didn't want you to get too focused on that aspect if it really wasn't a big deal, but clearly it is and that's cool. I understand what you and Christina are saying and I agree that I don't like to feel like I'm staying in a closet. But for me, as long as I have good light and a window I'm ok, it's not the space for me.

And Christina, I probably did understate the time spent in the room. I spend more than a couple hours awake too, but I thought I was the only person who goes to Paris and likes to chill in my room sometimes rather than in a cafe or park. ;-)

Good luck rtwin80!!

robertino Jul 25th, 2012 10:01 AM

If space is a concern, then the solution to small single rooms may be to book a double room.

Phil Jul 25th, 2012 10:14 AM

Rtw:

Check the hôtel du Panthéon. 5ème arr. Have stayed there a year ago. Nice rooms, very clean, beautiful view of the Panthéon, walking distance to île de la Cité.

Single room around €120 to €140

Hope this helps

Phil

Digbydog Jul 25th, 2012 11:53 AM

Another vote for Hotel Clement. It is in a very central area, and near two different Metro stops. We have stayed there twice.

Cathinjoetown Jul 25th, 2012 11:58 AM

Digby,

OP tried the Clément but there were no rooms available that worked. It is certainly my current first choice in Paris.

Phil, I like the Panthéon but OP wants large rooms.


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