Paris Hotel -- FInal Choice!
 

Ok, I've always thought these posts were kinda dumb, but that was before I started looking for a charming hotel in Paris. Omigod, there are SO many choices. I'm overwhelmed. So after getting rejected by Grandes Ecoles (I knew I was asking late), I now have reservations at Latour Maubourg (Superior room) in the 7th (Rue Cler area) and at Millesime (Standard or Superior) in the Latin Quarter.<BR><BR>Which to choose? Both get good reviews here (I've searched) and each area has its fans. Can anyone help me decide? THANKS!

Definitely choose the Millesime (superior room is better than the standard room)!!!! The hotel is in the heart of St. Germain-directly on rue Jacob. This is a great area. Rue Cler is good too but I prefer being on rue Jacob better. Have fun!!

Marylin,<BR><BR>I definitely second the Millesime! You will be more centrally located and can explore a lot of places just by walking.<BR>And then, the patisserie Laduree is just around the corner (Rue Bonaparte). <BR>You must try their macaroons!<BR><BR>Don't leave out the Rue Cler area though for a short stroll and for a meal in one of the numerous restaurants in that neighbourhood. Maybe you can combine it, when going to the Eiffel Tower.<BR><BR>Enjoy Paris!

Thanks, francophile and Ursula, for pushing me over the edge. I've confirmed the Millesime.<BR><BR>Ursula, I LOVE macaroons and will try the Laduree. Are they open for breakfast? Any other recommendations for breakfast right around the hotel? 12 Euros for a croissant and coffee is enough to make me lose my appetite.

Marylin,<BR><BR>You can check the Laduree web site at www.laduree.fr<BR>However, I am not sure, they mention the time they open in the mornings. <BR>Certainly not a 7 AM, maybe at 8 AM. However, I know for sure, they are open on Sundays.<BR>Can't remember the price of the macaroons. Must be a couple of Euro (3 or 4). Not a cheap pleasure, but worth every calorie! ;o)<BR>Avoid the famous places such as Les Deux Magots or the Cafe de Flore. You are likely to pay 12 Euro for a cup of coffee and a croissant there.<BR>We paid 6 Euro just for a coffee at the Cafe Marly next to the Louvre.<BR>There are a lot of small cafes in that neighbourhood, don't worry.<BR>A very cute one is in the Passage Dauphine. It's called 'L'Heure du The', if my memory is correct.<BR><BR>However, I'd check the hotel's breakfast out on the first day. There will definitely be more than just coffee and croissants and will help you for a good start into the day and eat light for lunch.

<BR>Well, Laduree added the business hours on the web site <BR>(checked only for the Bonaparte branch though):<BR>Open daily 08.30 AM - 07.30 PM.

<BR>Oh well, I think I need a nice cup of coffee, right now....<BR><BR>The other place I mentioned above, is called 'L'Heure Gourmande', 22 Passage Dauphine, located between Rue Mazarine and Rue Dauphine.

We stayed there a couple of years ago. Loved it, loved it. We had a big room and it felt very luxurious for the money. We worked a deal for less money because we stayed for ten days.

There's a Paul restaurant nearby at rue de Buci if I remember well.

We always stay at the Millesime..we really love the staff and the rooms are very nice! They do have a substanial cont. breakfast..juices,cereal,cheeses , meats, bread, rolls, croissants, and other pastries, fresh fruits and yogurt.<BR><BR>The Laduree Bonaparte is abot 1/2 block away, but I don't think it opens early. On the corner opposite laduree is a very nice cafe, which serves breakfast starting very early. I have been in there around 6:30 or so. It's called au pre clercs or something similar. Further along rue jacob , past laduree, about 1 full block on the right is another cafe serving breakfast. As suggested PAUL is not that far either

Dear Marilyn,<BR>I love rue Jacob, I think the 6th is the best place to stay in Paris.<BR>I have a list of about 30 restaurants I love in Paris, most in the 4th , 5th &amp; 6th, if you would like them email me at [email protected] <BR>I second the rec. for Paul's<BR>p.s. I have stayed at Larour Maubourg, and found the service to be the best I've ever had in Paris-keep it in your file for next time.<BR>Fluffy

Thank you all so much for the helpful info! You are very kind.<BR><BR>mariacallas, how exactly did you &quot;work a deal&quot; with the Millesime? We will be there for 6 nights, then back in Paris for 2 more at the end of the trip, but I haven't booked a hotel for those 2 nights yet. The Superior room at the Millesime is now 190 euros a night (w/o breakfast!) which I don't mind if it's worth it, which it seems to be from the raves on this forum.<BR><BR>I have not been to Paris for several decades (travels have taken me elsewhere), so I'm pretty excited about going. Especially after the enthusiasm on this forum -- it really adds to the anticipation.<BR><BR>We were really drawn by the small and friendly feeling of the Latour Maubourg -- their website is excellent. And any place that includes pictures of their pet gets our vote, although from what I read elsewhere on this forum, we'll get our fill of dogs in Paris.

