Wondering if anyone has any info on the Hotel Tolbiac and its location?? Looking to vacation in Paris this Sept.for 2 weeks. Would like to stay somewhere charming and be part of the local scene. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance for your help.

I checked and there is a Hotel Tolbiac in the 13th district. Maybe this is the one. If it's in the same part of the 13th dist. I once stayed there's nothing charming about this area. I did not like it not for being unsafe but it is where the Chinatown is located. It is a working-class district. My hotel was a budget one just like this Hotel Tolbiac and I left after the first night.
If you can change hotels try to do so as you are staying for 2 weeks. It's really important to be in a comfortable hotel. And if you're looking for a charming district stay in the 5th,6th, or 7th districts. There are inexpensive hotels there too.

Other than mentioning the Hotel Tolbiac you really did not give us enough information to go on.
The 13th is not well positioned to the center of Paris. Personaly, I love the Rue cler area and there are a number of 1, 2, and 3 star hotels all within about 1-3 blocks from the metro.
Tell us more about your needs!
I can recommend the Hotel Derby Eifel as cheerful but cannot relate cheap as a price range.

Mike

Agree that the 13 eme is not very central. We have stayed at the Hotel St. Åndre-des-Arts in the St. Germain area. ..very funky place. Singles run around 63 euros (don't know what you consider cheap) in a very "happening" neighborhood close to 2 metros. Breakfast included in price. We will use it again in the off season, but for the summer months would look for a more expensive place having air conditionaing.

Staff very helpful. Kept our luggage for 2 days while we did a rural trip.

The 13th is an avg working-class area, although there are some nicer parts. The western end of Tolbiac is an area I find rather charming actually, in its way. There are neighborhood shops, some pretty houses, and there is a street market on various days on bd August Blanqui and ave d'Italie. However, the area of that hotel is east of the metro stop Tolbiac a block or so, and that isn't a section that I personally find as attractive or pleasant. It is very near several schools, actually -- both lycees and a branch of University of Paris, but it's an area that is kind of bland, some ugly new highrises and urban renewal, etc. It is true Chinatown sort of goes off from around where that hotel is (going south).

However, I have look at that hotel's web site, and the rates are on 38 euro for a double room with bath and TV. I think you can tell the hotel isn't charming in style, but that is very cheap for those type of accommodations. So, if your alternative would be a hostel or some place like that, I do think this hotel would be preferable for your comfort and privacy. For a two-week stay, you might look around a little more for a better location or more charming accommodation, especially if you aren't looking for only 35 euro a day. Perhaps if you'd state your budget, that would help.

Thanks guys for your info. I am travelling with Silverberri and since we are staying in Paris for 2 weeks and also speding 1 week in Provence we think our budget needs to be under 100Euros a nite for a room that would have twin beds. I travelled to Paris 2 years ago and you guys were helpful then too. I stayed at the Hotel Lennox in the St. Germaine district and loved it and the area. I also hung out in the Rue Cler area. This time my dream would be to stay in a place with a balcony view of the Eiffel tower. or maybe just a great balcony view or maybe a lovely view of the eiffel from a large window that could be opened. Any ideas?

For under 100 euros per night maybe there are hotel rooms with balconies and Eiffel Tower views, but I can't really think of any right now. I think that's asking alot for so little. Usually view rooms cost more than viewless rooms anyway.
But I'm sure someone may be able to suggest a hotel that fits what you need.

Reddberri and Silverberri, I looked into the Hotel Monge (95 Euros for a room in July with twin beds) and Hotel Muguet (105 Euros for a room with twin beds, although I didn't ask if there were seasonal changes). I think both of those are in the Eiffel Tower area.

Have you both checked eurocheapo.com?

I do think the Hotel Monge would be much much better than the Hotel Tolbiac, but it isn't near the Eiffel Tower and doesn't have a view of it. It's just off place Monge/rue Mouffetard. That is a nice neighborhood where you could feel part of the local scene. I think the Monge does have balconies, actually, but not sure if the view would be of anything but the street around there.

