We are planning a trip to Europe in the spring and would like some advice on where to stay. We hope to stay in London, Dublin, Paris, Rome, and Venice (maybe Florence if we have time). We are in our early-20's and while we don't need lavish accommodations, we want to avoid dumpy/grungy places. I've looked at some hostel sites and some are almost as expensive as hotels for two people. Anyone have any recommendations? Less expensive hotels, B&B's, and hostel advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

Have you taken a look at "Let's Go Europe" guidebook? This was my bible when I was your age doing the hostel/cheap hotel, living on a dime thing.

I actually just bought that book. I'll start reading it ASAP. Thanks for the advice!

Have you thought about staying in convents in Italy? They are a low cost, no frills alternative to hotel rooms. I have stayed in convents in Rome, Venice and Florence as well as other cities in Italy. Two years ago I paid around 35 euro a night (single room with bath) in Rome, 55 euro a night (single room with bath) in Venice, and around 30 euro a night in Florence (single room, shared bath down the hall). The biggest downside is the curfew that some impose (usually around 11pm). In general this was not a problem for me since I was traveling when the days were relatively short and I was traveling by myself. Another possibility in Venice is the guesthose of the Waldensian church. They have rooms for between 20 and 30 euro a night (dorm style, I think -- like a hostel).

Let me know if you want more information.

Buona fortuna!
Allison

In Rome check out The Beehive - it is a very nice, very clean hostel that also has private rooms.

For London, I'd choose Priceline - for two people, it's definitely a better deal than a hostel, and you could go for less than a 4* hotel, although the 4* hotels are excellent values. See all the posts on that topic.

Dublin - don't know.

Paris - there are so many relatively cheap options that you'll be overwhelmed. It should be quite possible to come up with something for 60 Euros or less for a double room if you don't need air conditioning.

Rome - Some hostels have double rooms. Look at the Beehive's apartment shares, and Papa Germano, and Alessandro hostels to name a few. There are several convents, but most have curfews, some as early as 10:30.

Venice - as mentioned, the guesthouse of the Waldensian church is Foresteria Valdese.

Florence - Casa Santo Nome di Gesu convent is lovely, but has a 11 or 11:30 PM curfew. There are also many other cheap hotels, and other convents.

I stayed in Ostello Santa Fosca in Venice in August 2002 and thought it was one of the nicest hostels I had stayed at on the entire trip. I believe ti was around 18E per person.

It should be in the Let's Go books

Thanks all for the great advice!

IF YOU WANT A HOSTEL IN DUBLIN, YOU NEED TO BOOK IT YESTERDAY, IF NOT SOONER.

You might also like to read and post on www.lonelyplanet.com and go to their BB similar to this one called The Thorn Tree. Lots of younger budget travelers post there.

Yes a B&B, pensione, convent, 1 or 2-star hotel (when two people share a room) may be similar in price to two people staying in a youth hostel.

Have a look at these hotels in Paris:

Hotel Crimée, 2 star hotel:
http://www.hotelcrimeeparis.com

Hotel Sofia, 1 star hotel:
http://www.hsofia.com

Hotel Sainte Marie, 1 star hotel:
http://wwww.hotelsaintemarie.com

Hotel Prince Albert Wagram, 2 star hotel
http://www.princealbert-wagram.com

Enjoy your European tour!

I stayed at two hostels recommended in Lets Go and found them to be very nice.

One was Oliver St John Gogarty's hostel in Dublin: http://www.gogartys.ie/
Very clean facilities and very central location

The other in Paris was the Young and Happy Hostel. www.youngandhappy.fr Very helpful staff, and GREAT location

I plan to use this site for some of the cities I'll be visiting in a few months. http://www.hostelz.com/ What I like is that it there are reviews from travelers for many of the hostels.

The great thing about hostels I think is that you will probably get more of a chance to interact with others your own age who can give you tips (and you them) on what to do, see and avoid!

Thanks all for the great input and advice. We really appreciate it!

In Paris, Hotel Cosmos, 35 rue Jean Pierre Timbaud, in the 11th arrondissement, a pleasant family-run hotel that does business with European tour groups. Rooms 55 euros a night.

For London, try londontown.com.

Check individual hotel reviews on tripadvisor.com. And you can do rate comparisons there, click on Quick Review (or something like that!) and it will pull up rates offered at three or four websites. Very handy and quick.