Paris 1st timers: best hotel location
 

We're starting to plan our first trip to Paris. Can you recommend which part of the city is best to stay in as far as getting to and from top sights with ease? Can you also recommend any hotels in that area that are moderate to above-moderate priced and serve at least breakfast, possibly a restaurant/bar?

Well I'll start it off - I like the 7th, Hotel Muguet - last time I stayed there around 120E per night - room is small but price is good, location good. They do serve breakfast but it is extra, maybe 9E but the area has alot of sidewalk cafes where I prefer to eat and watch the locals.

We have booked a hotel never stayed at before also in 7th for our upcoming July/August trip:
http://tinyurl.com/yc3vucp
For a first timer you will be in a very nice area with loads of cafe`s and restaurants within walking distance especially on Rue Dominque.

Otherwise go where all the tourists are around the Latin Quarter or on the islands.
We stayed at this hotel right outside the doors of Notre Dame Cathedral: http://www.hotel-hospitel.com/ang/accueil.htm
Very easy to walk to the major sites - Eiffel Tower a bit far but definitely doable.

You will get many different replies on it. I like the 1st arr best. It is the most centrally located area in Paris. I have stayed at the following hotels and have found inexpensive rates:
Hotel DuLouvre
Hotel Lotti
St James and Albany
Hotel Louvre Montana

I have a hotel thread, "Paris Hotels Left Bank Thread" and also RIght Bank. Scroll. I just topped it a few days ago. Happy Travels!

For a Paris newbe somewhere around the Blvd St Germaine/St Jacques is a good spot. Close to Notre Damme, Jardin de Luxembourg and many other sites and excellent bus and metro/RER links.

http://www.hoteljardindecluny.com/

I vote for the 4th

4/5/6th would be ideal, and give you some walking access to interesting sites. I also sometimes look at a Metro map to give me an idea of how 'hard' it is to get to where I plan on going (if you had to break a tie:))

Most first-timers seem happy with the 4th, 5th, 6th, and sometimes 7th arrondissements. There's no area that's central to all the sites, as historically the city wasn't built for tourists' convenience. It's a small city geographically, however, and has excellent transportation, so with a good map you can group things together for sightseeing purposes and make the best use of your time.

As for hotels, to give you recommendations, we'd need to know what your definition of "moderate to above moderate" is.

I think the 4th and 6th work the best - they are so centrally located to walk to most of the sights. We always stay in the 6th at the Hotel des Saintes-Peres and enjoy that area just off St. Germaine. Check the "Paris Hotels Left Bank" thread and you will find a suggestion for every taste and pocketbook.

I've stayed in the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 16th. For first timers, I think the 1st, 3rd and 5th are the best locations. On my last trip (of 5 trips total) we stayed in the 7th and other than the Eiffel Tower and rue Cler, we didn't feel it was terribly convenient to other sites. In either of the 1st, 3rd or 5th, you can walk to or hop on a direct metro line to just about everything. My favorite I think was in the 3rd, the Hotel du College du France. Excellent location, wonderful stay. We'd definitely return there; I can't say that of many of the other places I've stayed in Paris!

We prefer the 4,5,6th. The metro isn't even necessary for the Louvre,Notre Dame,d'Orsay , Rodin a,d if needed there are convenient stops. I do prefer buses for the most part. I do not like the transportation options in the 7th. To me they seem few and far between.

There are several hotels along Rue Jacob that might meet your needs. Deux Continents, des Marroniers, D'Angleterre, Millesime or du Danube.

The Hotel College de France is in the 5th, not the 3rd. It is on the Rue Thenard.

Thin

another vote for the 4th, 5th, 6th
maybe 1st or 7th

Border of the 3rd and 11th - comments or concerns?
I have found a place that I'm interested in that is located in the 3rd - where Marais becomes the 11th (Bastille). I think it is just before Boulevard Beaumarchais the closest metro stop is the Chemin Vert. I am hesitant to book this as I worry this is on the fringe of the Marais and not near the key Marias areas. Will I miss out on the Marais charm I am hoping for?

I'd vote for the 1st, 4th, 5th or 6th, all of which are centrally located. You'll be close to metro stations and walking almost anywhere in central Paris is easy (and fun)!

4th, 5th or 6th is good- but you ant to be fairly near the river. Without knowing how many you are (1 couple) and your budget - 200 euros or so? - it;s hard to give specific recos.

Hotel Saint Jacques in the 5th, Latin Quarter! 5-7 min walk to Notre Dame. Easy to get around from here.

We stayed in the 14th on our first trip. Not the usual place for a first trip, but we loved it and and the metro was close.

On other trips we have stayed in the 7th and the 1st (twice). In the 7th we were at the Muguet, which is a nice hotel, and we had a room with a fantastic view of the Eiffel Tower. I liked the area, but we preferred the 1st.

In the 1st we stayed at the Britannique Hotel which was beautiful and we absolutely loved it! It is very central, but on a small street so we didn't have noise issues or anything. The metro was just on the next block.

