Michael Sondergard

My wife and I are planning a trip to Paris in March 2000. We are seeking a hotel room for four (ourselves and 2 children, ages 13 and 11). We're hoping to find decent accommodations at a "reasonable" rate (600 or so francs a night) and would appreciate anyone's insights or suggestions. We're also planning to spend three or four days elsewhere in France, London, or possibly even Italy. Suggestions in regard to recommended itineraries and modes of travel would be most appreciated.

elvira

Hotel Delhy, 6, rue l'Hirondelle, which is off Boulevard St Michel near the river. Shower and sink in the room; toilet down the hall. Breakfast included. You are 50 feet from Boul' Mich' and a spectacular view of Notre Dame. The RER and metro are there also. http://www.franceway.com/hotels/delhys/ <BR> <BR>Visit Versailles, Chartres, Giverny. EuroDisney is about an hour away. Take a boat cruise on the Seine, or the Canal St Martin, which stops at la Villette, the Parisian version of Epcot Center. Rent bicycles in a park; climb the towers of Notre Dame and get up close and personal with gargoyles; there are museums for just about every interest; there's Hard Rock Cafe; McDonald's are everywhere - good, clean bathrooms and a quick hit of America if the kids are craving something NOT dressed up with mushroom and garlic; menus are posted outside every restaurant; cafes, bistros and brasseries have good 'family' fare; good Chinese food; good pizza (don't succumb to Pizza Hut; find an Italian restaurant for really good pizza - get a fried egg on top); Coke is expensive, try do-it-yourself lemonade instead; skateboarders at the Trocadero; American movies are subtitled in French (look for "version V.O."); go shopping at BHV (a hardware store created by gods) and FNAC (CDs, videos, etc.); climb the Eiffel Tower; for creepy, sewers or catacombs; Vanves flea market for cool French junk (books, knicknacks, toys, baseball cards, etc.); watch petanque in the park; go to Angelina's for hot chocolate; wander through a neighborhood where the tourists don't go and buy pastries in a store where no one speaks English; have fun. <BR> <BR>

graziella

How about the Orion, in Place des Innocents ,they are aprtaments , located in the center of Paris near the Louvre.It is like a hotel apart. , no service included but you can request it paying extra. The aprts are well provided and come in different sizes. They are very reasonable too. Good luck

Lori

Michael, <BR>I honestly don't think you will find much in the way of family type accommodations in Paris for 600FF, most hotels in that price range are not geared toward accommodating 4 in a room. Most rooms are pretty small too so it would nearly be impossible. Sometime back someone on this forum mentioned family rooms at a Best Western affiliate hotel, I think near the Opera, but I cannot swear to that. You might call BW at their 800 number and find out if they offer any. They probably will be higher then 600FF tho. <BR>You can also check into Orion Apartments and Citidines Apartments, both have web sites. I would imagine a 1 bedroom unit that sleeps 4 would cost more then 600 as well tho. I am not trying to discourage you but rooms in Paris in that price range just don't seem large enought to accommodate 4 people. You might think about connecting rooms, perhaps try some 2 star hotels and ask for rooms next to one another. As for things to do elsewhere in France, etc. I'd say get the kids in on the planning early on. Unless you have unusual children they will get bored with adult sightseeing quickly but if you let them plan some of it (even if it is stuff that doesn't thrill you) you will all have a more pleasant trip. They might enjoy the Chateaux of the Loire Valley and in London I would think The Tower of London, & Tower Bridge might be interesting for them. It really all depends on what they like and how much time you, as a family, are used to spending together. They might enjoy the Ceremony of the Keys (do a search on this, it comes up frequently) at the Tower ... it's done about 9:30 at night and is really interesting and something their age bracket might like - especially if it's a particularly dark and "scarey" type night!! Good luck with the trip. March will be cold yet so plan on activities that can be done indoors if the weather turns out less then desirable.

