paris hotel delemas !!
Dec 23rd, 2009 | 08:30 PM
#62
Original Poster
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 155
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Guenmai , thats an invaluable thread ! I think I may have discovered another contender as a result of the information contained within it.
The Grand Hotel Saint-Michel in the 5th looks fantastic and is within the budget!
My only worry when booking any of these hotels online is that when you book the lowest possible rate, then maybe you are more likely to get that room in a dark corner that they have trouble booking out.
I wonder of in all cases is better to pick a room that is the next category up - like rather than standard double, so got deluxe double...etc ?
The Grand Hotel Saint-Michel in the 5th looks fantastic and is within the budget!
My only worry when booking any of these hotels online is that when you book the lowest possible rate, then maybe you are more likely to get that room in a dark corner that they have trouble booking out.
I wonder of in all cases is better to pick a room that is the next category up - like rather than standard double, so got deluxe double...etc ?
Dec 24th, 2009 | 05:22 AM
#64
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,654
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I go along with hpeabody, nini and Aleta, re the Hotel des Grandes Ecoles. We loved it - possibly the most charming hotel we have stayed in! I wrote about it in my trip report two years ago:
We take the metro across town to Rue du Cardinal Lemoine. We knew there would be a slight uphill dragging of cases and in restrospect could have waited at the bottom and caught a bus up the hill which turns off into Rue Clovis almost on the doorstep of our next and last home for two nights, Hotel Des Grandes Ecoles, 75 rue Du Cardinal Lemoine in the 5th arr.
We are too early for the room but the gracious receptionist takes leave of our suitcases and places them near her large desk while we check in.
We are seated in two armchairs in front of her desk and feel as if we are about to be interviewed for a job!
She is the most fascinating woman.
Speaking in a fairly high but melodic voice which fluctuates with the raising and lowering of her eyebrows, we hand over the necessary details and pay the bill at the same time. Much eyebrow raising here before handing over the key to our gorgeous garden room.
We say 'Au revoir' to Madam and thank her profusely for looking after our stuff before heading down the driveway and back down to the metro.
Next Day -
Taking it easy this particular morning we started out around 10am.
Our room at Hotel des Grandes Ecoles, 75 Rue Cardinal Lemoine, was decorated in an intense floral wallpaper & unusual cotton lace bedcovers. A very nice lower floor room, leading directly onto the pretty garden.
WELCOMED BY ANGELIC VOICES
I was the first to leave our room in the morning, leaving DH to take a leisurely shower.
As I stepped out of the French doors a loud chorus of childrens voices burst into song, accompanied by ferocious playing of a piano!
Whats this?! A special kind of hotel 'good morning' to guests awakening to a glorious sunny morning?
No dear, just the school next door having singing practice. Oh well, I did feel special for that split second or two!
Sitting and waiting in the lovely setting with a number of other guest all enjoying breakfast I was able to enjoy the lovely singing interjected every now and then by a mans voice giving intructions.
Tony, this beautiful little hotel is not like being near the bustling life one finds nearer the Seine....
But, the outlook (which you mentioned) is delightful if you insist you only want to book a 'garden view' room (ours was ground floor). I was also wondering about February and their garden?? Could it look less attractive without it's sunny umbrellas and cascading flower pots??
I had no trouble at all with my booking direct with hotel - remember, cancelling is easy as they do not put your credit card through unless you don't pitch.
We take the metro across town to Rue du Cardinal Lemoine. We knew there would be a slight uphill dragging of cases and in restrospect could have waited at the bottom and caught a bus up the hill which turns off into Rue Clovis almost on the doorstep of our next and last home for two nights, Hotel Des Grandes Ecoles, 75 rue Du Cardinal Lemoine in the 5th arr.
We are too early for the room but the gracious receptionist takes leave of our suitcases and places them near her large desk while we check in.
We are seated in two armchairs in front of her desk and feel as if we are about to be interviewed for a job!
She is the most fascinating woman.