Both of these hotels have breakfast. The Britannique's was much better than the Muguets, but that said, we preferred to go elsewhere and find a cafe and return to it several times during the week.

We stayed in the 6th arr. last may at the hotel st jacques and it was amazing- it was well priced and was very charming, not the cookie cutter type hotel which is what we loved. there is a metro station down the block to take you anywhere you need to go and the Luxembourg gardens are just a couple of blocks away- so beautiful. There is a great restaurant across the st which we went to almost everyday, the hotel has breakfast but not included in the room price, check it out anyways, we had a great time there!

Lattelovinm,

Gotta advocate Priceline. My first trip to Paris was in '82 and the hotel was a very low priority. As I've grown older and appreciate creature comforts, I enjoy staying at a "4-star" but again the hotel is just an 8-hour stop for the night. I booked hotels on Priceline during my last two trips. In Dec 07, I stayed at the Marriott Rive Gauche for $85, yes dollars, per night. A little far from the center, but I still walked to the Louvre and it was a great place to stay with great rooms. 5 minutes from the metro and, in my opinion, riding the metro is a large part of the Paris experience. In Sep 09, I stayed at the Novotel Eiffel Tower for $103 dollars per night. Not as nice a room as the Marriott, but a great pool and workout room. I know you can nitpick and say these aren't great hotels, but they are half the price of a 3-star boutique hotel, have fine rooms and service, and you can pick the area you'd like to stay on Priceline. Checkout a website called Betterbidding.com to see what others have successfully bid and go from there. If a particular hotel, in a particular area is important to you, don't do it. But if you are anything like me and the hotel is a place to crash for 8 hours, save a fair amount of money while getting a decent place to stay.

I wondered about Priceline as I've used it for local trips around the Seattle area and got great deals. We are planning to be in Paris for 16 days...the idea of saving money on accommodation (and not being in a dingy place) is appealing. I don't need luxury, but I need comfortable, clean and in a great quarter. How far ahead of time did you book your rooms? Was is one of the "blind" bookings where you have no idea what property they are putting you in, or did you select a place from the main website?

Phenry,

Been using it for a lot of years, across America and throughout Europe. I usually book about 60 days in advance. I also booked a room in Seattle on the same day and it was the cheapest I ever booked. A Sheraton in Bellevue for $45 per night. Check the better bidding site to see what the hotels go for in the area you want to stay. Always bid low, if you are not accepted, you are locked out for 24 hours. Raise the bid a couple bucks and bid again. You are bidding blind, but get to chose the area you want to stay. If you chose a four star, you usually get a name brand (Hilton, Marriott, Sheraton, Westin). I've used it for a Hilton in London, a Marriott in Munich, ect... You normally won't stay in the premier downtown location, normally close to a business area, but in a city with great mass transit, it is a small inconvenience. I think you have a choice of about 6 to 8 "areas" in Paris to chose. You also chose the "star level" and the page will tell you what star level has the best chance of being accepted, 3, 3.5, 4. You are bidding blind, but I've never been disappointed and love paying 1/3 of the normal price.

ChicTrvlr: Hotel St.Jacques is in the 5th, not the 6th. Happy Travels!

It's hard to me to name a best area for first timers. I would rather say choose a place to stay with plenty of easy bus and metro access. My first time, we stayed in the 20th and it was just perfect for us. Lots of people bemoan travel times from outer locations, but we loved it. People watching is something we enjoy, and when we dined one night near the hotel, it was a very down home French traditional place. Great cider, place was full of local families, not a word of English anywhere. That scenario wouldn't be for everyone, of course, but if transport is easily available, you can easily be elsewhere. Who wants to park by the hotel first visit anyway?

I'll add another vote for the 6th because of its central location and Metro options. Our favorite hotel is the Le Relais Saint Germain at Carrefour de l'Odeon, in the heart of the 6th.

I'm surprised there's not more votes for the Marais - it has a village feeling and a real sense of neighbourhood. I am torn between the 6th and the 3rd or 4th, however, I worry that as you drift toward the edge of the Marais you are going to far away from the city centre (for example, the area nearer the Bastille.) I'd also be interested in Fordorites comments about Ile de St Louis - tooooo quiet perhaps?

phenry, I like the area around the outer 3rd and the 11th. What place are you considering? My last stay was in the 3rd, closer in, by Chemin Vert and Bastille metro--however I found I frequently walked "out" towards the 11th and 10th. However, this was not my first visit to Paris.

I've stayed on Ile Saint Louis before with my mom whose requirement is always "Someplace by the river. As long as I can find the Seine I won't get lost." :) We liked it. It's not quiet, really, but you will have to walk for the metro.

I've stayed in the 5th a long time ago when I was younger. I've also stayed in the 7th. I don't know, the areas you mention are all going to be nice for a first-time visit. Really it comes down to personal preference. I prefer the Marais/Republique/Bastille but who knows what I'll say ten years from now.

We like the west edge of the Marais (3rd or 4th??)

Good Metro and Bus stops, walking distance to many great sights...and a beautiful neighborhood.

