StCirq

Of course $11,000 is for the whole trip - I can't believe the folks who thought that was the hotel budget.

I like to stay in the 7ème, at either the Hôtel Duquesne or the Hôtel de France, the first a tad bit upscale, the second a bit basic but still comfortable and with wonderful staff who take good care of me. They both have quad rooms. Others like the 4th, 5th, and 6th. I think those are the ones you should concentrate on.

easytraveler

Oh, gee, I thought the $11,000 was for one night.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/01/travel...ngo/index.html

(Psst - look at photo for the Las Vegas one!)

annhig

st. cirq - a quad room won't work, as the OP has 3 grown up children.

definitely 2 hotel rooms or a decently sized apartment are required.

Gretchen

Well, ST. Cirq's idea of the quad DOES have some resonance. When we went with our kids, everyone had their own rooms, but we took a triple which was larger and it was the gathering room for wine and cheese before going out, etc.

annhig

of course, Gretchen, the OP might choose to book, say, a double and a quad, but it is likely that the quad will be full of beds and not a lot else! [we once came across a family room in rural france with 7 beds - there was hardly room for 2 people, let alone 7!]

MMadigan

I used to study in Paris. I prefer the first and the eight arrindoissiments in Paris (spelling). I like it because its proximity to everything walking. I stayed at the Hotel Brighton on the rue de rivoli

StCirq

I guess I shouldn't have said "quad." What I was actually thinking of was "chambres communicantes," which doesn't resonate with non-French speakers mostly, but is a realistic possibility - two double rooms with a single shared hallway. Sometimes there are two bathrooms, sometimes a shared one, but whatever, it works for two couples, four family members, and so forth.

annhig

of course, St. Cirq. they do exist as you say, but surprisingly seldom, IME. occasionally when travelling en famille we have come across them, but more often were put in non-adjoining rooms, sometimes even on different floors!

i do feel that for a family party of this size, an apartment would be the better option.

StCirq

Agreed, ann.

Cathinjoetown

My reply somehow ended up on the Paris Left Bank Hotel thread, which I referenced. Strange.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ank-thread.cfm

So, here's the full thread again and my reply at the end!

latedaytraveler

“If you have been to London, Paris is about 6 times more compact, so you are never really very far from any of the sights as long as you are inside the city limits.”


Kerouac, that’s good news. I loved London. Last time I stayed near Trafalgar Square so I walked to many sites/museums within 1-2 mile radius. On that trip I did not venture to Kennsington and other further areas except on the Big Red Bus (which posters here seem to hate) because I was given a free ticket. The tour did give a good overview of London’s various neighborhoods. The weather happened to be beautiful that day which helped.

In June I am staying in the 6th, not far from the Seine, so I expect to walk to many museums, historical sites, and neighborhood/gardens. The only exceptions will be a visit to the Marmottan and Jacquemart-Andre where I will venture on the Metro.

annhig

lateday - don't eshew the metro completely. walking, even in Paris, can get very tiring, and judicious use of the metro [and buses] can enable you to see more than you otherwise might. for example, if you are staying in the 6th, and want to see the Marais, you could walk across the seine to the concorde metro station [line 1] and get the metro to Bastille, then walk back [you'd be very tired if you tried to walk there as well].

also try to organise your sightseeing so that you group the places you see together - eg Notre Dame, St. Chappelle, and the Conciege - so that you aren't dotting all over the place and wasting time and energy.

jamietall

I am so glad I joined Fodors on line forum. I appreciate and enjoy reading everyone's thoughts. thanks I am still looking!

zago_krebs

Jamietall,

I´m going to Paris with my family (party of 4) next week, and we´ll stay at the Fraser Suites Le Claridge, which is on Avenue des Champs Elysèes. For me it´s perfectly located, subway very close, shops, restaurants, Monoprix market, paul boulangerie, easy access to all major points. I´ve reserved a one-bedroom (one queen bed + a sofa bed) with 2 bathrooms. They have rooms for 4, 6, and 8. So I think you can try it. I don´t know how much it will cost you, since it´s July, but my fare was very reasonable considering all the facilities and amenities (full kitchen + 2 bathrooms + Champs Elysèes view). It´s a hotel but have the benefits of an apartment.

jamietall

Thanks for that tip Zago_krebs! did you book directly with the Fraser Suites?

jamietall

Fraser Suites are already booked! Thanks anyway!

jamietall

I am trying Hotel le Clement. Has anyone been there?

Gina_07

So true, annhig. On our first trip to Paris 12 years ago we waisted so much time and energy going from place to place on foot and sometimes combining attractions that weren't so close to each other. Now, we walk a lot but when it's worth it.

latedaytraveler

Thank you, Annhig. I know you know Paris well. I will definitely check out bus schedules too.

annhig

I know you know Paris well. I will definitely check out bus schedules too.>>

mmm - not as well as I would like, or anything like as well as some people here. but I am a lazy traveller, [some might say lazy person!] and therefore spend a lot of energy planning how to be as efficient as possible. If you are not in any sort of hurry, buses are good of course because you can see out, and you haven't got all that traipsing around underground that you get at some metro stations and "correspondences" [where two or more lines meet].

hope you have a great trip!