need good quiet Paris hotel: possible?
Oct 15th, 2013, 07:33 AM
#41
Re the Metro and "getting somewhere."
Ordinarily I would agree that if you are close to a Metro station in Paris which really isn't that hard to do it solves a lot of transport problems.
But, i can tell you from experience that all Metro station locations in Paris are NOT equal.
We recently stayed at a hotel which was within sight of two Metro stops and because of the line it took us what seemed like forever and several changes to get to the places we actually wanted to see, etc.
Like it or not, there is something to be said for some of those "inner" arrondissements and staying well within them, stylish or not.
Ordinarily I would agree that if you are close to a Metro station in Paris which really isn't that hard to do it solves a lot of transport problems.
But, i can tell you from experience that all Metro station locations in Paris are NOT equal.
We recently stayed at a hotel which was within sight of two Metro stops and because of the line it took us what seemed like forever and several changes to get to the places we actually wanted to see, etc.
Like it or not, there is something to be said for some of those "inner" arrondissements and staying well within them, stylish or not.
Oct 15th, 2013, 10:42 PM
#42
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Poss: Also don't forget to use the bus. I'm not one for subways as I'd rather be above ground, seeing things. I only use subways if I have to get somewhere fast. Plus, I hate doing all of those steps with a painful knee.
Happy Travels!
Happy Travels!
Oct 16th, 2013, 04:38 AM
#43
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Thanks for continued replies. I had major dental appt yesterday (ugh) and wasn't able to play with the Paris ideas.
I think there's very little chance that we'll get any sort of discount at Relais St Germain or de l'Abbaye.
We won't be taking metro: my elderly husband doesn't feel comfortable doing it; makes him uneasy somehow. Bus could be a possibility. Otherwise it'll be walking or taxi (preferably the former).
Of the ones I've checked into so far, Villa-Madame sounds like a good spot for us, and it's affordable-- but the school next store gives us concern. I'm a real noise freak when it comes to hotel stays; quiet is a very high priority for us.
Thanks!
I think there's very little chance that we'll get any sort of discount at Relais St Germain or de l'Abbaye.
We won't be taking metro: my elderly husband doesn't feel comfortable doing it; makes him uneasy somehow. Bus could be a possibility. Otherwise it'll be walking or taxi (preferably the former).
Of the ones I've checked into so far, Villa-Madame sounds like a good spot for us, and it's affordable-- but the school next store gives us concern. I'm a real noise freak when it comes to hotel stays; quiet is a very high priority for us.
Thanks!
Oct 20th, 2013, 07:47 AM
#45
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" I'm a real noise freak when it comes to hotel stays; quiet is a very high priority for us"
There is no total guarantee for quiet as a lot of the noise can easily come from other guests and chambermaids, not just street noise.
Happy Travels!
There is no total guarantee for quiet as a lot of the noise can easily come from other guests and chambermaids, not just street noise.
Happy Travels!
Oct 20th, 2013, 07:40 PM
#46
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I too am a "noise freak" and if Villa Madame had space for our dates I would have gone with it...I too read about the school and would request a room not near that side and figured not a problem on weekend and people seem to say with windows closed you can't hear it. Not sure how early they start...that might be an issue if it is really early. It is better than serious traffic or partying. Please let us know what you decide and how it went.
Oct 20th, 2013, 08:57 PM
#47
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We have enjoyed large rooms and king sized beds at the Hotel Relais Bosquet in the 7th. On 3 stays the room had a combo shower/bath but there maybe rooms with a stall shower. The rooms all had double sinks. Very helpful staff, elevator, many restaurants in the area.
DH & I don't care to be underground in such a beautiful city so we bought a week-long pass for the Batobus. It was a very relaxing way to get to most sights. We bought single use Metro tickets to get to a couple of places but next time we will try the bus.
DH & I don't care to be underground in such a beautiful city so we bought a week-long pass for the Batobus. It was a very relaxing way to get to most sights. We bought single use Metro tickets to get to a couple of places but next time we will try the bus.
Oct 21st, 2013, 05:33 AM
#48
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I just remembered that we had a *huge* room w/king bed in the
http://www.paris-hotel-saints-peres.com/en/ and it had BOTH a tub and walk-in shower.
