iamles

I enjoyed the Hotel d’Orsay, 93, rue de Lille in the 7th. It is a very nice small hotel with about 40 rooms located down the street from the Musee D'Orsay. Breakfast is an additional EUR15 so I went to a nearby boulangerie as coffee was gratis in the hotel lobby.
Congrats on "stepping out of the box"! The first time I traveled solo I went to Rome and the Amalfi coast. I enjoyed the freedom of doing just what I wanted and when I wanted to do it.
Don't bring a book to dinner (easier to have a conversation with other diners) and don't accept an inferior table location.
Enjoy the experience!

awygn

When I travel to Paris I like to stay on the west bank near St Germain Blvd (Hotel de Seine) in the(6th arrondissement) alots of outside cafes. You can walk to the Louvre, D'Orsay, Notre-Dame. Just walk and have fun.


Good for you for stepping out of the box.

Kristalblue

What a wonderful site this is! I appreciate all the encouraging words and suggestions. After reading all the responses, I am now excited and eager to step out of my comfort zone! Thank you.

toupary6

@Kristalblue, think of it not as leaving your comfort zone but that your comfort zone is expanding.

There are many advantages of traveling alone, and I think you'll find most people to be kind and helpful, perhaps more so when you're by yourself.

How exciting to be going to Paris for the first time!

djkbooks

I much prefer the buses to the metro, so always choose a location with several bus routes nearby. Also nice are cafes on the nearby corners.

xela333

Hope you enjoy a lovley Paris adventure, Kristalblue. I got so excited reading the hotel referrals you received in reply that I checked them all out. The Hotel Regent (http://www.hotelleregent.com/ -- thank you bardo1) looked so appealing that I contacted a travel agent friend. It turns out that the Hotel Regent is one of her favorite hotels in Paris -- she says it is utterly charming, conveniently located and has a very helpful staff. Their website is very well done (great room images), and inspired me to book a stay in October. I'm also your age and will be traveling alone, as is my habit. After an initial hiccup on my first trip to Paris (I tried to get a cab from the airport, and my mind and tongue underwent temporary paralysis -- for several minutes I could neither recall or utter one single word of either French or English), all went very well. I was able to be alone when I wanted to, and when open to meeting others, I made several delightful acquaintances and enjoyed many memorable encounters. Wishing you the same. Bon voyage!

justineparis

I am also a woman of a certain age who has visited Paris solo( as well as with friends, family, and alone with children) its a much safer city then most others of its size or even half its size that I have visited,, so personal safety is not a huge issue. That said, do watch your belongings, keep bulk of money and passport either in hotel safe, or in money belt( I use safe) and just carry a days cash with you,, if you are pickpocketed it won't be end of trip.

I have also stayed at the Hotel Le Regent, I splurged ( for me) and got the deluxe room and was glad I did as the standard rooms are very very small, but its a perfect location!! Cafes, market, metro stations, and an ATM right outside hotel door. Staff were nice, room is clean, and bathrooms modern and clean.

I have also stayed at the Hotel Brighton, but that may be out of budget range( i got a deal) .. in the 6th I can also suggest the Hotel Eugenie and the Hotel Saint Pierre( the one by the Sorbonne, there is one with a similar name but in different area) .. both are clean, safe, and both have A1 locations! The Hotel Eugenie is in a busy area, the Hotel Saint Pierre is literally around the corner from busy street , block from river, love both of them.

I also have stayed at the Hotel Place Du Louvre in the 1st,, but is is only 1/2 block from river and you can just walk over Pont Neuf to Latin Quarter (5th) or St Germain(6th).. loved it too..

All these hotels have a/c( I usually go in summer and need a cool retreat) and are clean, safe, and good locations.

Kristalblue

Any opinions about K&K Hotel Cayre?

annhig

Hi Kristal,

where are you arriving in Paris? if it's CDG it's worth thinking about staying somewhere that's near an RER B stop [Chatelet on the R. bank or or Notre dame/St. Michel on the left] - this will make arriving and leaving with your luggage so much easier as you won't have a long "correspondence" to negotiate on the metro.

not essential, but definitely worth thinking about.

justineparis

The K @ K has good reviews,, but its really expensive( to me anyways,) obviously you are looking at places out of my league.. just keep in mind, you do not need to spend that kind of money just for safety..

kelsey22

I am also going to Paris solo. I have been to Italy and the UK alone. You will love it. I did a lot of planning beforehand so I felt more comfortable. My advice is to do a lot of reading and just enjoy - it really is liberating to travel alone. I always had people to chat to if I wanted and made sure to book a few walking tours so I would have company at least once a day. So far I have looked into Context tours and I have been checking into some of the Paris Walks. Have fun!

jayhawkx2

Hi kristalblue,
I'm also traveling to France in late May-June. I've traveled to Paris alone numerous times -- you will LOVE it! I'll be in Paris June 1-11. If you'd like to perhaps get together & have lunch or supper (if you're there then), feel free to message me.

veeolette

I have stayed in both an "inexpensive" French hotel - Henri IV on the Ile de la Cite (extremely small rooms, WC not in the room, really small shower, no heat or air but lots of character). The last trip I stayed at the Citadine on the quai des Grands Augustins - right on the Seine, 1st Arrondisement, kitchenette, Latin Quarter, Louvre across the Seine, the D'Orsay up the road, Notre Dame across the river, near 3 metro stations and the RER, great area. The Citadine also has other hotels in Paris - all over the place. The kitchenette was a great added because I could pick up a couple of things and have them at hand to drink and snack. It also makes it easier on the budget because you don't have to eat every meal out - I love food so one of my favorite things to do in any city is to visit their markets. I love Paris! It's my favorite city. Don't be hesitant, it's a wonderful city with lots to offer. My last trip, I walked everywhere.

Pat_in_Chicago

I've stayed at the Regent Hotel and liked it. The location is great, so close to many restaurants, bakeries, markets and the river and very active at all times. My room has always been in the back of the hotel so I didn't hear any street noices although I don't know if that's an issue with street facing rooms.

The hotel is a short walk (5 mins) to the RER B stop St Michel. If you look around when you get off of the RER at St Michel you'll find an elevator that will take you up to the street level. You'll land across the street from the Seine and would go left if headed to the Regent Hotel.

There's a great jewelry store on the ground floor of the Regent Hotel that sells funky earrings/bracelets/necklaces. Not at all expensive. This is my favorite neighborhood!

Kristalblue

Thank you all for the additional responses. This is such a wonderful site.

Scootoir

Hi Kristalblue,

I have stayed at the Hotel Muguet which was very comfortable but liked the location of the Hotel Relais Bosquet better. The staff there are wonderful and the rooms have features we found missing in other Paris hotels. It is on the same street as the Hotel du Champ de Mars mentioned above. But if I were on my own I would stay at the Londres Eiffel. It has the classic style you are looking for and is just of the rue St. Dominique.

Let us know where you decide to stay and write a trip report.

S.

Kristalblue

Rich
Thank you for the Hotel de Fleurie suggestion...just confirmed reservations! Paris here I come~