Need recommendations for inexpensive hotel, B&B, etc for several cities.
 

2 grad students needing places to stay. Prefer a central location. If you have stayed at a hotel, hostel, B&B, etc. and have a recommendation, we would love to hear it. Many thanks

Munich July 8
Venice 11, 12
Rome 13, 14 ,15, 16, 17
Florence 18, 19, 20
Cinque de Terre 21, 22
Barcelona 23, 24, 25, 26
Paris 27, 28, 29, 30, 31


Christine

Anywhere you are staying four days or more, look for an apartment. Some of them rent for fewer days than a week, especially in Rome or Florence, and I would guess Paris and Barcelona dhas such places, too.

Look on VRBO.com, sleepinitaly.com, airbnb.com for starters. I am not familiar with sites specific to France or Spain.

Ibis hotels are usually a good bet. They are budget hotels, but very clean and safe. I've stayed in the central one in Munich and the ibis website offers great deals for booking 20 days in advance etc. There are lots of them dotted around Paris, lovely ones in Montmartre for example.

Thanks so much for the quick replies. I will proceed with contacting your suggested places. Anyone else have recommendation for places that they have stayed.

Merci,

Christing

Go to www,hostels.com. they also have b&bs & appartments. & you only have to give 10% . We have had some great room only & B&Bs.

I usually book a lot further ahead of time than that - some of the best inexpensive places may be booked. I just looked at the last place I stayed in Venice and it's booked entirely for this July. But try venere.com - they have some good lower priced hotels and are an easy site to work with. When you find something that looks good check reviews on tripadvisor.com The hostels site mentioned above is good too. I have also stayed in plenty of Ibis hotels and would again but in large cities they tend to not be very central locations.

Places I've stayed (and would return)

Paris - http://www.hotel-marignan.com/html/p1_a.htm
Florence - http://www.florence.ala.it/desiree/
Rome - http://www.hoteljulia.it/
Barcelona - http://www.venere.com/hotels/barcelo...s/#information
Barcelona - http://www.hotelcontinental.com/web/

If you can't find anyplace good in the Cinque Terre towns look in Camogli, it's not a bad train ride and there were a lot more hotels to choose from, some lower priced.

Sometimes apartments can be a good deal but I usually don't bother if for less than a week - the hassle of paying the deposit, meeting someone for a key, not having a person to ask questions of, etc - not worth it for short stays (to me anyway), and they usually are more expensive than the cheaper hotels and B&Bs.

We stayed here, in Manarola, one of the five villages that make up the Cinque Terre -
http://www.casacapellini-5terre.it/

Room was basic but had a balcony with wonderful view of the sea and town. No breakfast supplied but there is a small supermarket in town you can buy supplies or visit one of the bars for coffee and a pastry. We had to pay cash on arrival, they didn't take cards, though this was a few years ago now.

We've stayed at these hotels in Paris, on the budget side but not as cheap as a hostel. Both in good locations.

http://www.le-sevigne.com/ (note the photo on the homepage is not the hotel, it's the nearby Hotel de Ville - the Town Hall.)

http://www.hoteldenice.com/ Hotel de Nice, in the Marais district.

This place in Rome was OK, nothing fancy, but we loved the location, right near the Campo de Fiori and across the narrow street is a little bakery where we bought breakfast.
http://www.smeraldoroma.com/inglese/hotel.htm

Kay

In Barcelona I've been perfectly happy staying at basic and good value Hostal Orleans. Excellent location, close to everything. Ten mins walk to the Barceloneta beach and in the vibrant El Born area:
http://www.hostalorleans.com/
El Born area: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html

In the high season it would be some 65€ for a double. You should book soon to get a room for your dates.

In Florence, try Old Bridge B&B http://florenceoldbridge.com/
It is right by the Ponte Vecchio, has a good breakfast, and is charming. The rates start at 74 euro. We stayed at the sister hotel Hotel la Scarletta (hotel of stairs).

We stayed at B&B Flavius in Rome and enjoyed it for a budget place. Was south of the Coliseum.