The problem w/rooms that may have only a walk-in shower in almost any European hotel where we have stayed, is that often they are the smallish rooms, but the hotel above not only had both, but it also had one of the most luxurious bathrooms we have ever seen!
http://www.paris-hotel-saints-peres.com/en/ and it had BOTH a tub and walk-in shower.
The problem w/rooms that may have only a walk-in shower in almost any European hotel where we have stayed, is that often they are the smallish rooms, but the hotel above not only had both, but it also had one of the most luxurious bathrooms we have ever seen!
Oct 21st, 2013, 09:30 AM
#49
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I think it's true that bathtubs are seen as more luxurious than stall showers, and some deluxe hotels/rooms have tubs because that's what they think is deluxe. I said that in the case of the hotel I mentioned I stay in (the Aiglon), their std double rooms have really nice stall showers, but the deluxe rooms have tubs. It is an older hotel like so many in Paris, redone several times, and originally the rooms had only those small sabot sitting tubs (which I liked) rather than a full-length one. So when they renovated, they put in nice modern showers instead. And only the most deluxe and expensive hotels usually have both a tub and separate shower.
I can understand not wanting to take the metro, if your husband is nervous about it, don't do it. It is rather unpleasant often, I prefer to walk or take the bus myself whenever possible, and I'm not concerned about the metro physically or because I'm not familiar with it. In the summer, it can really stink, also, and be intolerably hot as there isn't any air conditioning.
I"m a noise freak also, I hate noise and can't sleep. I always request a quiet room (I wonder if everyone does), prefer higher floors for that reason, and rooms that don't look out onto a main street, if possible, and not near the elevator. Sometimes I'm luckier than others in getting what I want. In expensive hotels, I certainly would not expect noise to come from other guests, but sometimes you don't know until you stay in a place (meaning there should be better soundproofing, not that you can predict how noisy guests are).
Most hotel guests are really inconsiderate in my experience, in that so many people talk in really loud voices in the hallways without any regard for the fact that people are in those rooms. And a lot of them slam doors shut without any consideration, also, instead of trying to close them quietly consciously. Chamber maids are always noisy, they never care about how loud they are in the hallways, even talking and shouting at each other, but I"m not a late sleeper so that doesn't disturb me as much as the loud guests in the hallways late at night or very early when leaving.
I can understand not wanting to take the metro, if your husband is nervous about it, don't do it. It is rather unpleasant often, I prefer to walk or take the bus myself whenever possible, and I'm not concerned about the metro physically or because I'm not familiar with it. In the summer, it can really stink, also, and be intolerably hot as there isn't any air conditioning.
I"m a noise freak also, I hate noise and can't sleep. I always request a quiet room (I wonder if everyone does), prefer higher floors for that reason, and rooms that don't look out onto a main street, if possible, and not near the elevator. Sometimes I'm luckier than others in getting what I want. In expensive hotels, I certainly would not expect noise to come from other guests, but sometimes you don't know until you stay in a place (meaning there should be better soundproofing, not that you can predict how noisy guests are).
Most hotel guests are really inconsiderate in my experience, in that so many people talk in really loud voices in the hallways without any regard for the fact that people are in those rooms. And a lot of them slam doors shut without any consideration, also, instead of trying to close them quietly consciously. Chamber maids are always noisy, they never care about how loud they are in the hallways, even talking and shouting at each other, but I"m not a late sleeper so that doesn't disturb me as much as the loud guests in the hallways late at night or very early when leaving.
Oct 21st, 2013, 10:45 AM
#50
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Christina above sounds so much like me...and even with all of the inherent noise I love to travel...you do get good at requests and in room types etc. It is essential to do research....and yes all soundproofing is not equal. Fortunately France has the best earplugs and I always stock up!!
Oct 21st, 2013, 12:53 PM
#51
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You are a wonderful group of folks to respond in such detail and with real thought. And, mon dieu, I certainly do agree with Cristina. We are always so careful to close our door as tenderly as possible; it appalls me that most people just let the door bang shut. I do think that the thing that annoys me most is the noise from housekeeping: There oughta be a law!
turaj1: I must own a dozen different kinds of earplugs. My husband pops them in and usually doesn't hear a thing. Pas moi!
socialworker: I've e-mailed St Peres and asked them to please send me photos of the room/bathroom that they would recommend. Searching on Trip Advisor didn't turn up much in the way of photos. (Did have some poor reviews, but that's par for the course, I realize.)
Someone recently suggested Renaissance Vendome. I need to follow up on that idea too.
