PARIS-first time
 

Could you please tell me what would be the best location for staying in Paris for the first time? We'll be spending a week and are quite confused w/ the options. I was intrigued w/ staying near the Champs Elysees but hear everything nearby is rather expensive...I'll take specific hotel suggestion if you'd care to share...thank you!

Lisa- It depends on what you like from a hotel and how much money you are willing to spend. Most on this board don't seem to prefer the Champs Elysees and neither do I. I don't like to spend money on fancy hotels and prefer good local color. I would recommend the 5th-6th, 4th or 1st (in that order)to friends.

It would be far better to stay in the Quartier Latin. Minerve Hotel has gotten good reviews here, and friends of mine who stayed there liked it. Last summer the price was 78 euro per night. You would be in wlaking distance of the Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, Musée Cluny. I would even consider the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay and the Marais (Musée Picasso, Place des Vosges) as within walking distance. The area has cheap student-type restaurants but also good ones. It is far better than the Champs Elysées.

-<BR><BR>Lisa, check out this thread about the different arrondissements (districts) in Paris -<BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessages.jsp?fid=2&amp;tid=34384211&amp;numrespo nses=13&amp;start=0<BR>

Try this site for hotel listings. You can decide what your expense level is.<BR>The Champs is the &quot;big name&quot; but it is really of little charm--and even a bit away from things you will want to walk to. Many prefer the 5th and 6th arrondisements--Left Bank, Latin Quarter. Lots going on, cafes, bistros, tourist sites.

There are some more modestly priced hotels around the Champs that aren't bad at all -- I stayed in one on ave Carnot which was quite charming and a nice neighborhood. That was the Regence Etoile, a 3* with nice double rooms only about 135 euro and it has AC, sat TV, minibar, etc. I had had a terrible time on the ferry coming from London alone and was rather sick and in a terrible state and those folks were very kind to me and gave me a beautiful very French room with flowered paper, a big tiled older bathroom and tub, etc. (that's on www.france-hotel-guide.com with a lot of other good ones) That was one of my nicer hotel experiences in Paris, and much preferable to some small, basic, bland 2-star hotels with no amenities in the Latin Quarter or St-Germain, where I have also stayed, for example. I was only passing through so found the neighborhood very pleasant with good restaurants and it fun to be near the Arc, etc.<BR><BR>The Queen Mary is supposed to be very nice and a favorite of many (nearer the Madeleine) with AC and doubles are only around 150 euro; the Elysees Ceramic http://www.elysees-ceramic.com/ is a good value and has beautiful Art Nouveau style, and the 3* Kleber in the 16th is highly recommended in some guidebooks (Cheap Sleeps?). If I had a choice, I'd probably pick the Queen Mary just because I've heard so many good things about it, there are some good eating places near there and it's very central. Here's one URL on it<BR>http://www.pariserve.com/Queen-Mary/english.htm<BR><BR>IN short, you can get a nice modestly-priced hotel around the Champs Elysees, if you look and have a good experience. All hotels around there are not expensive hotels like the Marriott or George V and they are not all &quot;fancy&quot;, either. It really depends what you want in a hotel, also, as you may not be thrilled with a 2-star hotel like the Minerve and want something a little more comfortable and nice.

oh, I do agree things are more expensive in the 8th, such as cafes and restaurants, for the most part. There are many other places to choose, of course, including the Marais and the 1st arr., on the Right Bank.<BR><BR>It really depends on your personal style and taste rather than there being one area that is best for everyone. If you care about cost a lot, you might stay in the 7th as it is cheaper than St-Germain.

Hi Lisa first whatever you decide I hope you have a wonderful time on your first trip to Paris. As far as hotels are concerned I would think about the types of activities you want to do and try to stay near or convenient by metro to the area. One thing you will find out is that the Paris Metro is a great way to get around Paris and easy to use. I personally like the 5th arrondisement. I once stayed at a budget hotel in the 1st. Hotel Henri IV 25 place Dauphine. It is right off of the Pont Neuf bridge. It is dead central in Paris. You could through a dart at Paris and it is darn near smack in the middle. It is not fancy in the least bit and often it is booked. They only accept cash. When I was younger I liked this. Now that I am older I want more creature comforts. I have stayed at the Hotel des Arenes on rue Monge as well. For me it fit the bill nicely. You can do a search on Google to pull it up.<BR>You will get tons of suggestions. I would post perhaps activities you would like to do and you might get a location that will suit yourself just fine. Anyway sorry to babble on but have a nice trip.

Thank you to everyone for your help! This is the first time using this site and it was quite informative. I certainly appreciate your time! Lisa

I prefer the Latin Quarter, Notre Dame and the St. Germain de Pres area (areas on the left bank). The right bank (Champs Elysees, etc.) seems to be more expensive and caters to a wealthier crowd.

Lisa, <BR>Why don't you give eurocheapo.com a try?<BR> They have a great site for the budget traveler. they give a great description of each neighborhood with a wide range of accommodations. It really gives you a chance to find a place where you can feel right at home.