beachbum

Thanks for the reassurance, Jody. We booked a superior streetside room as well, and I don't mind having the window open if necessary, even if it is a bit noisy.

As this will be my wife's first time in Paris (mine too, practically speaking), we're unfamiliar with the Rue Jacob area, other than what you see on a map. So, any nearby restaurant/cafe (or any other) recommendations would be appreciated.

hoodpoint

Francophile,
Your report on the 2 bedroom at the Danube is troubling--we have it reserved in May. For 220 euros I had been hoping for a large bathroom, since there will be 4 of us sharing it. Were the rooms small as well? I do like the location--stayed at the Millesime 2 yrs ago and really liked it, but I can't do 2 rooms at 185 euros...

francophile03

Hoodpoint, I had requested a bathroom with a wall shower and the staff suggested the apartment that's pictured on the website. That room is room #43. They have at least another apartment which is the one pictured on the website. This apartment may have a tub with hand-held shower but I don't remember.
My room did not have a door to separate the two rooms, only a curtain and the second room is down a few steps.
The best thing to do is to send an email to the hotel and ask them if the bathroom you are getting is large and if it has a tub with a hand-held shower if that matters to you. I assume a bathroom with a tub is usually larger than the one with a shower.
As for the size of the rooms, the hotel informed me they are 140 sq. feet each. I found my room comfortable enough. It had a desk with chair and an additional chair near the window. There are two wardrobes located on each side of the bed but only 2 hangers in the wardrobe that's for hanging your clothes.
Remember that my room is #43 so let them know this isn't the room you want.

hoodpoint

Francophile,
Thanks for the response. We do have the apartment with a tub, so our bathroom may be bigger. I am thinking that people who really like the Hotel du Danube like it for the regular rooms, not the quad apartments. I am going to keep looking for something else. If I cancel--we have it from May 11-14--I will post here so a Fodorite can have a shot at it.

francophile03

Hi hoodpoint, if your bathroom has a tub, it'll most likely be with the hand-held hose. That's why I had requested a wall-mounted shower but the bathroom was smaller.
I regret that I do not like the hotel. After the great reception and room at the Verneuil I was disappointed at the bathroom and the reception at Danube.
Have you checked the family rooms at Hotel de Fleurie (someone also posted a comment on this thread)? It costs alot more than at Danube but you get more amenities and the rooms and bathrooms (via their website) look alot nicer than the Danube's. Plus you will have a/c in case you need it in May. Another plus is that the rooms are connected by a common passageway but they have separate doors and 2 bathrooms.
Hope you find a hotel that you'll be comfortable with in the end. You still have time.
Good luck in your hotel search and have a great trip to Paris.

jody

beachbum....we did not do the breakfast at the Danube..well, we did once.....since we are now retired and on a decreased budget!..instead we walked 2 blocks up Rue Jacob , and had breakfast at PAUL...for 1/3 the price!

We do not skimp on dinner though! There are several places within a 10 minute walk or a few further on .. about 20 minutes!

About 2 minutes.. L'entrecote, rue de St benoit..1 item on the menu!.. salad with walnuts for a starter, steak with an unbelievably good sauce and frites and then seconds!...desserts are ordered as an extra..good house wine..we use this as our rainy day place!

There is another bistrot just a few doors away that friends of ours really liked , but it was closed for a private party the night we tried to go.

BTW, there is a cafe right next door, for breakfast or drinks...stand at the bar and the price isn't too bad. Or further up the steet, mayba a block or block and a 1/2, there is a wonderful bistrot on the corner of Rue Bonaparte, Au pre du clercs and Lauderee is right across the st.Deux Maggots is a further block along.

We usually go to Le Bookinstres, Rotisserie d'un Face, Espadon Bleu, Ze Kitchen Galerie, Auberge de Reine Blanche and this year we have 2 new finds...Chez Fernand and Chez Julien...all within a 10-15 minute walk! We were slightly disappointed with Au temps Perdu, that was recommended here .

