Paris _ Solo and on a budget...
Jan 20th, 2006, 09:46 PM
#21
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one thing to keep in mind, is that instead of booking a room with breakfast (can be big hidden charges for this) do like my son and I did in Jan 03, and skip the hotel breakfast, we went to the bakerie less than one block away, and had a wonderful variety daily of croissants of every flavor, pastries, and coffee every morning for about 6-8 euros for the both of us. this was btw, in a hotel only about 2 blocks from the arc de triumphe on the champs elyees!
Jan 20th, 2006, 09:52 PM
#22
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I find that these days that if a hotel offers a buffet breakfast (most likely a continental buffet) it's still a better deal than a cafe breakfast. You get a choice of a huge pot of coffee with milk or tea or hot chocolate.
Jan 21st, 2006, 04:01 AM
#23
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Contrary to what Robespierre says, you do not need to eliminate the 1st to the 8th arrondissements, as they are the most central. In fact, several posters, including me, have already given you hotels that fit your budget of $60 a night.
But what you do have to be aware of is that these hotels may lack some of the following:
1. 24h front-desk
2. private bathroom
3. breakfast
4. elevator
5. staff who speak excellent English
Hotel Tiquetonne, for example, doesn't have a 24h front desk, but that area is perfectly safe at night.
While your budget is tight and it's quite difficult to find hotels in central Paris for that budget, there're choices provided that you are willing to give up some amenities.
But what you do have to be aware of is that these hotels may lack some of the following:
1. 24h front-desk
2. private bathroom
3. breakfast
4. elevator
5. staff who speak excellent English
Hotel Tiquetonne, for example, doesn't have a 24h front desk, but that area is perfectly safe at night.
While your budget is tight and it's quite difficult to find hotels in central Paris for that budget, there're choices provided that you are willing to give up some amenities.
Jan 21st, 2006, 04:05 AM
#24
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By the way, to give you a sense for what the area for Hotel Tiquetonne is like, people would tend to think of the seedy r. St.-Denis (with a lot of sex shops, etc.). But I bet most don't know that it's near a covered passage. In fact, I didn't know this until I happened to walk right past it on my most recent it.
It's about a one-minute walk from Passage du Grand Cerf.
http://www.passagedugrandcerf.com/
I didn't get a chance to visit as I walked past it right around 3 am in the morning, but if you visit the link I gave you and click on English, there's a quote from New York Times in 2003 (I didn't verify this): "Le Passage du Grand Cerf is certainly now the hippest of all Paris's shopping arcades."
It's about a one-minute walk from Passage du Grand Cerf.
http://www.passagedugrandcerf.com/
I didn't get a chance to visit as I walked past it right around 3 am in the morning, but if you visit the link I gave you and click on English, there's a quote from New York Times in 2003 (I didn't verify this): "Le Passage du Grand Cerf is certainly now the hippest of all Paris's shopping arcades."
Jan 21st, 2006, 04:10 AM
#25
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Hi G,
This hotel has been recommended by another poster. It is in the 12th, but close to 2 Metro stops. About 50E for a single.
http://www.france-hotel-guide.com/h75012lux.htm
This hotel has been recommended by another poster. It is in the 12th, but close to 2 Metro stops. About 50E for a single.
http://www.france-hotel-guide.com/h75012lux.htm
Jan 21st, 2006, 06:50 AM
#27
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"...hotels that fit your budget of $60 a night. But what you do have to be aware of is that these hotels may lack some of the following..."
So your choices are: low arrondissements without amenities, or higher arrondissements with them, for the same money.
Are you familiar with the English expression "no-brainer?"
So your choices are: low arrondissements without amenities, or higher arrondissements with them, for the same money.
Are you familiar with the English expression "no-brainer?"
Jan 21st, 2006, 06:55 AM
#29
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Yep, it certainly is a no-brainer for me. I'd choose a good, clean, basic hotel in central Paris (within a few blocks of the Seine) over a full-service hotel with lots of amenities further out.
In a heartbeat.
Without needing a pro and con list.
No decision to make.
Certainly, a "no brainer" for me.
It's all what floats one's boat. Paris is the one place that I spend very little time in the hotel or hotel room.
In a heartbeat.
Without needing a pro and con list.
No decision to make.
Certainly, a "no brainer" for me.
It's all what floats one's boat. Paris is the one place that I spend very little time in the hotel or hotel room.
Jan 21st, 2006, 07:03 AM
#30
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Robespierre: Have you heard of the French expression "A chacun a son gout"? I'd think that a know-it-all like you would know this -- "no-brainer" for whom?
Hotel Tiquetonne is a deux pas from Passage du Grand Cerf. Is this not an "amenity"? What sorts of attractions are a deux pas from a hotel in the boondocks, I wonder? And by the way, could you actually recommend a hotel so that we could actually discuss this concretely rather than in the abstract, if you *must* insist that an imaginary hotel in the outlying arrondissements is better than the other hotels within the first eight arrondissements that have been suggested?
Hotel Tiquetonne is a deux pas from Passage du Grand Cerf. Is this not an "amenity"? What sorts of attractions are a deux pas from a hotel in the boondocks, I wonder? And by the way, could you actually recommend a hotel so that we could actually discuss this concretely rather than in the abstract, if you *must* insist that an imaginary hotel in the outlying arrondissements is better than the other hotels within the first eight arrondissements that have been suggested?
Jan 21st, 2006, 07:18 AM
#31
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"Have you heard of the French expression 'A chacun a son gout'?"
Not in that exact form. How about <i>Chacun à son goût</i>? But we agree. My taste runs towards getting the most for my money.