And Relais Saint-Germain has a decent discount for a 4 night stay. It's more expensive than I'd thought to spend, but it seems to get glowing reviews. Hotel l'Abbaye is definitely out for us, way too expensive: In our next life! ;-)
turaj1: I must own a dozen different kinds of earplugs. My husband pops them in and usually doesn't hear a thing. Pas moi!
socialworker: I've e-mailed St Peres and asked them to please send me photos of the room/bathroom that they would recommend. Searching on Trip Advisor didn't turn up much in the way of photos. (Did have some poor reviews, but that's par for the course, I realize.)
Someone recently suggested Renaissance Vendome. I need to follow up on that idea too.
And Relais Saint-Germain has a decent discount for a 4 night stay. It's more expensive than I'd thought to spend, but it seems to get glowing reviews. Hotel l'Abbaye is definitely out for us, way too expensive: In our next life! ;-)
Oct 22nd, 2013, 07:13 PM
#52
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I have not been to Paris in a very long time and am thus normally a lurker. But when you asked for such a specific request--a walk-in shower--I took a quick peek at the website and a place I stayed a long time ago does have them. It is Hotel Ambassador and is a part of Marriott. You will need to do some thorough vetting and I have no idea of your dates or the price. I would not normally encourage an American chain but if your other choices fall through, maybe it is an option.
Oct 23rd, 2013, 12:10 AM
#53
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About the Relais, I only had rooms with bathtubs with high sides. I remember as I have a bad knee!
I'm happy they have a package which might work but do ask about walk-in showers--hope they have rooms with them.
I'm happy they have a package which might work but do ask about walk-in showers--hope they have rooms with them.
Oct 25th, 2013, 08:37 AM
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I was all ready to book Relais Saint Germain, but only deluxe room left is Charles Perrault (#40 I think). I didn't like the fact that there were no photos of that room, either on the hotel's website or on other sites; makes me wonder, of course, why it was last one left.
Also, a friend who knows Paris well (though not hotels) says that Relais is on a VERY busy street, with busses and all, plus being just around the corner from one of the busiest intersections/streets in Paris. She believes there's no way that the hotel will be a restful place.
I guess it's back to the drawing board for me: Darn. I thought I was done.
Want to mention once more how greatly impressed and appreciative I am of the many responses
Also, a friend who knows Paris well (though not hotels) says that Relais is on a VERY busy street, with busses and all, plus being just around the corner from one of the busiest intersections/streets in Paris. She believes there's no way that the hotel will be a restful place.
I guess it's back to the drawing board for me: Darn. I thought I was done.
Want to mention once more how greatly impressed and appreciative I am of the many responses
Oct 25th, 2013, 01:25 PM
#58
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Will check out Lutecia. Thank you.
My friend, who's in Paris now in fact, says Saint Peres is also on a noisy street. She said maybe not quite as busy as Relais, but she didn't think we'd be happy campers there.
My friend, who's in Paris now in fact, says Saint Peres is also on a noisy street. She said maybe not quite as busy as Relais, but she didn't think we'd be happy campers there.
Oct 25th, 2013, 01:41 PM
#59
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The Lutecia is at the intersection of two large, busy streets. There may be rooms at the back but then there's the very early morning trash pick up....
Virtually all hotels in your price range will have double-glazed windows and air conditioning. This can be verified when you make the booking.
In June, you can sleep with the windows closed and the AC on if needed.
I stay at the Clément, a smaller, lower-cost hotel which has a lift, AC, double-glazing, some rooms have walk-in showers. I don't like the rooms looking out on the "courtyard" as they are dark, the coutyard being a large light well. They would, however, be very quiet.
The Clément is on the rue Clément, one block south of the Blvd St Germain, well-located for bus routes. Although a small, one-way street, the street noise is loud IF the windows are open.
Virtually all hotels in your price range will have double-glazed windows and air conditioning. This can be verified when you make the booking.
In June, you can sleep with the windows closed and the AC on if needed.
I stay at the Clément, a smaller, lower-cost hotel which has a lift, AC, double-glazing, some rooms have walk-in showers. I don't like the rooms looking out on the "courtyard" as they are dark, the coutyard being a large light well. They would, however, be very quiet.
The Clément is on the rue Clément, one block south of the Blvd St Germain, well-located for bus routes. Although a small, one-way street, the street noise is loud IF the windows are open.