Speaking in a fairly high but melodic voice which fluctuates with the raising and lowering of her eyebrows, we hand over the necessary details and pay the bill at the same time. Much eyebrow raising here before handing over the key to our gorgeous garden room.
We say 'Au revoir' to Madam and thank her profusely for looking after our stuff before heading down the driveway and back down to the metro.
Next Day -
Taking it easy this particular morning we started out around 10am.
Our room at Hotel des Grandes Ecoles, 75 Rue Cardinal Lemoine, was decorated in an intense floral wallpaper & unusual cotton lace bedcovers. A very nice lower floor room, leading directly onto the pretty garden.
WELCOMED BY ANGELIC VOICES
I was the first to leave our room in the morning, leaving DH to take a leisurely shower.
As I stepped out of the French doors a loud chorus of childrens voices burst into song, accompanied by ferocious playing of a piano!
Whats this?! A special kind of hotel 'good morning' to guests awakening to a glorious sunny morning?
No dear, just the school next door having singing practice. Oh well, I did feel special for that split second or two!
Sitting and waiting in the lovely setting with a number of other guest all enjoying breakfast I was able to enjoy the lovely singing interjected every now and then by a mans voice giving intructions.
Tony, this beautiful little hotel is not like being near the bustling life one finds nearer the Seine....
But, the outlook (which you mentioned) is delightful if you insist you only want to book a 'garden view' room (ours was ground floor). I was also wondering about February and their garden?? Could it look less attractive without it's sunny umbrellas and cascading flower pots??
I had no trouble at all with my booking direct with hotel - remember, cancelling is easy as they do not put your credit card through unless you don't pitch.
Dec 24th, 2009 | 06:42 AM
#65
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 0
tony, apologies if this has already been suggested...
Use google maps to check out the address of the hotel and then switch to streetview and walk down the street, get 360 views of the surroundings, look up and down the buildings. Its a blast and will give you an idea of whether streets are wide or narrow and what else is in the area.
When I can't really go to Paris I like to "stroll" down the streets virtually.
Ann Marie
Use google maps to check out the address of the hotel and then switch to streetview and walk down the street, get 360 views of the surroundings, look up and down the buildings. Its a blast and will give you an idea of whether streets are wide or narrow and what else is in the area.
When I can't really go to Paris I like to "stroll" down the streets virtually.
Ann Marie
Dec 24th, 2009 | 09:06 AM
#66
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 24,040
Likes: 6
Frankly, I did not even look at this thread until now because of the spelling in the title.
I have very little knowledge of Paris hotels since I live in Paris, but I will contribute this information that I read in the trade press at the office yesterday about average hotel rates as of the end of November 2009.
Here is partial information for Paris:
4 stars -- 211€ (down 11.4% from last year)
3 stars -- 100€ (down 4.7%)
2 stars -- 65€ (up 2.6%)
And here is the information France in general:
4 stars -- 176€ (down 9.5%)
3 stars -- 87€ (down 1.3%)
2 stars -- 61€ (up 3.7%)
1 & 0 star -- 41€ (up 5.6%)
I have very little knowledge of Paris hotels since I live in Paris, but I will contribute this information that I read in the trade press at the office yesterday about average hotel rates as of the end of November 2009.
Here is partial information for Paris:
4 stars -- 211€ (down 11.4% from last year)
3 stars -- 100€ (down 4.7%)
2 stars -- 65€ (up 2.6%)
And here is the information France in general:
4 stars -- 176€ (down 9.5%)
3 stars -- 87€ (down 1.3%)
2 stars -- 61€ (up 3.7%)
1 & 0 star -- 41€ (up 5.6%)
Dec 24th, 2009 | 01:46 PM
#67
Original Poster
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
Thanks kerouac for bringing up my spelling again. Yes I agree I should be subjected to a public flogging. No doubt you've never misspelt anything before...I think demeaning someone in a public forum is probably a worse character than my dyslexia.