Not in that exact form. How about <i>Chacun à son goût</i>? But we agree. My taste runs towards getting the most for my money.
Jan 21st, 2006, 07:50 AM
#33
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Look: once you've walked to the sights within ten or fifteen minutes of your lodging, you have to get wheels. <i>Most</i> tourists will ride to <i>most</i> sights <i>most</i> of the time. Don't bother with the exceptions.
That being the case, you can stay in much more pleasant surroundings with one additional ride on a bus or Métro for the same money.
I'm keeping my favorite <i>relais</i> in Antony a secret, but check these boards and you will find plenty of people who have found accommodations out on the far reaches of Lignes 4 and 7. Try to find something within a few minutes' walk of an RER station.
That being the case, you can stay in much more pleasant surroundings with one additional ride on a bus or Métro for the same money.
I'm keeping my favorite <i>relais</i> in Antony a secret, but check these boards and you will find plenty of people who have found accommodations out on the far reaches of Lignes 4 and 7. Try to find something within a few minutes' walk of an RER station.
Jan 21st, 2006, 07:54 AM
#34
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I had the feeling that you were going to correct me on my accents, Robespierre. That's ok. I (usually) try not to bother with the obvious, as that usually comes across as quite condescending.
By the way, I know very well that the letters have accents -- I was just too lazy to put them in.
Next time I see you use some wrong accents I'll point them out to you (and I've, in the past, by the way). It seems like you enjoy being educated.
By the way, I know very well that the letters have accents -- I was just too lazy to put them in.
Next time I see you use some wrong accents I'll point them out to you (and I've, in the past, by the way). It seems like you enjoy being educated.
Jan 21st, 2006, 08:04 AM
#35
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Please feel free to correct any errors in spelling, usage, or grammar you may encounter in my writings. Don't hurt yourself trying to find them.
Diacritical marks aside, your pithy summation reads "to each to his own taste." Two "to"s is one "to" too many.
Diacritical marks aside, your pithy summation reads "to each to his own taste." Two "to"s is one "to" too many.
Jan 21st, 2006, 08:10 AM
#36
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I knew that it was just a matter of time before Roby would start talking RER. Sometimes I wonder if he promotes places in the boonies just so he can pipe in as the resident RER expert and give the instructions and link to the site map.
Does anyone care that the OP said she wanted BUDGET accomodations in CENTRAL Paris that is safe? She is also traveling SOLO. She has clearly stated what she wants. Why in the world would you waste your time promoting that she go outside of central Paris to a location that requires a ride on the metro or a bus. That's not what she wants. Why continue YOUR one-size-fits-all approach.
If I were traveling to Paris for the FIRST time as a SOLO traveler that happens to be a woman, I don't want to get back and forth via the metro at night. I'd like to be in central Paris where I can feel like I am in a safe area, enjoy the vibrance of the city and walk back to my hotel.
And, no, walking to the sites in Paris is NOT the exception. For me, it the rule. And, believe it or not, it's the same for others.
Does anyone care that the OP said she wanted BUDGET accomodations in CENTRAL Paris that is safe? She is also traveling SOLO. She has clearly stated what she wants. Why in the world would you waste your time promoting that she go outside of central Paris to a location that requires a ride on the metro or a bus. That's not what she wants. Why continue YOUR one-size-fits-all approach.
If I were traveling to Paris for the FIRST time as a SOLO traveler that happens to be a woman, I don't want to get back and forth via the metro at night. I'd like to be in central Paris where I can feel like I am in a safe area, enjoy the vibrance of the city and walk back to my hotel.
And, no, walking to the sites in Paris is NOT the exception. For me, it the rule. And, believe it or not, it's the same for others.
Jan 21st, 2006, 08:13 AM
#37
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How lovely that you'd point that out. It had occurred to me when I went brushing my teeth.
Now, could you please suggest to the original poster a hotel not in arrondissements 1-8 that you're evidently so fond of? One that fits the specified budget of $60 a night? Then everyone who's reading this thread can discuss the merits of one hotel vs. another.
I do not want to argue with you. Please find someone else to argue with. (Your wife, for example.) Or if you've too much time on your hands, send me e-mail, as I've invited you to do in the past.
Now, could you please suggest to the original poster a hotel not in arrondissements 1-8 that you're evidently so fond of? One that fits the specified budget of $60 a night? Then everyone who's reading this thread can discuss the merits of one hotel vs. another.
I do not want to argue with you. Please find someone else to argue with. (Your wife, for example.) Or if you've too much time on your hands, send me e-mail, as I've invited you to do in the past.
Jan 21st, 2006, 08:26 AM
#38
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Yes, apparently, a certain poster does promote taking public transport especially the metro and RER. I've recommended taking a taxi from CDG, for example, which he disagreed with saying it's just too expensive. But sometimes convenience is worth the extra euro.
Jan 21st, 2006, 08:27 AM
#39
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beijing wants something clean, safe, central, with ensuite bath, for $60.
Everyone here has been suggesting compromises s/he will have to make, because the criteria as stated are not easily (if at all) attainable. I have offered mine.
<i>p.s.</i> It takes a little over an hour to walk from the Place de l'École Militaire to Rue St-Louis. Père Lachaise cemetery is almost an hour from Notre Dame. Walking in Paris is delightful, but if one's time is limited, public transport is a better choice.
Everyone here has been suggesting compromises s/he will have to make, because the criteria as stated are not easily (if at all) attainable. I have offered mine.
<i>p.s.</i> It takes a little over an hour to walk from the Place de l'École Militaire to Rue St-Louis. Père Lachaise cemetery is almost an hour from Notre Dame. Walking in Paris is delightful, but if one's time is limited, public transport is a better choice.