Anyone know the exact address, fax number or web site of the Millesime? <BR><BR>Many thanks.

Hi Marilyn, have you considered renting an apt in Paris? I used Rentparis.com last year and was very impressed. You get a lot of space for a lot less money and you can live in areas and shop and feel like a Parisian.

For lynlor,<BR><BR>www.millesimehotel.com

Thanks, Ursula.

Marilyn,<BR>&gt;&gt;but I haven't booked a hotel for those 2 nights yet. &lt;&lt;<BR><BR>When I go to Paris to start and end a trip, I like staying in two different areas to get a different feel of the city. You can not go wrong at my favorite Paris hotel, Le Tourville in the 7th. It's very near the Rue Cler and has nice rooms, a great staff and reasonable prices. Go to the Rue Cler early and see the hustle and bustle of the fruit and vegetable vendors, enjoy a croissant y caf&eacute; and just sit back and enjoy. There are a ton of great restaurants within the area.

Thanks, maitaitom. I guess I haven't booked those last two nights for just that reason. I thought maybe we'd stay somewhere else just to experience another neighborhood. On the other hand, there is something to be said for continuity, especially if it will get us a discount. I will check out the Le Tourville on line.

I second the Le Tourville. It's a good hotel in a good location, albeit not as lively as the 6th district.

Anyone have a direct website for Le Tourville? Or did you book through an agent?

www.hoteltourville.com<BR><BR>This actually takes you to parishotels.com, but I believe this site acts mainly as a &quot;host&quot; for many smaller hotels which don't have their own separate websites. Booking requests are sent directly to the hotel - they will respond to you via e-mail. <BR><BR>You can also just call or fax the hotel at the numbers provided, or e-mail the hotel directly at [email protected] <BR>

Again, thanks to all for the assistance. I have requested a room at the Tourville for the last 2 days of our stay. Maitaitom, I just read your remarks on the towns you loved best in Tuscany, and since I am in perfect agreement, I trust I will also love your favorite Paris hotel. (Did you go to the Etruscan museum in Volterra?)

Hi<BR>I haven't stayed at the Tourville but I've collected some comments on it from this forum, and there are a couple of caveats you might want to consider.<BR>By doing a search here or in the hotel Rants and Raves comments you can read<BR>them for yourself, but comments, while mostly very positive, have included <BR> that rooms with terraces face a rather unattractive rear view, though the rear rooms are quieter; rooms vary in size and the &quot;standard&quot; ones can be very small; showers not fully enclosed.<BR><BR>I'm not advising not to stay there, I have no personal knowledge of the hotel.<BR>You might want to request one of the larger rooms, for example.<BR>

A great little hotel with lots of charm in the 6th is the Hotel du Lys, for 110 euro for a double, including cont. breakfast. Thke building dates from the 17th century. It's on a quiet little street, rue Serpente, but close to lots of activity. Metro either St. Michel or Odeon. They recently got a website: www.hoteldulys.com<BR>Rue Jacob is a more fashionable street, but you pay for it, also.

Thanks for posting about Laduree. How did I ever miss it? Looks like a good excuse to go back :).

Ronda,<BR>Laduree Left Bank hasn't been there for so long. Maybe a year or not even.<BR>I like it even better than the other branches.<BR>And, remember, there is always a reason to back to Paris or any city you like. ;o)

Laduree on rue Bonaparte crosses rue Jacob. We would pass by each night and pick up some pastries to take back to our hotel on rue Jacob. Gee, I wish I were there now!

Because I had reservations for ten nights in a row, I was able to work a 20% discount the last time I stayed there. I was shopping for a room because I changed hotels after two nights in a different hotel. They know my money was going somewhere and they had some vacancies. We got a large double room and enjoyed it thoroughly. Just for your info - at #10 rue Jacob is Patricia Well's (my hero) atelier - workshop, where she teaches cooking classes etc. I walked into her courtyard and looked around. <BR><BR>You can go to her website for her hotel recommendations. I looked at many of them while I was there, many seemed overpriced. I think even the Millesime is overpriced without a discount, but I'm a big value seeker. I just can't go the tiny rooms available at many hotels for 100 Euro and therabouts. I'd go nuts.

