Help!! I am going to France for the first time, leaving next week. All is taken care of long ago, but at the last minute I have decided to extend my stay and visit Paris for four nights--Aug 1st through the 5th. This leaves me not much time to find a place to stay.

I have looked through several of the travel guides (Fodor's, Frommer's, Rick Steves), but my problem is I know nothing about Paris and it is such a large city. I am unsure what area to stay in. I am used to traveling alone and have been in many countries, But now, I am approaching 71 years of age and have lost a bit of my never fearful attitude.

Given the short time period, I want to see the main sites, hang out at some cafes, and do some guided walking tours. So, where should I stay...what area? My budget is not unlimited; I am looking for about a three star place. I don't need fancy, but stairs could lots of stairs could be a problem. Proximity to Metro is important.

Please help me!! This site was invaluable to me when planning other trips. Thanks.

S.

Don't think in terms of stars - the star ratings are completely different in Europe. Think in terms of how many euros you want to spend per night.

You''ll probably be most comfortable in arrondissements 4, 5, 6, or 7. Go to Booking.com, use their filters, and see what's available. You'll almost always be close to a métro in Paris. It really isn't a large city at all.

For an extremely comfortable stay, consider the Park Hyatt Vendome, a very well located hotel. Though it's a 5* (not a 3*), with this deal, with this deal, it becomes a moderately priced stay for your time in Paris:

Park Queen room ... with 4th night free, the average rate comes down to 533€.

When you book through Hyatt Privé, you'll get:

• an upgrade to Park Deluxe Queen room (hotel will confirm if possible within 24 hours of booking)
• free daily Full breakfast for two every day
• $100 property credit toward incidental expenses

You don't mention your budget, but the 3-star Britannique could be a good choice. It's very well located and is the favorite of several friends of mine who visit Paris regularly.
https://www.hotel-britannique.fr/en/

>>My budget is not unlimited; I am looking for about a three star place.<<

As StCirq says -- stars don't tell us anything. A 'Not unlimited' budget could mean anything. What is your actual budget.

(Travelhorizons s a high end travel agent so he may not be used to dealing with 'not unlimited budgets' and his suggestion is very VERY up market. Recommending a place at a 'discounted' rate of €533 per night??? On the hotel's own website the cheapest room is €603 per night fully pre-paid non-refundable, so I guess travelhorizons can get you a 'deal' - but he is still talking more than $620 per night!)

Nobody needs to spend €533 a night for an extremely comfortable, very well located hotel in Paris.We have booked a nice hotel in Paris for 5 nights in early August for less than that, total.

A few tips: once you decide on an area (as mentioned above 3,4,5 & 6 are golden) and check out the websites (I prefer hotels.com) be sure and check for AC (a must for August) AND if they have an elevator (some smaller places do not). Also if the hotel has a website, go to the website directly, often times they have better rates and you are not dealing with a third party... good luck and once you find a few post them and people here will give their two cents (or more ha!)

Another vote for the Brittanique. We had a great stay there, and it has a/c which might be needed during your dates.

Agree on Brittanique. It’s right next to the Chatelet Metro. Rooms are small but face a quiet street. We liked it.

There are plenty of hotel deals during August, one of the slowest hotel months of the year. Before you book using any on line platform, call or contact the hotel directly and ask for their August special deals.

Unfortunately it's impossible to make any meaningful recommendations without your budget window in euros.

Thanks for the information, but this is way, way above my budget

Here's a search in Hotels.com for 4 nights, beginning Aug 1. Lots of choices in a range of locations. There are places available -- here's a place to start out.

https://www.hotels.com/search.do?res...m-0-children=0

sophiepie~ What IS your budget? That will help people to be able to suggest things more suitable.

Sophiepie -- at least three of us have asked what your budget is . . . without that info we really can't help much. We need a number.

>>but this is way, way above my budget<<

Of course it is -- it is over most people's budgets. That poster lives/travels in a different universe. You can ignore that recommendation -- but we do still need to know how much you DO want to spend.

A basic thing to know about Paris is that you can save a considerable amount of money by not staying in the lower numbered arrondissements (1 to 8). It is not necessarily inconvenient to get to the various tourist sites because the metro and bus networks are excellent for any places that you want to see which are beyond your walking capacities. In fact, the arrondissements with the greatest number of hotels are the 9th and 10th -- and they are very much preferred by most French and European tourists to Paris since most of them are not on "splurge" budgets.

1997 is ages ago, but DH and I stayed at Hotel Ceramic on our first trip and loved its deco vibe. It is a couple of blocks away from L'Etoile metro (under the Arc de Triomphe) and Champs Elysees. Others can say if it is still nice. I think you'd like the area.

https://ceramic-paris-hotel.com/en/

In 2016 I stayed in two different places:

Hôtel Le Clément ** PARIS Near St. Germain de Pres. Near restaurants, shopping. I didn't take metro so don't notice nearby stops.
Address 6 rue le Clément
Paris 75006
Phone +33 (0)1 43 26 53 60
Fax +33 (0)1 44 07 06 83
Website http://www.hotel-clement-paris-saint-germain.com/
E-mail [email protected]


2 - 8 May In Montparnasse. Less charming but a stone's throw to the train station and a good bus hub. I loved the nearby market and restaurants.

Hôtel Waldorf Montparnasse *** PARIS
Address 17 rue du Départ
Paris 75014
Phone 33(1) 43 20 64 79/Fax 33(1) 43 35 17 52
Website http://www.hotel-paris-waldorf.com/index_OLD.html
E-mail [email protected]

Please report back about where you ended up and have a great time.

I was travelling as a single lasy and stayed in The Hotel de Fleurie in the 6th. It was 3 stars, AC, and wonderfully located for walking and exploring and Metro. Just steps from St. Germaine des Pres, the Luxemburgh Gardens and so many shops, restaurants, cafes and.....well. I guess you can tell I recommend it ? The room was small (but nicely appointed, the bed very comfortable and the shower great. The breakfast was not included and a bit pricy since there were so many fine options just steps away.

If you are interested in the Hotel de Fleurie you need to jump on it now. Per its website there are 2 single rooms available for your dates - @€164 per night

If you are looking for basic accommodation under 100 euro/night, check the Ibis and Ibis Styles hotels.
https://ibis.accorhotels.com/northam...index.en.shtml
Ibis hotels are basic, but we have found them to be clean, with excellent bedding. And, the Styles hotels include a very good breakfast in their rates. You might look at the Ibis Avenue de la République or the Ibis Styles République. Both have availability for your dates at under 100 euro/night. We have not stayed in those hotels, but have stayed in that area twice and found it convenient.

Is your budget really tight?

I have one idea for you. There is a religious house in Paris. Email them for availability. They are 45 Euros a night, plus an extra 10E for the first night only. Breakfast is included. You have your own room but must share a bathroom down the hall. I have not stayed there. I don't know if it has A/C. You would have to ask. Location is excellent, not far from the Arc d'Triomphe. It might be nice to have others to eat breakfast with. One disadvantage is that you would not have a hotel corcierge.

Association Maison Eymard