I think if I were staying for two full weeks, I'd have to look into an apartment. A week's rental fee is less than €100 a night for 7 nights. I just found one privately owned by someone in the UK as a retirement investment. It is a one bedroom with a queen bed with a sleeper sofa in the living room. It is completely furnished including washer and dryer. It also has a balcony, is on the 6th floor with a lift. The balcony even has patio furniture for taking meals outside. It is located in the St Martin Canal area, what I understand to be an up and coming, trendy place. The rental is only €450 per week. If you are interested, reply, and I will dig up the website. I cancelled when I decided to go to Tours instead.

YOu guys are the best. I'd love to stay at the Champs du Mar but I have already tried them and they are already booked for the first 2 weeks in Sept. "Crepes a go go" I would love to check out your tip on the apt. The price sure sounds great. We're 2 women who love to go out at night and would like to stay in a safe area where we can walk out of our hotel or apt. and be able to walk to jazz bars, cafe's etc. without having to worry about taking the Metro home late at night. We want to experience living in Paris even if it is only for 2 weeks. So what would be the best area to stay in?

"Crepes a go go" could you please give me the info about that aparmtment you mentioned earlier. Thankyou.

Redd - email me at this address, and I will connect you: [email protected]

It appears that Hotel du Champ de Mars just seems too popular-overrated too(Rick Steves). You can try Hotel Muguet which at least has more availability-but you have to book a bit in advance although not like with the Champ de Mars. I know, the Muguet is listed as another R. Steves pick. I've never stayed at either hotel but the Muguet appears nicer in some ways than the Champ de Mars.

Where is the St. Martin Canal Area? What kind of area is it? Is it safe for single women to walk around at night? Any jazz bars closeby. We want to enjoy a taste of parisian life.

Budget Travel magazine has an article about the St. Martin canal area. I don't have it in front of me but I think it's in the 10th district. It was described as a new, interesting area.

We wanted to stay at the Muguet, but a double was 97 euros per night, which was not in our price range at the time, and it certainly is not now! Today 97 euros is $120.30 (I just checked the rate), and that is not what I would call cheap. Of course, everyone has a different definition of cheap, so maybe it could an option for you. I like the looks of it on the website.

ilovelabs, did you book a hotel yet?... was reading your earlier posts...

travelnut,

Yes, we booked Champs de Mars in December b/c we knew it would fill up. We wanted to pay under $100 a night, and Muguet was too expensive for us.

Oops, I mean Champ de Mars!

Who IS clouclou anyway? A travel agent? A Paris resident? Does anyone ever stay at any of the recommendations? Does CLOUCLOU stay at any of the recommendations or just hawk them? Curious.

OK..just wonderin'... have fun!

try the excelsior in the 5th. easy to get to and in between two subway stops. a travel party of 10 of us stayed there at christmas. it is cheap, clean and adequate. i would rather spend money on good food and wine instead. www.excelsiorlatin.com

Well thanks to you guys I have narrowed it down to:

Hotel Champs De Mars 76 Euro
HOtel Monge 95 Euro
Hotel Muget 105 Euro
Hotel de France 88 Euro
Hotel St. Andres des Artes 87 Euro
Hotel St. Jacques 112 Euro
HOtel Saint Thomas D'Aquin 120 Euro

I have availability at all of these but now I am really in a dilema----Which one to book. Need your help and advice.

Unless you are in top shape physically, I'd leave off St Andre des Arts. The tiniest million winding stairs! Stayed there for 3 nights my last trip, and it was a cheap hotel that was cheap in every way. Our room was dusty, sheets the density of cheesecloth and a bathroom so small, everytime I moved, the door flew open. Also, out of three lamps, only one had a bulb. The carpet had about 100 years of grime ground in. The walls were thinner than paper. The owner was haughty and condescending. Finally, upon checkout, a nice college girl was manning the desk. She told me in a whisper that if I ever wanted to come back, when calling for a reservation to specify that I only wanted first floor, second floor at the very least. She said unless you badger him, he will give you a room at the top which are not nice rooms. This was her description. I think she felt sorry for us.

Reddvelvet, I'd choose from the Muguet, Hotel de France, and St. Thomas d'Aquin. The last one is in St. Germain in a very good location too. Haven't been to any but if it were me those are the ones I'd choose from-probably St. Thomas d'Aquin finally for the location especially.

Thanks Guys for all your tips, help and advice.Merci,Merci,Merci! We just booked the Hotel du Champ de Mar for 80 E. for double room with twin Beds. Muget sounded great and I had my heart set on Thomas D'Aquin in St Germaine but now that we have added 3-4 nites in Provence we needed to re adjust our budget.

Reddvelvet, you'd mentioned before that the Hotel de Champ du Mars was booked for September, the time you're going.

Just curious but how were you able to get a reservation with them? Did you change your dates? I know it's very difficult to get a booking with this hotel due to its popularity. It seems to be booked months in advance.