Dec 24th, 2009 | 01:54 PM
#68
Original Poster
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 155
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After all the helpful replies above, I decided to go with The Grand Hotel Saint-Michel in the 5th,
HOWEVER.....I sent them an email to clarify something and they have not responded with 24 hours so I think I will look elsewhere.
Other hotels I have contacted have responded almost immediately so I just cant be comfortable about booking Saint Michel now.
Hotel de la Sorbonne now looking like an option, but will have a close look at all of the suggestions above.
Merry Xmas everyone !
HOWEVER.....I sent them an email to clarify something and they have not responded with 24 hours so I think I will look elsewhere.
Other hotels I have contacted have responded almost immediately so I just cant be comfortable about booking Saint Michel now.
Hotel de la Sorbonne now looking like an option, but will have a close look at all of the suggestions above.
Merry Xmas everyone !
Dec 24th, 2009 | 02:41 PM
#69
Original Poster
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 155
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Tod....Thanks for your info....the Hotel des Grandes Ecoles was on my shortlist but I cant find any east way to get rates for this place. I cant find it on the usual sites and the booking system on their own site isnt very user friendly.
Dec 24th, 2009 | 03:27 PM
#70
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20,022
Likes: 0
If you are still looking, you may want to check out the du Danube on Rue Jacob in the 6th. It is a great location and lovely hotel (but only if you book a superior room). The superior rooms are in your price range. There is no AC but in Feb that is not a problem. We have happily stayed there several times.
Dec 24th, 2009 | 05:02 PM
#72
Original Poster
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 155
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Ok the pain is over! Hotel has been booked ! I went with Hotel du Pantheon because it was one of the few (maybe only) hotel that I could book and be assured of a view of something scenic.
The reviews are great as is the location and a superior room for 165 euros a night fits my budget exactly.
The Grand Hotel Saint-Michel was my first choice, but if they cant answer a simple email I am not going to bother with them.
Thanks for everyone who commented, it really helped me understand what to look for in a paris hotel.
The reviews are great as is the location and a superior room for 165 euros a night fits my budget exactly.
The Grand Hotel Saint-Michel was my first choice, but if they cant answer a simple email I am not going to bother with them.
Thanks for everyone who commented, it really helped me understand what to look for in a paris hotel.
Dec 25th, 2009 | 06:00 AM
#76
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Hi tony,
In Paris, we always stay at the Hotel Bonaparte, 61 Rue Bonaparte in the 6th. From 134E 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
In Paris, we always stay at the Hotel Bonaparte, 61 Rue Bonaparte in the 6th. From 134E 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
Dec 26th, 2009 | 12:15 AM
#80
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,654
Likes: 0
Congrats Tony - I think you will be very happy up on the hill! Do pop into Hotel Grandes Ecoles and take a snap if you are passing, I would love to see what their courtyard looks like in winter!
As you are in the area I want to give you this restaurant tip:
Le Vin Sobre,
25 rue Feuillantines,75005
Tel:01 43 29 00 23
(near the Val de Grace)
As you walk around:
When leaving the Pantheon, go and stand on the corner of Rue St.Jacques and Rue Soufflot for a moment. Looking ahead just across the Seine you'll see the 15th century Tour St.Jacques. On the right the great dome of the Pantheon. A mile away on your left the magnificent Eiffel Tower and behind you the Arenes De Lutece.
You will truly be standing at the corner of the centuries!
As you are in the area I want to give you this restaurant tip:
Le Vin Sobre,
25 rue Feuillantines,75005
Tel:01 43 29 00 23
(near the Val de Grace)
As you walk around:
When leaving the Pantheon, go and stand on the corner of Rue St.Jacques and Rue Soufflot for a moment. Looking ahead just across the Seine you'll see the 15th century Tour St.Jacques. On the right the great dome of the Pantheon. A mile away on your left the magnificent Eiffel Tower and behind you the Arenes De Lutece.
You will truly be standing at the corner of the centuries!
