PalenQ

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...e-sorbonne.cfm

zedlanier - this older thread from Fodor's dwells on student housing in Paris - again this atmosphere IMO could be not only cheaper than a proper hotel but more in the students' interest as they meet others they age from all over the world.

especially check Sandy's informative post of her experiences finding student accommodations in Paris.

BigRuss

Zed, answer this question simply and directly and about 50% of the negative feedback will evaporate:

WHAT IS THE PER NIGHT BUDGET FOR HOTEL COSTS?

You and your colleague are getting tangled up in the 2*/3* nonsense and it's rubbish. European hotels are rated by amenities like Janis said earlier, not like the AAA diamond system. There are 1 and 2 star hotels that are superior to 4* hotels in cleanliness, staff, breakfast, but not in pool, gym, concierge or ancillary services.

And if you're not leading a tour of Paris, princesslily's suggestion is sound.

bigtyke

Watch the movie 'Taken'

zedlanier

Russ, When I started the post, I was shocked at the rates I was seeing for hotels ($150 per night per person and more) for somewhat questionable lodgings. I needed assistance or Paris would not be part of our trip. Still not certain that it will be.

After I started this post, I found a place that is 43 Euros per person per night with breakfast. However, it is basically a "hostel", 10-20 people to a room. Wherever the students stay, I will stay. My colleague may stay elsewhere.

I would like to find somewhere with more privacy. Triples or doubles would be nice. Bath on hall is fine. Safety is key, convenience to transportation, breakfast would be nice, but I am not looking for pool, gym, etc. $75 to $90 per night per person. For those who feel this is unrealistic, negative comments really aren't helpful.

Thanks again to those of you who have given suggestions.

Christina

I'll try, I'm in Paris right now so can't spend a lot of time at this computer... I presumed you said 3 star because in the US, that is a pretty modest hotel (of course we don't really have star ratings, but what you'd see on websites). Not so in Europe, that is mid-level and Paris is an expensive city, of course. YOu couldn't stay in New York city for $90 a night, either (or many major US cities), so I think you have to understand this is an expensive big city. And actually, I don't agree with the line about how the star ratings don't mean anything and how great hotels you can find that are 1*-2*. The star ratings in France do correlate very well IMO with price and quality and what you can expect. When I don't know hotels, I go by them, also, and I've been traveling there 15 years. The main difference is location in that algorithm -- in Paris, you can find cheaper hotels the farther out and if you want to stay in one of the most expensive quartiers (like St Germain), you will find 2* hotels about the same price as 3* elsewhere.

IN any case, you should stop thinking in USD to some extent as it is easier to think about what you want. I gather you want a hotel for about 50 euro a person, is that right? That's not impossible, you can find modest 2* hotels for 90-110 euro for a double room, but not a lot. The problem is those rooms are usually only a double bed, NOT twins. Twin rooms are usually about 10 pct more or so.

Look at the Hotel Marignan on rue Sommerard in the Latin Qtr, perfect for you. Also check the Hotel Castex in that area. I think both may be in your price range. The Marignan is larger, also. But the big issue is trying to find accommodation for a group, that may be the problem.

SO I really do think you should look at the Accor Hotel website and book one of their large chain hotels, an Ibis. That have several around Paris, try to get one at least within the peripherique (maybe Cambronne or Bastille or Place d'Italie). That might be possible, but even their hotels can be more than that in the best areas, depending on the time of year, which I didn't catch.

Gretchen

Zed, you sort of did bring it on yourself by your 3* "need", and Christina has explained it nicely. The Ibis IS in your price range and is very reliable for what they "promise". We have stayed at the one at Bastille. They are helpful at the desk, and when we were there seemed to also be catering to a business and young tourist crowd.

PalenQ

http://www.parisinfo.com/hebergement...A9tapes-jeunes

check out UCRIF youth hotels - I have put up college groups in their one in the University of Paris/Sorbonne right opposite the Luxembourg Gardens and close to the Latin Quarter - we had private rooms with 2-4 persons in each room - breakfast included.

apersuader65

I still can't fathom why people post here simply to show how smart they are by asking nasty questions and making nasty assumptions.

If you don't know any hotels to recommend, based upon the posters given information, accept it as you can't answer and go get snarky on someone else's post.

If you're an even remotely polite person, you should be able to respectfully ask qustions of the poster that will allow you to get the information YOU need to answer their questions. But, PalenQue hit it on the head, some poster's can't help but be jerks, be it from their nature or their nurture.

"50% of the negative feedback will evaporate."

Too bad it has to even show up!

justineparis

First.. Princess Lily a three star hotel in Paris not a budget hotels , that comment tells me you are either very rich and like to spend a lot of money on very fancy places , or you simply don't have a clue about France and the rating systems and very little experience .

Secondly for OP, someone suggested the Hotel Marignan and that is a good suggestion. Look it up.

I can also suggest a few hotels ,, they are clean, safe, central , and nice enough for most people as long at they are not prissy demanding types( your colleague perhaps?) I have stayed at all of them and they are not going to produce any "horror stories" or dramas except to prince and princesses.

The rooms will be small. All have good private bathrooms,and most have mini fridges ( good for stocking with snacks!) .

Hotel Diana- very central but on quiet street

Hotel Eugenie- steps from Seine

Hotel St Pierre( which is by the Sorbonne and nice area for students) Great location, just off busy street steps to metros and museums..

Hotel Le Regent ( this is the priciest one, the standard rooms are tiny, but the deluxe rooms are well sized, perhaps your students could take the standards and co worker the deluxe room) Love this area ( the 6th)

I have stayed at a few others but not sure they meet student budget..

I aim to spend not more then 120 euros a night, several of the hotels I have listed often have specials for less then 100 euros a night for a double ( this past summer we paid 98 euros at Hotel Diana)

PalenQ

If you're an even remotely polite person, you should be able to respectfully ask qustions of the poster that will allow you to get the information YOU need to answer their questions>

adrienne may call me rude for calling out rudeness but something just galls me that when someone comes with a simple question they are met with unfounded accusations like:

<What experience do you have with taking kids on tours? Do you speak the language? Do you know Paris intimately? They're college-age? They can do what they like. What do you have planned? I should think accommodations would be the least of the concerns) - well I am shocked that adrienne would even care to defend this simply loutish behavior - RESPECT NEW POSTERS ESPECIALLY and yes as aspersuader says there is a way to ask those questions politely - but that apparently is not the goal of those making these type remarks, which come from the same old sources all the time - a relative handful of folks who I guess just get off making rude comments to put naive first-time posters in their place. To me it is bullying at its worst.

This is hurting Fodor's a lot as the newbie posters often do not return after being lambasted for whatever reason - again there is a way to express your concerns in a constructive helpful way - learn some manners please and treat others how you would like to be treated!

Amen and won't say another thing on this thread about this problem that is plaguing Fodor's.

justineparis

I thought those were good questions. I didn't think OP was being "lambasted" but apparently some people are more sensitive then I am to perceivced slights.

justineparis

I thought those were good questions. I didn't think OP was being "lambasted" but apparently some people are more sensitive then I am to perceivced slights.

princesslily

Yes,yes, yes, the French rating system is impossibly pedantic, it rates such basic things like elevator, yes or no, how many rooms and what size, soundproofing, and a lot of other things that should be present in a well crafted lean to. You could use the French star scheme to determine whether or not the building is suitable for your pet, but if you are actually planning to stay there yourself you should probably find out whether there is more to the place than intact rooms with electricity.