Terrry

You might try the Grand Hotel Jeanne D'Arc in the Marais. My wife and I stayed there for five nights last June with our two kids, ages 15 & 13. We had a room with two double beds for about 660ff/night. Clean, 2 star, but bathroom was tiny and it was quite an adventure to get everyone in and out each morning. The hotel is a little off of the beaten path but it was still fun.

lynn

Michael - <BR> <BR>You are doing exactly what my husband and I did this past March. Only his kids are 18 and 19. Two boys. <BR> <BR>We stayed at the Hotel D'Albe located in the 5th about 1/2 mile from Notre Dame. The address is 1, rue de la Harpe. It is a very lively area with tourist, students from the local university and some locals too. Very central. We've actually stayed at this hotel twice. Once without the children last year. <BR> <BR>It is literally only 30 yards or so from the Metro stop. Right near St. Michele Blvd. The family rooms are on the front corner of the building and have a little balcony. We could step out and watch the people below and, because the trees were not "leafy" yet, we could see some of the Seine and a small part of the Louvre from the room. <BR> <BR>It was about $150US (approx. 950FF) per night. Full bathroom (not really big but it works), safe, mini-frig. Highly recommend. The location in relationship to all the other sights is very central. <BR> <BR

Harriett

On our first trip to Paris, my husband and I stayed at Hotel du Ministere, a modest hotel in a fabulous location in the 8th. When we took our children (18 & 13) last spring, we booked an apartment in the Latin Quarter, which was great but a good bit more than $100 per night. However, on a walk one day, we strolled past du Ministere, went in to inquire about family rooms. Theirs is 840ff ($140 US) per night -- not sure of the room layout but bath is en suite, and DON'T buy breakfast there; there are magnifique patisserie and cafes within a 5-minute walk. Their website is www.argis.fr/hotel-ministere, e-mail is [email protected]. <BR> <BR>For entertainment, check out Virgin Records Megastore on Champs Elysees (near McD and Planet Hollywood, open until wway late); our kids also enjoyed going to d'Orsay et Louvre the nights they're open late -- lots of teens, college kids and artistes doing their renditions of the masters. Check opening hours, however -- I've read here that Louvre is no longer open late on Thursday (?). Our other favorite place, that our children also loved, is the Rodin -- great cafe & gardens in back -- my favorite memory of our trip last spring is of our daughter napping on the lawn of Musee Rodin with her head in Daddy's lap. We also had a wonderful afternoon at Pere laChaisse -- whether or not yours are into Jim Morrison, it's a truly splendid way to spend a couple of hours. <BR> <BR>Have a great time!

Gina

Michael--if you decide to go to London also, I recommend the chunnel from Paris. My kids were 17 and 14 when we went to Paris and London. We got two rooms, adjoining, which probably is over 600ff, in each city. We haven't shared hotel rooms with the kids for several years, just seems too crowded and we need the two bathrooms! or it would be too long getting out in the morning...In London, they liked the Tower of London, avoid the London Dungeon it is too cheesy, we took in two musicals, but I think they liked wandering around the best.

lisa

Hi Michael <BR>I have just returned last week with my family from 2 months in Europe. We stayed at a really nice hotel in Paris. Our room was very clean, had a double bed and two single beds, a TV, as well as ensuite bathroom for only 550ff per night. They do however include in this charge, 35ff per person for breakfast but I negotiated a cheaper breakfast charge for my children. The breakfast buffet was great and the staff really friendly. The hotel is the Lux Hotel Picpus, you can find them on the internet. There was also a really reasonably priced self-service restaurant they call "casinos' around the corner, which with a family of four we found a real blessing. There was also a Drycleaners two doors up which also had washing machines and dryers available. A really nice area. It was also opposite the underground metro service which was great. The line of this metro was the one which went to the Eiffel tower, as well as disneyland in the opposite direction. My daughter left a bad in the room. We phoned a week later and they had it in safe keeping. I thoroughly recommend this hotel <BR>Lisa. email for more details re hotel or Paris.

Michael S.

Thanks to all who have responded so far. We're hot on the trail of decent accommodations in Paris, probably an apartment ... though nothing is nailed as yet. After that we'll focus on London, with one Fodor's posting already providing a strong lead. Will send a followup report after our travels are completed. This web site is marvelous!