We also stayed in an Ibis in Munich. While not central it was next door to a metro stop and was very convient. Can't remember the name but it was north of the city central and west of Englisher Garten. We found Munich to be more expensive for lodging than expected.

Both were under 90 euro in June.

Regencia Colon was great in Barcelona. Lots more on Trip Advisor.

Look at http://www.homelidays.co.uk/ for places to rent in each city for 3 or more days. Can be cheaper than a hotel and allows you to prepare food, which can save a bundle.

Also, in Florence, we booked Hotel Montreal, which was a great deal. We used Venere or other type of booking agent and they were cheaper than going to the hotel direct.

For Paris, as suggested above, look at Ibis and Etap hotels. I have stayed at the Etap on Rue Dr. Babinski, and it is a 10 min. walk to the bus and 15 to the Metro. The Saint Ouen flea market is a 2 min. walk. For cheaper, there is a Hotelformule1 next door, but it is bath and toilet down the hall. Etap in en-suite.

For Rome,if you are female, try foresteria Orsa Maggiore.
http://www.casainternazionaledelledo...esteria_uk.htm

For Venice:
http://www.santafosca.com/statiche/ostello/servizi.asp
http://foresteriavenezia.it/

Barcelona:
http://www.hostalgirona.com/
http://www.operaramblas.com/

Thank you all for the suggestions. I so appreciate it. One thing I forgot to ask, I am not to sure what area of each city to select to stay in, as some of the searches are by parts of towns, districts, or neighborhoods. We want to be somewhere fairly accessible to transportation to see the sights, mainly interested in the historical sights as neither of us have traveled in Europe before. I would be interested to hear your recommendations. Thankfully, we have friends to stay with in Florence, London, and Munich, though, still need 1 night is Munich that she cannot accommodate us.Along with needing Venice, Rome, Cinque de Terre, Barcelona and Paris. We have all flights and all trains with seat reservations, just need places to sleep. This is an unexpected trip so we are preparing as fast as we can, hoping to enjoy a holiday before continuing on in graduate school.

Happy Traveling,
Christine

I bid on Priceline for a Munich hotel. Won a Marriot in the northern part of the city. It was close to transportation and comfy.

Christine, what is your budget??

CaliNurse,

We were hoping by being careful to stay for two persons from $50-$100US per night. Not sure if that is achievable but have fewer night in Venice 2, Cinque de Terre 2, and Munich 1, and Rome 5, Barcelona 4, and Paris 5. Thought we might skimp on the shorter nights and where we stay longer spend a little more, thinking if we don't like the place, it's only 2 nights.

Thanks, Christine

I haven't stayed in real inexpensive hotels in Paris (meaning less than US$100) in ages, so can't recommend any for that reason, as you asked. I've posted numerous recommendations on here for the same question (for Paris) before, if you want to search for them, I always seem to repeat the same things as there aren't really that many at that rate, which is really low (for a hotel, anyway, about normal for a hostel in Paris). Your idea of $50/night for two isn't doable in Paris even in a hostel. Are you aware that is only about 35 euro for two people, or 17 euro each. I think even hostel rates in a group dorm room are more than that. Even at double that rate, you are talking only 70 euro for a double room. There are a few hotels in that bracket.

Good news is end of July is low season in Paris hotels, and some have discounts, so it is more do-able than most any other time of year. Some don't have discounts until August, but a lot do after Bastille Day.

This is one of the cheapest I know in Central Paris (hotel): http://www.commerceparishotel.com/ It has twins with shower for 74 euro.

another possibility around 78 euro for a twin http://www.hotelportroyal.fr/

Some hostels are even more than that, at least for a private room. Some charge around 25-35 euro per person in a group room.

