Lisa_O

Salut! This is probably just adding to the glut of posts about hotels, but I’m in information overload as I’m researching Paris hotel options for a trip I’m taking with my husband in May. I would like some input on hotels and thought perhaps posting would garner responses a bit more specific.

I started my search with hotels in the 5th arrondissement and liked what I’ve read about Hotel du College de France and Hotel Saint Jacques. Both hotels boast reasonable prices, great locations, and good service. I especially like that the Hotel du College de France offers free wi-fi and is located on a side-street (so presumably away from the noise of traffic at night). I believe that both do not have air-conditioning, so that may pose a problem. My husband is diabetic and will need to store his insulin in a cool place. We thought that a cooler would be fine for it, but now we’re wondering if we should try to find a hotel with at least air-conditioning and possibly even a mini-fridge. To solve this dilemma, I’m also considering the Hotel Bonaparte, which offers air-conditioning and a mini-bar. If someone has traveled to Paris in the summer with insulin, it would be great to know how you stored it (if you used a cooler, was it difficult getting ice?).

So, I would love to hear any personal experiences about the three hotels I’ve mentioned, or any other hotel recommendations. The following are some parameters for recommendations:

Most important…
-between 90-140 euros
-good locale
-close to metro stops
-decent décor (no grandma-inspired rooms…Hotel des Grande-Ecoles comes to mind)
-mild to moderate noise level
-good atmosphere/ambience

Not important…but a bonus…
-free wi-fi
-breakfast included
-good view

degas

"Grandma-inspired rooms?' Hey, at least it was a French Grandma!

So, you need charmimg, romantic, great location, good-value, and friendly? Hmm.... .

How old are you guys and do you need trendy restauarants and a wild nightlife?

Lisa_O

We are both twenty-somethings, but we are NOT looking for a Parisian version of Cancun. I would like to stay in an area that is vibrant but not too noisy. We don't need to be around very trendy restaurants either.

degas

"Vibrant" is such a great word!

In the 6th: check out Hotel Delavigne, Hotel Le Clement, & the Regent Hotel.

realshalott

The Delavigne will cost more than the hotels you are considering, but it's a very very nice hotel but I'm pretty sure the rooms don't have minibars.
This site has some good suggestions in your price range http://tinyurl.com/mkdez
also do a search here on the College de France and the Bonaparte, if you haven't already.

degas

Here's one in the 5th:

http://www.abbatial-saint-germain-hotel.com/

Cato

"My husband is diabetic and will need to store his insulin in a cool place."

I don't think you will need AC in May. I thought insulin had to be stored in a fridge?

Lisa_O

realshalott-
Thanks for the link. I've never been to that message board. And I will look into the hotel you recommended.
Degas-
The Hotel Abbatial Saint Germaine seems like a great choice if we decide we need air-conditioning and a mini-bar, though it's slightly more than 140 euros.

Cato

This one looks pretty nice and it has a mini-bar. Also, what about the Hotel Monge?

http://www.regent-paris-hotel.com/english/rates.html

robjame

Hotel Monge has everything you wanted plus a min bar and AC. It is at the lower end of your price range - more left over for restaurants.

Lisa_O

My husband stores his insulin in the fridge. But the air-conditioning may be a bonus if we decide to just store it in a cooler. Also, supposedly insulin is okay at room temperature for 28 days.

Lisa_O

Hotel Regent looks really nice. Hotel Monge is also an excellent recommendation. It does look like it has everything I want, though it needs an interior makeover, but I can get over that.

Robespierre

Don't overlook Montparnasse (XIVe) for a vibrant "village" ambiance and very friendly prices.

You will find numerous hotels around the Gare Montparnasse that fit your criteria - and the station is a Métro and bus hub for your transit requirements.

degas

Lisa

You may want to get a map of Paris and plot out the locations; paying attention to nearby Metro stations and if they are on busy streets.

Cato

Lots of good options here. Also, check this one out:

http://www.hoteldulys.com/

MaisonMetz

Lisa O - regarding the storage of your husband's insulin. Paris hotels generally have refrigerators since they serve breakfast - whether or not there are mini-bars in the rooms. I'm sure that an advance request to store the insulin in a refrigerator would be met favorably.

Lisa_O

Thanks for all the great suggestions!

taggie

Just an FYI for Lisa - Don't expect North American-style AC.
AC in lots of European hotels is much more "gentle" and might not even be in operation in May. Many properties only run it for June/July/August, or even just July/August.

We stayed at the Hotel Millesime in the 6th last week and liked it... even though the AC wasn't running and we like our rooms chilly for sleeping!
There was a minibar fridge in our room where we kept our cheese for our daily Happy Hour.

degas

Lisa

Many of those places fill up early, so don't delay too long on reservations.

What are your top three choices at this point?

ira

Hi LO,

>I’m also considering the Hotel Bonaparte, which offers air-conditioning and a mini-bar.<

The Bonaparte has a mini fridge (not a bar) in each room. It will keep DH's insulin cold.

Also good for white wine, cheese and (since it has its own key) passports.