paris hotel help!!!!!
 

I'll be in Paris for the first week of July--currently trying to decide between Relais Christine and Hotel de L'Abbaye. Any info would be appreciated: street location in the 6th, general ambiance of common areas and courtyards, room size: standards & superior at Relais Christine and large double at Hotel de l'Abbaye, room quality consistency.

Adrien,

We've stayed at Relais Christine many times. It's got an excellent location on a tiny street (rue Christine) that is just a few blocks in back of Blvd. St Germaine. .

The hotel is about a 10 min walk from the Latin Quarter, less to the Seine, 20 to Notre Dame, about 20 to the Louvre, and maybe 30 min to Musee D'Orsay. We've also walked to the Tour Eiffel from Relais Christine- I think it took us about an hour.

Anyway,we love this hotel, which has been converted from a former monastery. Some of the original wood beams remain, and in the small cellar breakfast room, the entire area is decorated with knights in suits of armor.

Rooms can run the gamut from really tiny, even by Parisian standards to jr. suites that are compact but opulent. There are some particularly lovely rooms that face the garden, but those are often booked up fast.

All the rooms have excellent soundproofing and airconditioning, extremely comfortable beds, and luxurious bathrooms outfitted with lots of fine bath products, etc.

The only problem ( and it is a problem) that I can think of is that the prices for this hotel keep going up, but if it's within your budget, Relais Christine is a wonderful place to return to after a day of sightseeing in Paris.

Many years ago - in the 70's, actually - I stayed in the Hotel de L'Abbaye, but, as I recall, it was near Montmartre, on the same ave. where the Moulin Rouge stands. Have they changed locations??

Thank you Weadles-- for the info. Relais Christine has gotten quite pricey. We would probably opt for the standard room which runs about 360E(not including taxes and breakfast)with the expectation that our room will be small but do-able-- Is their continental breakfast (20E per person) worth having or is it best to go elsewhere? Also, is the garden open to all guests or only to those whose rooms open onto it?

The other consideration, Hotel de l'Abbaye (on rue Cassette in the 6th), is more economical (330E for a large double with breakfast included- not taxes). It has gotten good reviews in Trip Advisor-- but would like to hear more

After much research and with help from Fodorites, we just booked the Hotel Henri IV Rive Gauche, which gets excellent reviews on TA. Our next choice would have been Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais.

L'abbaye is an excellent hotel. They have quite a following, so I would check to see if they even have space available for you.

Thank you for the recommendation hdm-- However, I was not clear. I meant more about Hotel de L'Abbaye.

They do have availability--

Sorry, adrien -- I didn't read your post carefully.

We stayed at Hotel de L'Abbaye in June and liked it very much. We had room #3, large and newly decorated. The person who checked us in said it was the best room in the hotel and I believe him. If you decide to stay at this hotel, ask for this room.

The location is good and the staff is very friendly. It is also located on a small street.

adrien,

I wouldn't bother w/ breakfast at those prices! Walk out of the hotel, take a left out to rue Dauphine, and you will find many excellent small patisseries/cafes.

Judi-
Was that room a large double?

Yes, adrien, it was a large double.

The common areas of the Hotel de l'Abbaye are beautiful. Room #18 is a deluxe double with a fantastic new bathroom with separate shower. Really enjoyed my recent stay there. Patio is lovely, too for cocktails, breakfast, etc.

Although if you don't wince at 360E, 20E is chicken feed.

True, but there's much better "chicken feed" to eat for 20E along rue dauphine or at one of the cafes on Blvd. St. Germaine.

Hotel de l'Abbaye is my favorite hotel in Paris and the one I always stayed at before beginning to rent apartments. The standard rooms are small, as I assume you know, while the large doubles are very comfortable, and I seem to recall have access to a balcony or terrace.

The common areas are lovely and the rooms very nicely decorated. There is a beautiful terrasse for breakfast or afternoon tea/drinks/snacks which should be very welcome in July.

The service has always been exceptional and the same employees remain year after year and greet return visitors with pleasure, a nice feeling when checking into a hotel. I recommend it highly. Friends who have stayed at the Relais Christine have complained that the rooms are inconsistent.

I also prefer the area near Saint Sulpice to the busier one around Relais Christine, but others like to walk out and be in the midst of the tourist activity.

With all the responses which have been so helpful--- I seem to be leaning towards Hotel de l'Abbaye.