pantelia

(I had this all typed up and then lost it! If it appears twice, I'm sorry!).

In an effort to find affordable quad rooms in Paris, I came across the Hotel Sofia, 21 rue de sofia. Per their website, they are one stop from Gare du Nord, line 4,at the Barbès-Rochechouart, three minute walk from there.

They have quad rooms for abotu 88 euro per night.

I checked tripadvisor, and found 6 reviews, 1 in German...the other five are rather neutral. You get what you pay for, get breakfast somewhere else, clean, basic...nothing really bad, mainly just neutral.

I've also been looking at the Hotel Odessa, 28 rue d'Odessa, closest metro stop is Montparnasse Bienvenue, line 4. They have quad rooms for 120 per night.

What I'm looking for is first, or second, hand info on either or both of these hotels. Budget is key. This is a surprise trip for my kids. I'm adding (based on recos from other posters) a couple of days in Paris to the end of a (easy out in the planning and $$ department) week in the UK to visit family and friends.

Again, budget is key, the 120 at the Odessa looked fine, and of course, 88 at the Sofia looks better.

We do NOT need luxury! Basic, clean room, to sleep in at night, easy access to Metro, doesn't even have to really be in a 'quiet zone' as we are all heavy sleepers and I always pack ear plugs, just in case (though we've never used them). It will be myself and 3 teens (18, 15 and 15), quad room is fine, no need for two doubles/twins etc. My kids are adaptable and don't complain, they are happy as long as they are fed and exploring!! Yes, even the two girls in the group!!

So...I welcome any and all (good and bad) comments regarding the two places above, and if you're familiar with another hotel, please do share!

FWIW, I'm tacking on two nights in Paris to the end of our Spring Break week, which would be checking in Friday, April 10th and departing Sunday April 12th to head back to the states. We'll arriving in Paris by plane, train or bus, that's still being worked out, if I can snag eurostar tickets 90 days out, and get them cheap enough, we'll do the train, if not, I'll look for cheap flights out of either Manchester or Leeds/Bradford, and if all else fails, we'll do the National Express adventure (been there, done that, and we are all fine with it!).

Thanks again!

pantelia

Anyone? Beuller, Bueller???

Travelnut

Odds are that you will not find anyone on Fodors who has stayed at Hotel Sofia, and maybe one who has stayed at Hotel Odessa. I think you are going to have to decide based on:

1. reviews you can find
(try Venere.com and Booking.com)
2. location and impact on how you get around Paris
3. total amenities for the price

Know that the Sofia is in a very multicultural area, which can be either extra-interesting or off-putting, depending on your experiences.

pantelia

Thanks Travelnut. I did read that about the Sofia, and it's not an issue for us. Multi-cultural in our opinion translates to great food!!

I kind of figured I was reaching with these and will go based on the reviews I can find.

Thanks again!

yk

I haven't stayed at either one, but I just returned from Paris and stayed at a hotel very close to Odessa.

The neighborhood near Odessa is very lively and very convenient. Plenty of metro lines (4, 6, 12, 13) and many bus lines. You can get to pretty much all touristy sites either on the metro or bus WITHOUT having to change lines.

Does either one include breakfast with the rate? If not, do you plan on eating breakfast at the hotel or will you go out to a cafe for breakfast? If having breakfast at the hotel is key, look into the cost of breakfast and that may be a deal-breaker for you.

pantelia

Thanks yk,

As for breakfast, we'll probably just grab something out, unless it's included in the actual cost of the room (which I haven't checked yet!).

Info on the surrounding area is much appreciated!

yk

BTW, if you pick Odessa, check out this thread about the crepe places in the area:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35157907

pantelia

Will do! THank you.