Christina, I am learning to convert the $/euros, and I think we should aim more for 35-50euros a piece, totaling 70-100euros total. I will check out your two suggestions right away. Our thinking was if the hostel is the same price we might find a B&B, small hotel, instead.
Thanks

Christina- In Paris, try Hotel Central in Montparnasse. It is near 2 or 3 metro stops, small, basic and clean. The link indicates a good internet special 75-100 euros.
http://central-hotel-paris.com/English/Frameset.html
Sounds like a GREAT trip, you won't regret.

Ilana25841, I am emailing your suggestion, it look just right for us. We don't mind small, like clean, and safe. Thanks

Christina, I have emailed your suggestions, also.

We have been looking at hostels and they are running US$50 or so a night for 1 person in an 8 bed dorm, so thats $100 a night. Thats why we are looking at local hotels.

Again thanks everyone on Fodor.s Forum

Anyone familiar with Hotel du Lion in Paris?

We are almost ready to make reservations and looking for comments on the following hotels: Hotel du Lion, Hotel Marignan, considering location and price. Sort of being swayed in that the Hotel du Lion has air conditioning in the room we are considering, and with asthma it helps to sleep at night.

In Paris, Hotel Jeanne d'Arc on Rue Jarente, is in one of the loveliest and most central areas of Paris, the Marais. The rates are $100 or less, depending on the season. All rooms have private baths and a tiny elevator.

www.hoteljeannedarc.com

In Florence, Hotel Annalena, on Via Romana, has inexpensive rooms, some with balconies overlooking a private garden; private baths, but no elevator. It's across the street from The Boboli Gardens, a lovely and convenient neighborhood just slightly away from the crowds, but an easy walk to all important sights. Full breakfasts are included in the rates.

www.annalenahotel.com

I've stayed in both this year, Annalena, 2 months ago and Jeanne d'Arc over New Years'. Singles are very small, doubles are more spacious, but still small by U.S. standards.

Contact realrome.com and see if they have any apartments open for your dates in your budget. I doubt any will have ac, but this is a good agency. My sister and I used them before, staying in one of the Cappellari studios. We had we called "little nun's beds," side by side. Great value, great location.

Oops, my suggestion is for Rome in case you couldn't tell.

Don't know Hotel du Lion in Paris, sorry. Have seen Marignan mentioned here fairly often, though.

Many years ago we stayed in an apartment in one of the Cinque Terre--inxpensive and nice. It was in Corniglia which seemed to be a little less congested than the other towns. I will look to find the name.

Go a lot best values in cities betterbidding.com

bidding priceline usually snag 4 to 5 stars all over

from $80-120 nt might play around for deals there.

Was in the area in May for hostels super cheap

santafosca.com Insututo Gould Florence thebeehive.com Rome

Centricpointhostel.com Barcelona wombats.at hostel5terre.com

hostelbookers backpackeurope.com more for hostels.

eurocheapo.com virtualtourist.com good info from locals

mije.com hostel good in Paris or hotel-collegedefrance.com

for a splurge...Happy Planning,

In Rome in May for me on hotwire.com Sheraton Roma $69

awesome deal for me things are expensive there.

Beware there is a NEW guest tax of a few euros per nite per

person that can mount up so be prepared.

Oh, yes, I had forgotten about the beehive and its sister site, cross-pollinate.com. I rented an apartment in Rome many years ago with two girlfriends from cross-pollinate. It was cheap and in a great part of Trastevere. They have accommodations in Florence and Venice too.

VENICE - "Locanda Art Deco". Very nice hotel, very clean, really helpful stuff, and they serve the most memorable morning espresso you can have. In comparison to other hotels in Venice it is probably the most affordable and at a central location too.

OK now I am getting worried, I have emailed all the suggestions above that I can afford and all are full. So now I panic and start again. I am still waiting on a reply from Paris, 4 places in Venice said full, Rome is done, we have a place there, Might have a place in Barcelona, just waiting on 2 places. Everywhere in Cinque de Terre has NO availability. So I really need personal, or friend of a friend recommendations for Venice and Cinque de Terre, 2 nights in each. Oh, and the friend in Florence that we were staying with is now not so sure, so we may need a couple nights there. This was a last minute trip to see grandparents that live in London and the take a couple easy weeks seeing the major European cities as we had never been to the continent, but between deciding on rail passes, point to point rail tickets, 3 flights between some of the cities, and getting from US to London, we are exhausted and have headaches and tired eyes from the computer. And we thought getting an MBA would be hard.

