Nov Trip to Paris, Need Hotel Advice
 

My SO and I are making the voyage from the US to France in November for my birthday. Yay! We wanted a smaller, quaint hotel around 100 Euros near shops, cafes, and a metro station. Any recommendations? And what will the weather be like during this time? Is walking and using the metro a good idea? Any help would be sooo appreciated. Thanks.

historical weather trends
www.wunderground.com, for one

for hotels, there are many choices
as long as you understand that rooms at that price will be small

for just three suggestions
look into the Delavigne, Residence Monge and the St Jacques
Search on them here by name, and at tripadvisor.com

Walking around/metro/buses are fine
just bring umbrellas, clothes you can layer, and waterproof shoes or boots

I have a long file on Paris
If you'd like to see it, email me at
[email protected]

Somehow I felt compelled to jump on this one with this recommendation because I am 120% positive that there's that somebody there who will suggest this as thinking that this hotel seems to be the one-size-fits-all type:

Hotel Bonaparte - we all like it.

Hi R,

Also enter "Paris and Hotel" in the "search this forum" box.

This thread may be useful to you:
Paris Superthread
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34519236

((I))

That rate is getting difficult for a quaint hotel in the prime areas if it means charming and nice. Not if it means old and quirky. I think the Hotel du Lys would fit that category in St-Germain. Here's a good list of charming budget hotels with good comments:

http://www.jack-travel.com/Paris/Par..._in_paris_.htm

It is a good idea to use the metro and walk to get around. As for weather, Paris has weather at that time similar to Washington DC or NY city.

Thanks for all the help so far. I've read every possible message here about low budget (although nice) hotels in Paris and read tripadvisor, but now I am thoroughly confused! I've narrowed the list down to the hotels that seem A) in a central location for walking or catching the Metro B) priced under 100 Euros for 1 Room, 2 People with a Double Bed and C) are still clean, charming and comfortable. (Alas, Bonaparte was 124 Euros, which my SO said was over our budget...)

1. Hotel Monge- 95E
2. Hotel Excelsior- 96E
3. Hotel Rive Gauche- 89E
4. Hotel du College de France- 93E

Can anyone give me some advice here on preferences, or the pros and cons of each? Location is key, as we are planning to walk a lot, and have never been to Europe before so Metro/bus use will be an adventure. We don't need any fancy hotel room, but would like it to be comfortable and clean and "charming". Thanks so much!

The Hotel du Lys, as mentioned by Christina above, is my favorite "budget" hotel. 115 euro for a double, and that price includes breakfast. It is charming, has a super location, and 2 min. from 2 metro stations-St. Michel and Odeon.
www.hoteldulys.com

I did check out Hotel du Lys, which seemed like a good choice, but they did quote me 115 Euros, which was over our 100 Euro budget. SO is being a stickler, since he wants to have enough money for meals and shopping while we are there. If he'd let me over budget, I would have gone with Bonaparte as it is a favorite here and all the reviews I read agreed. Any other thoughts?

Gee Make

Why would you suggest the Bonaparte when the OP said " around 100 Euros"?

((I))

My thoughts...
1. Hotel du College de France
- best location and reputation
http://www.france-hotel-guide.com/h75005college2.htm

2. Hotel Monge
- a decent location and good reputation
http://www.hotelmonge.com/

3. Hotel Excelsior
- looks like they periodically 'refresh' rooms based on older comments on www.paris.org
- could be noisy, as same address as a Mambo club and a theater
- not many reviews anywhere; could be a good value
http://www.excelsior-paris-hotel.com/index.htm
http://www.excelsiorlatin.com/Pages/USAccueil.html

4. Hotel Rive Gauche
- good location but very mixed reviews on venere.com
http://www.hotelrivegauche.com
---------------------------------
More to consider: (good comments on Tripadvisor)

http://www.hotel-cluny.fr/home.php
Doubles 85€

http://www.hotel-desmines-paris.com/english/main.htm
Doubles 80-89€

Gee, Ir. I figured Bonaparte was only a E69 per night hotel.

Someone just posted this on another thread...
"...Author: susieq22
Date: 03/23/2005, 10:16 am
Message: Hotel du College de France is wonderful. I have stayed here twice in the last 5 months and have had two different rooms one on the 6th floor (a double with a view of the eiffel tower) and a single on the 2nd floor. Double room waw a bit larger than the single room, but the single room had only a shower and the double room had a tub and larger bathroom. It also had a safe in the room and the single did not. The staff is wonderful--do a search on here to find out more info. I have posted it before. Next time I go to Paris, I plan on staying here. Price is right, location is perfect (2 metro stations nearby and also RER station), located on a side street, lots of places to eat and only a short walk to Ile de Citie and Notre Dame. Don't worry about it not being clean, it is spotless!..."

Rachpilaw: I've chosen the Hotel du College de France for my stay in October. The reviews on Trip Advisor have been good and the staff has been very nice to work with, so I feel comfortable that I made a good decision. The location is great, with shops, cafes and metro stations nearby, so it would probably work well for you too.

makemyday: I just got a fax from Bonaparte. 142 euros for a twin bed room and 136 euros for a room for one person

Now that the hotel seems settled, YES, walking and using the metro are good ideas. Buses are good too. The boats on the Seinne are great!
I was in Paris the last week of November, 2003 - 1 day of rain, one cold day, the other days were really quite warm. So think in layers.
ALso, the sun doesn't come up until later in the morning and is down by 5...
still though, everyone was out and about
I think you've picked a very nice time of year.

So, I guess we've narrowed it down to Hotel Monge or Hotel du College de France. I'll leave it up to SO for the deciding vote. lol I am so excited now! We've never been to Europe before so it will a grand adventure. I'll finally get to use that French minor from College. And fingers crossed we'll get to meet up with a friend doing work in Milan for the EU. Once we decide out of the two hotels, I would love to get anyone's advice on great cafes/restaurants/must-sees for the neighborhood.

I stayed at the Timhotel - Palais Royale/Louvre - it was in the 1st or 2nd, walking distance to the Louvre, 2 options for metro stations very close by, and quiet. My room had a little balcony, there was a wonderful cafe around the corner, and the rate was I believe around 70 Euros. Would highly recommend it.

Rachel, with those two, I would choose College de France since you seem really concerned about it being charming. I've heard the Monge is a good value hotel and I know it's a good location, but I don't think the rooms have ever been called "charming". Most budget hotels in that range are not really charming, frankly. Even if the outside or lobby looks cute and charming, the rooms are often modern, bland and uncharming, even if functional and comfortable.

I know someone who stayed at College de France and said it was really cute and charming, though. I think you can tell styles from hotel photos online.