left bank accomodations
 

I have posted prior and done some research. I would like to stay on the Left Bank unfortanately my budget only allows for a maximum of $200 a night. As I am travelling alone, I would like to be close to restaurants, etc so that I can stay out later at night. I would love to hear from other solo travellers who have stayed around this area. My experience booking single rooms has been that I often get a room which is tucked into a corner and which is often dark and cramped. I don't need or expect a lot of room (Europe) but I would like to hear from others who have stayed solo and there experiences, good or otherwise. With the plethora of choices, it is difficult to narrow it down. I would greatly appreciate any insights.

Hi Kelsey,

I've never stayed in Paris by myself, but in trying to find any accommodation, I do this:

go to trip advisor and put in my dates of travel.

select the type of room - in this case a double with single occupancy. [you might have to tick the doubles box, but when the various hotel booking websites come up, you can adjust this].

search by area, where possible, and then by price.

when i've got a shortlist, I go to the hotels' own websites, and see if they have got any better deals to offer. i might also send them an e-mail if I've got any strange requests [eg on our trip to Holland, we need a double room and a single or double for single occupancy for my mum, and i want to make sure they get it right].

by then, I've got a pretty good idea of what is available, and i can go ahead and book.

Thanks for your reply. I have done the routine. It is completely different travelling solo than with a couple or a friend. The double rooms are usually nicer and easier to come by. I also find when booking for two, I don't look at location in much the same way.

but kelsey, my idea is that you DO book a double room. I agree that you will probably pay more than for a single, but it should be cheaper than if there were two of you.

and you have already chosen the left bank, where there will be as much life as you are ever going to get in Paris, and which is also as safe as it could be for a solo traveller.

Having said that, I'll leave the field clear for any solo travellers who might happen along.

have a good trip.

PS - you might like to start another thread, which specifically mentions "solo traveller" in the title.

@annig - thanks.

Hub and I stayed in this hotel before the name change and interior update so I can no longer say it is in your price range. The street is excellent!

http://www.hotel-belle-juliette-paris.com/

I will include that my budget is about 150 Euros tops. Thanks. The Hotel Bell Juliette looks gorgeous but way out of my price range. Thanks for the link though.

Sorry, kelsey22. Sometimes they have specials for single room. I have emailed hotels directly and gotten better rates.

Good luck.

Actually, that is a good tip. I actually dropped by a higher end hotel on my travels and they were all too willing to give me a single rate for a huge superior room for that night. If they are not sold out, I guess they would rather have the room occupied.

I travel to Paris solo a lot and always stay on the Left Bank. My two regular hotels are the Hôtel de France on the Boulevard de la Tour Maubourg and the Duquesne-Eiffel on the Avenue Duquesne. It's been awhile since I've stayed at the latter hotel, and I suppose it's raised its prices, but I've never paid $200 a night for a room in either one.

If you add your dates and scroll down and check district 05 and 06 you may find something that interests you. Many reviews for each hotel. Good luck. Richard www.booking.com/paris

Kelsey, I'm almost always on my own in Paris, usually stay on the Right Bank. But the one time I stayed in the part of the Left that I think you'd like was at the Hotel de l'Esperance, near the Rue Mouffetard. I liked the neighborhood and the hotel, very friendly people, and as my budget is quite a bit lower than yours the prices are relatively inexpensive.
http://www.hoteldelesperance.fr/en

Here's a link to the Left Bank hotel thread: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ank-thread.cfm

That should give you some ideas. Also check out some Paris trip reports. Many posters stay in the area.

Would you consider renting an apartment? You'd get a larger space for your budget.

All good suggestions! Keep them coming!

HI Kelsey,

I often travel solo and even when I don't I always want my own room.
I book a double at a single rate and usually look at the room as soon as I check in
and sometimes ask for another. You don't have to accept a room that is " tucked into a corner and which is often dark and cramped". I find most hotels are very obliging that way. I think you should be able to get something nice well within your budget. Last year my friend was very happy at the Hotel de Seine and he negotiated a lower rate that included breakfast. I like that area and have stayed, and been extremely content, at the Grand Hotel de Univers (nice but a bit pricey for me) on Rue Gregoire de Tours and at the Hotel La Louisiane on Rue de Seine( very basic and noisy but have stayed there for so many years that now I almost feel guilty going somewhere else). That area, more or less at the corner of Rue de Seine and Rue Buci, is handy to everything and certainly lively. You can walk to the Louvre, the Musee D'Orsay and both islands. Have also stayed at the Hotel Welcome, on the corner of Blvd. St. Germain and Rue de Seine. It is priced well but noisy. (You can always close your window but I have never minded noise.) There are lots of cafes nearby and you can certainly be out and about at night and feel very comfortable. My experience travelling solo has always been positive.