Last time (out third trip to Paris since 2001), we stayed at Hotel de Nice, and we plan on going back to it next trip.

http://www.hoteldenice.com/

It's a couple of blocks from Metro line 1 and several buses that cross the river for easy access to left bank sights. Across the street is a twice-a-week open-air produce market for great fruits, cheese, etc. And only a few blocks from our inexpensive restaurant of choice, Equinox (33-35, rue de Rosiers)

We've also stayed on the east edge of the Marais (near Place Bastille) but did not like it as much...not as convenient.

SS

St. Jacques is the hotel Audrey Hepburn stayed at in Charade! Very nice location - we've stayed in an apartment down the street. Less touristy than some other spots.

I agree the 7th is a little out of the way for a first time, although with the days you seem to have you won't have to rush around to the sights.

Have you considered an apartment? If your budget is not tight you can order housekeeping, have a greater choice of locations, more space and more comfort. Even a nice hotel room won't have the same feeling over two weeks.

bookmarking

I have come to love the Latin Qtr and I am surprised that The Hotel Bonaparte has not come up. I have stayed at three places that the Fodorites recommended and have not been disappointed yet. Hotel Bonaparte, Hotel College de France and any hotel near the Rue De Siene Fodorites recommend is the best location or me. I love the Latin Qtr. Right now we are renting an apartment on the Rue De Seine because of elderly parents and that is working out fantastic. Pricier than a hotel but easier for the elderly.

Although this isn't a question about a hotel, it is about the location of a apartment rental. Boulevard Beaumarchais - is it more 3rd or 11th arrondisement? My heart is set on staying in the Marais neighborhood, but the apartment appears to be right on the edge of the 3rd and the 11th -it is near metro Chemin Vert. Would it make a big difference to be in the more central area of Marais? Or are we just splitting hairs here? Comments appreciated

Blvd Beaumarchais will feel like a big, busy boulevard, not the tiny, medieval streets of the Marais, although if the apartment is by Chemin Vert it will be within a couple of blocks of that. In terms of location, I prefer the quieter edges of the Marais to bar-and-boutique-central. I'd rather be on Blvd Beaumarchais than right next to Pompidou, for example, just because I tend to get stressed out when there are a gazillion pedestrians shoulder to shoulder (I exaggerate a bit) immediately outside my hotel/apartment.

However, that's just me. What do you prefer? I saw elsewhere you wanted to feel closer in than when you stayed in Montparnasse. Not knowing what part of that area you stayed in, it's hard to advise you here. I personally consider Beaumarchais by Chemin Vert a great, convenient location on the border, as the address suggests, of the 3rd and the 11th.

Hi Leely2
When we stayed in Montparnasse it was on Raspail near Edgar Quintet. It too was a big boulevard - somewhat devoid of a neighbourhood feel (although there were some cozy streets were nearby). It was about a 10-15 minute walk to the nearest metro. On our first visit we were out of our room for 12-14 hours at a time - our hotel room was far enough away that it wasn't practical to pop back in the middle of the day for a bit of a break. This time we wanted to be near a place where it might be realistic to pop back to our "home base" for a bite to eat or break before venturing out again in the evening. We want to have the experience of being in an interesting neighbourhood with the choice of shops, cafes, and patisseries nearby. We like to walk, people-watch, and drink wine.

I also have my eye on an apartment on the rue de Bretagne in the Marais...how do you think this might compare to the Blvd Beaumarchais location?

I've stayed on Ile St Louis (4th) and in 16th (once near, Metro Mirabeau, once near M Port Auteuil). IsL was very central, and going back to hotel to drop off bags before dinner was no problem. The area was not busy, and had a vliiagey feel, with its one main street, lack of car traffic, nice small shops,etc. Would not say that I felt like a 'local', since it is popular with tourists.

The 16th was out of the tourist path. Nice area, a good spapshot of Parisian life, the twice weekly farmer's market, going to a movie, 'my' cafe with locals popping in and out.Great, but a bit of a pain to go back and forth to central Paris. Mind you, it took me...20 minutes to get to St Paul Metro. But as for walking to any sites...all I had was the Seine nearby to see Eiffel Tower sparkling.

So...I'd say for a 1st time trip, I'd pick 4/5/6th arr. Yes, 7th is fine, same for 1st or 8th, but I think that those three would give a good balance of location, sites, restaurants, ease of access,etc..

The Metro is good, so its always this quandary of staying centrally, versus taking a 15 minute Metro/RER ride. And yes, there is a tendancy to always recommend the popular 4-7th, and ignore the 8th,10th,14th,etc. But...for a first time..

<<I have come to love the Latin Qtr and I am surprised that The Hotel Bonaparte has not come up.>>

Is the Bonaparte in the Latin Quarter? I may be wrong but I thought it was in the St Germain area.

I agree with Michel's post, just above mine. For your first visit, make it easy on yourself. You'd be able to walk to most of the sights from those areas and see a lot more above ground than you would taking a metro every day.

Luisah...you are correct! St Germain/6th

I like rue de Bretagne. Althoughy it is a rather major street so there can be alot of traffic. I've not noticed that its horribly noisy though. What are the cross streets?