If you are going to stay there and must, then you will probably be fine, but I really would not recommend a hotel around place d'Italie. It's not very charming, shall we say. It's not terribly far out, that isn't the problem so much as the general area. On the other hand, I think the area around Gobelins metro is pretty good. Even though it's not that awfully far from place d'Italie, I think they are very different areas in a lot of ways. I like the area around Gobelins, particularly because just a block or two north you get some nice small shops and cafes, St Medard church and the beginning of rue Mouffetard. There are also some nice cafes right around Gobelins metro. I don't like the area around place d'Italie. If you can change, I personally would.

Allisonm - I agree that it isn't too far out. I walked from the Monge to there a couple of times. AND you are close to the metro. Enjoy!

On my last trip to Paris I stayed at the Hotel du Palais Bourbon and loved it. It was convenient, inexpensive, and the staff was very friendly and helpful. I will definitely stay there again on my next visit!

hi,
i just stayed at the grand hotel malher in the marais. it was about E108 for a double room. very convenient to the metro st. paul and good walking to notre dame. it also has a lift, if that is an issue...

Wow! I haven't been able to log on for only two days and I am overwhelmed by the number of responses! Thank you all SO much for taking the time.

I am doing this on a whim, first trip on my own, and I speak no French at all! I am doing some research now on Paris (locations, geography, hotels,etc. and greatly appreciate the guidance of websites and hotels!!) All that has been suggested previously is to stay in the Latin Quarter. I'm looking for a hotel preferable in the $100 range ($85ish Euro, though I'll go up to 110 euro if needed.)

Thanks again!!

Maybe I should throw this out there too.. I'm 32, single, and looking for an area walkable to the sights. I'm a "relax with a nice glass of wine" girl, and not so much a "barhopper" anymore. I'm not sure what areas would be best, though I'm doing my homework now (did I say I'm doing this on a whim?!) Any opinions would be wonderful. Thanks to all of you again!!

If you are 32, single and want to walk to the sights, try Hotel La Sorbonne. It's right across the street from the Sorbonne University and the students and professors all hang out in the square around the corner from the hotel so you could meet some people without barhopping.

It's not a great hotel, but it's clean, the staff speaks English, there's an elevator and a 5 euro breakfast and it's 80 euros a night for a double. Don't know what a single is but it would be less. The rooms are tiny but you can walk to all the major sights except possibly the Eiffel Tower unless you really like walking. There are 3 Metro stops nearby and you can take the RER from CDG right to the Luxembourg Station and it's 2 blocks from the hotel.

This is NOT a luxury hotel but they are very nice there. I just thought you might meet some young people near the university.

Enjoy your trip!

Thansk SalB! I'll look into it. Definitely want to be in a quaint area that's walkable to the main sites.. never been to paris before! I'm going over Christmas so I'm finding availability an issue, but I'll look into all the recommendations I get and I'm sure one will work out. Are there certain sections of paris people would recommend? Thanks.

This might be the place to ask, (maybe clouclou?) - - twice in long years past, we stayed at a two-star called "Londres et Stockholm" on Rue St. Roch not far from the church and only a couple of blocks from rue Rivoli -- pardon spelling errors. Has the name changed? Vanished? We enjoyed our stays there, and I'm curious about how it has faired since then. J.

Message: Thanks to everyone who helped with advice on inexpensive paris hotels!! In researching I am finding availability to be a challenge (traveling in the Christmas timeframe.)

Eurocheapo has proven invaluable to show availability. Would anyone recommend any of the following hotels?

-Cluny Square (5)
-Cardinal (5)
-Jardins de Paris St Germain (6)
-Agora St Germain (5)
-Cyrnos (2)
-Serotel Lutece (5)
-Jardins de Paris Marais Bastille (4)
-Plat D'etain (3)
-Chomel (7)
-Louvre Marsollier Opera (2)
-Prince Hotel Forum (1)
-deFrance (7)

Also, this is my first trip to paris.. I am a single young woman and would like a quaint area in the heart of it all where I can safely walk around. Please do let me know if there are areas you would recommend that I look at, or that I should stay out of.

Thanks so much!!

If you want rock bottom budget, you can find cheap accommadations thru http://www.cheaphostel.com

And here's another thread with similar query you may find helpful -- Paris hotels . . . need more help! Please! ~~~
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34446491