If we are not totally whipped ,we often walk as far or metro down to the 7th and there are many wonderful bistros and restaurants there. After a great meal and if the weather is not pouring down on our heads , it is really pleasant to have a long walk back to the hotel.

I have 2 new places to try next trip, compliments of a Swiss friend of mine , who goes to Paris regularly...wouldn't that be nice!... Le cameleon and Au parc du cerfs..not too far from Vavin metro amd probably within walking distance of Rue Jacob,,,if you are a walker!

Patrick

The more I read this thread as it gets added to the more I would again recommend Le Regent. In addition to the rooms being air conditioned, and if the deluxe rooms -- light and large, the bathrooms are not only of good size, but beautifully tiled and have tubs with wall mounted showers and glass partition to keep the water in.

francophile03

I have to agree with Patrick here. The Regent sounds really nice just like the Verneuil. There really aren't any amenities at the Danube; they do provide Roger & Gallet bath gel and shampoo but that's it. In addition to not having a/c, missing soap dishes, no facial tissues, no washcloth (Verneuil did have washcloths), there is no minibar.

beachbum

Thanks very much for the restaurant recommendations, Jody. Appears there are a number of good choices nearby.

As to du Danube vs. le Regent, we've booked a superior in du Danube for 145 euro/night, about as much as I want to spend. Le Regent shows a standard room at 140 euro. Given that my wife is looking for windows opening to cobblestoned streets lined with cafes, patisseries, etc., which would you all recommend?

francophile03

At the Danube there is no cobblestone street outside-just a regular paved street and it's quite busy sometimes too so if she doesn't mind the noise, it's okay.

I find Le Regent is in a quieter street than the Danube and it's closer to the rue de Buci. I don't recall the street as being cobblestoned either. Rue de Buci has all the nice cafes, street market, and restaurants but rue Jacob is not that far. I would choose the Le Regent since your wife seems interested in being close to what rue de Buci offers.

Judy

Does le Regent have a web site? When I google I just get lots of booking sites.

francophile03

You can find information about Le Regent and its email address at www.-france-hotel-guide.com. I have not found a direct hotel website for them-but could be there is one.

Patrick

I know they have their own website as I have used it before. This is why some of us were complaining recently about Google -- how despite hundreds of "hits", you can't find their a hotel's actual website address.
I suggest you email them and ask them about their own website, or just email them and ask about the rates for your dates. You can google and find tons of sites with hotel pictures and information. The last email address I had for them is [email protected]
If that doesn't work, you can find one on one of the other sites as mentioned above.

Judy

Thanks for the help. I really feel silly not thinking of e-mailing them....too simple!

234sackett

I just returned from a short weekend stay at the Danube and found it to be very pleasant. Our accommodation was great considering the price and the wonderful location. As far as the staff, I have not encountered any of the problems francophile03 mentions. As a matter of fact, I can tell that Estelle, who happens to be the one young reception lady, is very nice and professional. I actually had the chance to chat with her a little and found that she is just a few months pregnant which is not an easy thing when you have such a tough job! It is true that the French, unlike Americans, tend to keep to themselves until they know you. They usually won't be all smile and in your face like our fellow American people, who are often very hypocrits anyway. SMILING is the standard back home and it is not in France. Cultural differences as always. Overall, I recommend the Danube which has to offer a bit of everything for everyone. It is true that there is little amenities but it's very well kept and it was sufficient for us. So then it's your choice. In any case, I'd say if you have high expectations in Paris, you should go for a 4-star. Paris IS expensive and you should not expect you can get the Ritz with rock bottom rates.

francophile03

Hi, I'm glad you had a good experience at the Danube. I'm not sure if the young lady that we had at reception is Estelle. But if it was she then she's probably not showing her pregnancy yet as this girl was tall and thin. Anyway, it could be she was exhausted and not feeling well as is the case with the early stages of pregnancy. But she was not in good spirits when we were there unlike when you visited. It was not just us either-she was short with another guest.
Personally I'm not looking for a 4* hotel. My feelings about the Danube is that it's not the hotel for me.