Marilyn,<BR><BR>As I stated, I have stayed at Le Tourville on numerous occasions. Even the rooms facing the street are very quiet. I don't stay here for the view (when I'm in Paris, the room is the last place I tou can find me when I am awake). I stay here because of nice clean rooms, great staff, nice bathrooms and, my wife adds, great pillows. I have never had anything but an exceptional visit here. I would pass on their breakfast and go to the Rue Cler. And, in answer to your question, I did not visit the Etruscan museum in Volterra, but I know I will return. Have a great trip to Paris.

Hi-I highly recommend staying in a hotel on Rue Jacob. However I have on occasion strayed to new neighborhoods--I stayed in Le Tourville a few summers ago and was very disapponted with the area--I kept walking back to St-Germain! If you are looking for another neighborhood to try, I suggest The Marais--It is full of life--fun to wander through--the stores are even open on Sunday! Best of all you will be walking distance to Place Des Vosges

Mariacallas, I’m a &quot;value-seeker,&quot; too, but since we are spending very little on hotels the rest of the trip, and since it has been so many years since I was last in Paris, I wanted a nice hotel. Also, my other half is a serious photographer with a fair amount of gear and a less than obsessive-compulsive attitude about order, if you know what I mean. The Millesime seems a bit pricey to me for what I can see on-line, but the rooms look decent sized, the location seems unbeatable, and no one on fodors has a bad word to say about it.<BR><BR>For our last 2 days I must choose between the Hotel du Danube (also on Rue Jacob) and the Libertel Grand Turenne (in the Marais). Both considerably less expensive than Millsime. I emailed the Tourville but have not heard back. (Or did they say no room? I’m losing track!) I do like the idea of a different neighborhood, and many people like the Marais.

I'm sure you'll enjoy the Millesime, it's lovely. While we're at it, I'd love a recommendation for a hotel in the Marais as close to the Place de Vosges as possible. I just love that area and the shopping is superb.

Well, mariacallas, for what it's worth, my good friend's cousin has lived in Paris for the past 30 years and he is the source of the recommendation for the Libertel Grand Turenne. He also mentioned the Vieux Marais. I am leaning toward the LGT, but haven't checked here for comments yet.<BR><BR>Tell me more about the shopping in the Marais. What sorts of things?

The rue de francs bourgouis (check spelling) is a wonderful street spanning from the centre Pompidou to La Place de Vosges. It takes about four to five houre to do it right. The prices are much better there than in St Germaine and the shopping is all lined along that street. Granted you can meander a bit and find other shopping but it's hard just to get down that street before rushing to Las Place de Vosges in time to grab a table and watch the sun set on the most glorious square in town. The shopping ranges from home furnishings to jewelry and everything in between - two of my favorite shirt/blouse shops are there near the end. I can't remember the name but you pick out a model and then they fit you. Fabulous fabulous - one is only white cotton shirts to die for. Tons of costume jewelry stores. On that vein be sure to go to 21 rue de St. Peres to my favorite jewelry store in Paris - Othello (just off St. Germaine). The Place de Vosges is wonderful - tons of musicians gather there in the evening -in a beautiful arcade- go early and get a table.<BR><BR>I just like the feel of the marais. It is much of what once attracted me to the St. Germaine area. I also like the Jardin du Luxembourg area but it just doesn't offer the shopping. I enjoy going past nice shops on the way to and fro the hotel. It just adds a certain spice that makes it more... well.. Paris.

OK, mariacallas, you've nailed it for me. I'm staying the last 2 nights in the Marais and telling my husband he's on his own. I'M GOING SHOPPING! Nordstrom has these gorgeous white shirts by Rayure, imported from France, about $150 each. I was hoping to find them in France, where I gather they sell for about $50 each.<BR><BR>Thanks so much!! Will post a trip report when I return, with itemized list of purchases (just kidding). :)

those are the shirts - Rayure. and there's another one just a few shops down one way or the other. Don't plan on them to be that much cheaper, but do get them in Paris rather than the US. That's a perfect memento. There really are NO bargains to be had in Paris. You'll be shocked just how very expensive it is now - shocked, especially at the food prices.<BR><BR>But remember you're in the most wonderful city in the world and good things rarely come cheap, and enjoy.