The Hotel Muguet does have at least one room with a view of the Eiffel Tower, but it's over your budget and you couldn't guarantee you'd get it. I don't think it has twin beds, anyway. I haven't had great balcony views but there have been several threads on here about that topic (a lot of people have that dream). YOu can probably find them by searching "paris and balcony" or something.

If your budget is up to 100 euro and you are staying 2 weeks, you might consider an apt, although you won't get a large one or one with a special view for that price, probably. Needing twin beds will mean you can't rent the smaller studios, either.

Berris, you might like to take a look at this apartment I researched as mentioned in this thread, although it's not near the Eiffel Tower:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34474758

Hotel la Sorbonne is in the Latin Quarter, inexpensive (80 euros / room) and has a great view of the Sorbonne University. As buildings go, the Sorbonne is pretty impressive.

The hotel is small but clean and the staff is wonderful. There is a small square half block away with lots of cafes and stores. You can easily walk to three Metro stations and to Notre Dame, the Cluny and the Louvre. At the price, it doesn't get much better.

Thanks everyone for your responses. I will check out all of your reccomendations.

3* Hotel Axial Beauborg in Marais is 3 mins walk from Notre Dame. I found it cheap and in a great location - but not sure I would use the word 'cheerful', although I would return.

www.parishotels.com has always come up with goods for me.

I know the hotel Le Regent Montmartre**. It's a good 2 stars hotel, located in the 9th distict, clean and it costs 33 € for a single room.
http://www.hotelregent-montmartre.com/
I also love the hotel de l'Exposition**, very clean, located in the 10th district. It costs 56 € for a songle room.
http://www.hotel-exposition.com/
Have a nice trip in Pairs!

Silverberri and Reddvelvet I stay at the Hotel DE France Invaldes in the 7th. Price 88-92 for a double. I know rooms #403 #503 and #603 have balconies and views of Invaldes but these rooms have queen size beds. It appears most rooms have views but I have not personaly stayed in a twin. www.parishotels.com to view hotel.

We are staying at the Hotel du Champ de Mars for 6 nights the third week in April at 76 euros per night. The hotel is in the 7th near the Eiffel Tower, but I don't know about views. I chose it after several recommendations from this board. I did book this hotel in December as I was told it fills early. That is the earliest they would take the reservation. They only reserve up to 4-5 months in advance. They have a website (www.hotel-du-champ-de-mars.com) and if you email them they will give you a rate or tell you when they will take the reservation.

Happy travels!

Hi, Silverberri! My grandson and I stayed at the Hotel de France Invalides last Christmas week.

We were in room 503, which does have twin beds and a big bathroom with a deep tub. The small balcony directly overlooks the golden dome of the Invalides. Two sets of double French doors leading to the little balcony let in lots of light, so it's a cheerful room. Another bonus is that the room is the last on that side of the hotel, sharing an interior wall with the private residence next door, which helps avoid hotel guest noise.

In the small bar downstairs, you can rent Internet time, but the price is much less of a bargain than you'll find at internet cafes.The keyboard isn't qwerty (American format), but with patience it can be managed.

Overall, the Hotel de France Invalides is a solid bargain, very clean, quiet, and well maintained. I booked there on the advice of a Fodorite regular, StCirq, who knows Paris well and was very pleased with the room.

Oh, and the Eiffel Tower is not far from the hotel. You'd use the Ecole Militaire Metro stop, where there's a grocery store and, just up the street from the Metro stop, the rue Cler market.

Hope you have a wonderful time!

ttp for Silverberri

Well, I'm thrilled that a fellow Fodorite liked my favorite bargain Paris hotel - the Hotel de France Invalides. I just don't think you can do much better for location and price.

It's certainly a lot better choice than a hotel in the 13th, and the prices are great.