I have these two hotels so confused. I am looking for the cheaper one. I think it's Hotel de Saint Germain. Can anyone tell me anything about it? Thanks for any advice. I'm looking for economy, as we are paying for 2 rooms for our family of 4 adults. I looked at Esmerelda "rants and raves", and I've seen enough reports about bugs, that I won't even consider it. I'm even considering a youth hostel, if I can find out if they are nice enough. I have looked at the MIJE hostels website, and wish there were more photos. Age 30, as an upper limit, does not apply, if the whole room is family or friends. I'd love to hear any comments on the comfort level of these hostels, too. I would love to find a clean, quiet, inexpensive hotel in the Latin quarter or St. Germain and near a Metro station. (???-$100 or so) Am I dreaming? Jeanne

I forgot to mention that I'm talking about Paris!

Hi Jeanneeboca,

You can try these, I don't have a website for the hotel Familia but you can find it on Fodors Paris hotels. I stayed here a couple years ago and really enjoyed it and I can recomend this.

The hotel is on the Left Bank and close to the Notre-Dame & Metro stops, it sounds like this would work for you.

Also right next door, same owners, is the Minerve Hotel www.hotel-paris-minerve.com. I found the first one in a Fodors travel book on Paris. Good rates. location, clean & friendly too.

Also if you look on this site, www.guestinitaly.com they have a Paris section too at the bottome with a good variety of listings with great descriptions.

Best of luck, E

The hotel Saint-Germain-des-Pres has an English homepage (www.hotel-paris-saint-germain.com) - but it's more expensive than what you have planned.

Yesterday spmebody told us about her favorite hotel, Hotel du Lys, and I bookmarked the site (www.hoteldulys.com).
Doublerooms are 110 Euros and who knows, perhaps they'll have a special rate for you if you ask them by email? ;-)

Taken from my Paris trip report from last Oct....

Hotel St. Germain in the 6th, 88 Rue de Bac (150.00 euros) for a double room. Fairly small but cute room w/ french doors that opened out to Rue de Bac below. People that worked there were very friendly and were earger to help, especially Wanda. We were on the 4th level of the hotel. Small but clean marble bathroom with a tub and a hand held shower device. Very narrow tub. The street can be noisy at all hours of the night. During the week, a small grocery store takes in deliveries starting at about 3am. On the weekends, people walking, talking, laughing etc..at all hours as they go down the street. It was a little annoying at times until you remembered where you were?.

The cheaper hotel is Hotel de St. Germain. As travelnut says who cares if it's smaller, a bit noisy? You are in Paris and in St. Germain.

However, if you have the $$ stay at Hotel de St. Germain. Location-wise it's excellent, very close to 2 famous patisseries: Laduree & Pierre Herme (further down the street), and next to rue Jacob.

Have a great trip!!

Oh, sorry, I meant stay at "Hotel St. Germain des Pres" if you have the $$.

Hi Jeanneboca:

If you were considering the Esmeralda, you might want to check out Hotel Les Argonautes. It's also in the 5th, not far from the Esmeralda. Here's the info:

Hotel les Argonautes
12, rue de la Huchette
PHONE: 01 43 54 09 82
FAX: 01 44 07 18 84
TUBE: St-Michel

We'll be staying there in about a week. It was recommended to us by some friends who are fellow budget travelers. It was described as well-located, inexpensive, basic and clean. We're paying €72 per night for a double. That's pretty darn cheap. The major drawback, apparently, is that it can be quite noisy at night as it is located on a street with several restaurants and bars. However, our friends requested a room on a high floor and had no problems sleeping there.

I'm not sure when you're going to Paris, but I'll be back after Oct. 9 and plan to post a full report, including a review of the hotel.

In the meantime, you can find a more in-depth review at www.eurocheapo.com

Good luck!
Jennie

A hotel I've recommended before, and one which others seem to have liked, is the Hotel La Louisiane. I don't mean to confuse the issue further, but in case you have no success you might try this one in the St. Germain area. Good luck.

Wayne, La Louisiane interested me until I read the on-line reviews, which made it sound very beat-up. What was your opinion? The location and price can't be beat, but I don't want my stay in Paris ruined by the feeling that I'm staying in a real dump. Eccentric, ok. Sleaze, nope! I'd love to know what you think.

We stayed at the cheaper Hotel De Saint Germain last year September, and really enjoyed it. We had a room and the street - 3 rd floor, and did not find it that noisy.

The rooms are very small, but very clean with everything you want - mini bar, hairdryer etc. And even a small bath!

The staff is very friendly and helpful and fluent in English at the reception desk.

The Hotel is so centrally located - you just walk everywhere, and there is a Monoprix only 2 blocks away, plenty of Metro stops 2 blocks away in different directions.

I can really reccommend this Hotel!