Paris: help me compare hotels
 

This will be our 1st visit to Paris and we'll stay for 4 days in August. Want to stay in a hotel located near the major sights. I have narrowed down hotel choices to:

Marriott Rive Gauche (14th arr.): 4 star. Not close to the center of things but near Metro 6 and PER B. Price under $150 if using Priceline. Has good reviews.

A 3 star hotel in Saint Germain area: such as Hotel Abbatial Saint Germain. Very close to Notre Dame and other sights. But facility may be of lesser quality than Marriott. Price also around $150. Has good reviews.

I don't really care about the style of the hotel (generic/boring vs. charming/interesting), as long as the hotel is well located and VERY clean. We are young, fit and don't mind walking. But maybe using Metro everyday to get to and come back from sights can become annoying? It would be nice to be able to make a mid-day stop at the hotel to drop off purchases or whatever. I'm "torn." What do you all think?

I think you've answered your own question. St. Germaine is a much more central location, and will allow for those "mid-day stops at the hotel to drop off purchases or whatever." You'll be able to walk to most of the major sites and many restaurants very easily.

I would go for the Saint Germain area every time. It is indeed wearisome to have a long metro ride every time you go to and from your hotel.

What's with the VERY clean requirement? Are you planning to do medical procedures in your hotel room?

Once I've settled the issues of cleanliness, safety, price and (for me, quiet), the only thing left for me to care about in Paris is whether I can walk to what I want to do and see, which includes plenty of restaurants that are open late around my hotel. I too like to pop back into my lodgings during the day, but mainly I just like walking.

The Metro is rather fun and one of the zippiest of all of Europe's public transport systems. Buses are charming, like your own private bus tour, and it is worth learning how to use them.

But I have never quite understood people who pick a place in Paris to stay where they can't walk to most places, or where they need to take metros or taxis home if they stay out at night. And for a first time visit, you might want to be out walking as much as you can in the oldest parts of historic Paris.

PS: I like VERY CLEAN for a Paris hotel too

Zeppole I think the people who 'pick a place to stay where they can't walk to most places' are folks like us who have "been there, done that" types.

Even in your own words you tell us that the metro is rather fun and the zippiest of all Europe's public transport, so why can't anyone stay a little further out in the double digit arrondisements, where its more exciting and the true Parisian experience?

I don't mind if the room is small. But I'm a little picky when it comes to hotel cleanliness :-)

The other small requirement is to have Internet access.

Who say nobody can stay in a double digit arrondisment? I didn't. I often stay in the 14eme, for its late night scene.

For me, the true Paris is walking, its stellar parks in the historic center, its incomparable urban night life, art scene, concerts and the still-intact historic core. And as enjoyable as the metro can be, it's less enjoyable than walking home from dinner or a taxi, or cutting through the great parks in the daytime.

The Louvre still excites me more than shopping and having a residential Parisian experiene. I've read the loooooooong trip reports of some repeat visits to Paris from Fodorites -- all shopping all the time and lunching, not a single cultural venue, not a single midnight meal, not a single late night stroll home. Not my kind of excitement, and not why I go back to Paris again and again. Hence my advice.

PS: When I think of central Paris and the Louvre as "been there, done that," I'll stop going back.

First, the Abbatial is NOT in St Germain. It is in the Latin Qtr and a more convenient location, but understand what you are getting.

I really think you would not find the Marriott Rive Gauche nearly as convenient a location in many ways. Yes, it can get tiresome when you have to make long trips on the metro, but you won't want to be around there at night, either, so then you'll have trips back to the hotel late in the evening, most likely. You are not going to be making mid-day stops at the Rive Gauche.

If all you care about is good location (by your terms, which I understand) and clean, you've obviously answered your question and it isn't the Rive Gauche.

and PPS:

Staying in a single-digit arrondisement is no guarantee of being able to walk most places of high art and high interest. Just ask people who stay in the 7eme. They take the bus and metro to get around, even if they are young and fit. You have to.

I'm torn because the St. Germain area is a much more convenient location, but I also like the predicable quality of the Marriott. I'm a little worried that Abbitial St. Germain (or another hotel in the same price range) would be dingy/rundown (a few reviews on Tripadvisor seem to indicate that). Small room is OK for me, but dingy is not acceptable.

well, I haven't been in that hotel, but it likely will be more dingy by your standards. There are lots of hotels that would be nice, but you just want something real cheap from Priceline, and that's the hotel that you get on there, they've had it on Priceline for years.

There are other Marriott properties in Paris in more convenient locations, but they cost a whole lot more.

I can tell you hotels that definitely are not dingy or rundown and probably in your budget, as I stay at some, but I won't stay near the Seine, etc. In fact, I stay in the 14th often, but not where that Marriott is. I wouldn't even want to stay there that much, but that's personal. I like the other neighborhoods I know and stay in.

You're not going to be in your room that much, so choose the most convenient location since it's your first time to Paris.

Raindrop: I have a hotel thread for Paris. Type in the Search Box,"Paris Hotels Left Bank Thread" and it'll pop up. The Right Bank thread is linked to it. Happy Travels!

I say take the priceline room, it's a great price, the metro is right there AND you're young and it's your first trip...you will not be in the room very much, nor probably returning much, it's really not that far for walking. The Marriot will probably have good air conditioning and you will absolutely need it in aug.

I'm a fan of priceline and I also like a marriot hotel. If you fall in love with Paris you will know where you'll want to stay next time, if not here.

Aug is a slow month and often there are deals on hotel rooms, so if you pick one of the other many wonderful hotels off of the great thread by guenmai be sure to ask if there is any discount or special for your stay.

Have a wonderful time, it'll be great where ever you choose.

Hi R,

In Paris, we always stay at the Hotel Bonaparte, 61 Rue Bonaparte in the 6th. From 138E dbl w/bkfst. It is just around the corner from Place St. Sulpice, near 3 metro stops and 4 bus routes. Has AC and an elevator.

The staff speaks English well, and is very helpful. The front desk is staffed 24/7

They can arrange a shuttle pickup to/from CDG for you.

Tel 33 1 43 26 97 37
FAX 33 1 46 33 57 67
[email protected]
www.hotelbonaparte.fr

For more info, enter "Hotel Bonaparte" in the "search the forum" box.

You might also find these helpful.

Paris Superthread
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34519236

100 Great Things to Do in Paris
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...=2&tid=1277898

Degas’s Paris Walks
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...2&tid=34712768

Kerouac’s Ethnic Walk
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...2&tid=35095155

((I))

Thank you everyone!

I saw a modern style hotel I like in St. Germain. They have a promotion on the website: stay 2 nights and the 3rd night free.

However I tried to book (for August) and the 3rd night is not free. Maybe I'm not doing something right. I also emailed the hotel and got no response. Can someone help me look into it?

http://www.room-on-line.com/Artus/in...ee=2010&mois=8

I tried above hotel and see what you mean. I would call the phone number on the site and ask.