I am visiting Paris next week and we aren't sure where we are going to stay. I'd like to stay near Montemart or the Eiffel Tower but also want to stay somewhere where I will feel safe. I had read that Montemart is a little dangerous at night, would you agree? We are both in our early 30s, first time to Europe and newly married. We are trying to keep our room under 150 US dollars a night and maybe have breakfast included. I love art and my husband loves history. We are staying for about a week and Normandy is on our list. Not sure of too much else....any recommendations? We have the Paris 2010 guide to help us, but I'd like some other input. Thanks everyone!!!

Do you mean Montmartre? If so, IMO that's a poor choice for first-timers to Paris, not because it's dangerous but because it's too far out from the center of the city.

Near the Tour Eiffel I can recommend the Hôtel de France on the Boulevard de la Tour Maubourg. You should be able to book a room there for your budget. There's no AC, but the weather's just now turning warm in Paris anyway, so that shouldn't be an issue. You need to book something immediately if you're going to Paris next week. Search here - there are literally thousands of threads about hotels in Paris.

If you're only staying for a week, I'd reconsider trying to fit in Normandy. There is plenty to do and see just in Paris, never mind in short trips outside the city.

You've pushed the envelope to make plans for next week. You will do better to have breakfast at a nearby cafe rather than the hotel. Priceline might be good. Not Montmartre as St.Cirq says. Why stay so far out of the "loop". And no Normandy--it's a LONG way, but if you are wedded to it, there are day tours, that are LONG, but they "happen".

For first timers. 4th/5th/6th arrondissements (districts) would be fine. There are few areas of Central Paris that are unsafe, it is more access to sites that might swing you one way or another.

Google a map of Paris, this will help situate the sites and where the arrondissements are.

A very good start are two "live" threads here called Left Bank Hotels and Right Bank Hotels. They list reocmmendations for hotels, and are a good source for names and reviews.

A search will yield the 'gold'.

Hi R,

>I am visiting Paris next week and we aren't sure where we are going to stay. ...... We are trying to keep our room under 150 US dollars a night. <

Hmmmm, why make plans so early?

I agree that Montmartre is somewhat of the way for first timers.

It won't be easy to find acceptable accommodations at that price at this late date.

Try http://www.france-hotel-guide.com/h75012lux.htm it isn't close intown, but it is near a metro stop.

f you can go up to about $185 per night, I can highly recommend 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.

Good luck

Next week..missed that

Also check the Travelocity and Expedia sites. I've used them for hotels. For basic hotels, there is also the Timhotel chain. I stayed at their Jardin des Plantes one, good location

Try this one - we loved it as it's right outside the doors of Notre Dame Cathedral on the Ile de Cite which is in the midddle of the middle - if you know what I mean:

http://www.hotel-hospitel.com/ang/accueil.htm

Try:
www.hotelscombined.com
www.laterooms.com
www.hrs.de

We fly standbye....hence the late plans. Thanks for all the advice. I am looking up hotels as we speak. My husband co-workers recommended Hotel Kensington near the Eiffel Tower...I'd like to stay in a 3 star though.

In France, breakfast is not typically included in the room rate (a few exceptions do exist).

This hotel is 150 euro, not dollars, and appears to have ONE ROOM left for next week:
http://www.aquin-paris-hotel.com/anglais/rates.htm

This hotel uses an online form for requests, but their doubles are 108 euro:
http://www.3colleges.com/

This hotel also uses a form, and their doubles are 95 euro:
http://www.le-sevigne.com/

I think the laterooms thing is your best bet, as your budget is too low for a 3* hotel in central Paris. At least, I don't know of any in that price range which is only about 110 euro. Even the place Ira mentions is only a 2* hotel.

You could also try bidding on Priceline, but you will have to accept some variability in location. See www.betterbidding.com .

http://www.hoteldulys.com/

I stayed here in 2006 with a friend and was happy with the choice.

Think we are going to stay at Allegro Paris Hotel. Any comments on this one?

Try the Danube, the d'Angleterre, the verneuil the Millesime

We just stayed this past week at Hotel du Parc which is a block from Montparnesse.(It got great reviews on Tripadvisor!) It was inexpensive,recently remodeled in a modernistic motif,excellent room and staff. It was in an wonderful and safe area with an ED grocery store and Monoprix across the street along with the Edgar Quinot metro stop around the corner.
Tons of darling creperies as this was the first place that the immigrants from Brittany arrived years ago. Montparnesse has more metro lines for easy access to airports and trains.We paid 130 euros for a triple!
I know how it is to fly standby and this place was great!