Ok, that's off my chest, thank you for listening and all the suggestions and recommendations so far, all have been excellent and would have made great places to stay, though some of them were priced for after grad school and when we have real jobs. We leave this Sunday, July 3, and haven't begun to research what to do and see, reserve and tours, or what have you.

Gosh, I am really whining! So sorry. I know when we get there it will be a wonderful experience. We have both traveled in Australia and loved just wandering around and meeting the people of that country. So if we relax and have places to stay, I am sure we will go, do, and see, and soak up the countries cultures, which is the reason for the trip.

Again, Fodor's, I love reading this forum, and plan to have access to it on the trip, so I know I will have a great time.
Christine

I don't know any of these Italian ideas, just know Paris very well. There are plenty of hotel rooms at the end of July, it is low season. The problem is, no doubt, your budget and thus you are limiting yourself to only a few hotels and I guess they are full. Or maybe you haven't heard yet. There just aren't very many hotels in central Paris for around 70 euro for a twin.

Have you seen the website www.eurocheapo.com? I know their lists for Paris, and one of the cheapest Paris hotels in a central location is on there as they don't have a website, the Hotel Tiquetonne. It would be fine for you.

They might have things in other cities you want. Also, you can try www.venere.com as they do have some 1* hotels on there and I think show availability.

The problem with places like Cinque Terre is that they pretty much are solely for tourists/a resort town. SO places like that will be more booked up in summer than big cities which actually have more free hotel rooms because there is little business clientele.

Hi! For Rome, Florence and Venice I suggest 2 sites:
http://www.venere.com/it Very good if you look for hotels and b&b. It's very easy and there a lot of comments and suggestions that can be useful.
Check out also:
http://www.italyrents.com In this site you can look for holiday apartments, I've also read that there's a special offer for apartments in Rome.
Have a great holiday!!!

this place does have twins vacant on your dates, for 90 euor, not as cheap as you want, but it's a decent location and has AC http://www.hotel-paris-minerve.com/English/Main.htm

those twins are right next to each other, also, German-style, but partly that's because the room will be real small.

This hotel in Paris has twins available on your dates for 103 euro, and it is a 3* hotel with AC. I know you don't want to spend that much, but it's just there is more available that I know of at these levels. http://www.delambre-paris-hotel.com

I stay near it often and it'sw a great location in Montparnasse.

This is a 3* hotel with AC that does have twins on your dates for only 74 euro http://www.alizeparis.com/ It's in the 15th arr. which is a bit more out of the way, I'm sure you'd prefer something more central, but that's one reason it is cheaper. It's not that bad a location, it's a nice area, it will just take a bit longer to get places.

Thanks for all the help. I have places to stay in Paris, Barcelona, Venice, and Rome. Still working on Florence and Cinque de Terre. Printing boarding passes tonight.

Christine

Hi F,

For Florence, I can highly recommend www.bedinflorence.it.

((I))

Christine, please let us all know where you end up booking--and, if possible, how you liked the places after you return.

When I visited CT many, many moons ago, we called from Siena to get a room the day we were checking out and heading to CT. And called. And called. And called. Everything was booked, and we were very worried. It was a holiday weekend for Italians. We hadn't factored that into our trip planning. We did finally find a place that was suitable but were furiously making a Plan B on the spot. So be prepared to be flexible.

Have a great trip.

Thanks Ira, looking into it.

Leely2, yes we plan on posting where we stayed, prices, dates, and personal opinion. And working on plan B now.
Christine

Personal recommendations unfortunately won't help when your major problem is availability. Have you tried Venere.com, as suggested above? That will show you hotel availability for your dates and prices at a glance. I've also had friends scoop up some great last minute specials through them. Good luck!