For a week next October, I first tried Caron de Beaumarchais. They will not take any bookings for October until April. Since I want to have something nailed down, so to speak, I attempted to reserve at Hotel Deux Iles on Ile St. Louis, using the form on their web site. No response. Would a fax be the way to go here? I have read all the Paris Hotel posts. I am looking for a place in the 150-180 Euro range that is convenient to both Marais and within walking distance of the 6th. I would love any new suggestions and comments from anyone who has stayed on Ile St Louis; in which hotel have you stayed and how is this area? Are the hotels there totally occupied by foreign tourists, thus giving the island a very touristy feel? Have been to Paris quite a few times but have never stayed in either of the two hotels that I have tried to book for this trip. And for anyone who has stayed in the Deux Iles, are there any specific rooms that are nicer than others? And how does this hotel compare to its sister, the Lutece, which is a little more expensive? Thanks for answers to any and all of my many questions!!

The Ile St Louis is a delightful place to stay but there is no Metro close to it. You would have to walk a bit. I have one suggestion....

If you really want to be adventurious rent an apartment. The best part is that you get a refrig, sink, stove and a nice size bathroom. In addition there are usually extras like a washer/dryer, CD player and tons of space that you don't get in a hotel. One catch is that you have no concierge or hotel services. If you are a seasoned traveler, this shouldn't be an issue.

I recommend looking at parisbestlodge.com, I stayed at the "Studio Rivoili" in November and loved it. I felt like I was a resident of Paris. It was nice having food in the room for breakfast, wine and cheese. In the mornings I would walk across the street and buy a baguette and pastries for breakfast or hit the market for milk and minor supplies. The Studio Rivili is listed on the websight under the link called ?More Apartments" . I have to say that it looks just like the photos! Here is the direct link...

http://www.parisbestlodge.com/rivoli.html

The guy who manages this unit is great and an honest person. He does make himself available in case you have any problems. His rental terms are also more reasonable than many of the others.

Here are a few of my favorite hotels in the Marais area.....

Hotel Britannique - This is a gret little hotel and I would say that it is located in the dead center of the city. It near the Seine, Les Halles and Chatelet Metro Station which is at the crossroads of Paris. Its an easy walk to the Marais and Notre Dam. The price may be a bit higher than your budget but it is worth it.

http://www.hotel-britannique.fr/

Hotel Relais de Louvre - This hotel is right near the Seine and on the side of the giant Louvre museum. Its a simple little place and you may find a room in your budget range. The staff is friendly and there is a great pastry shop right on the corner where you can have a snack or breakfast. The metro and Les Halles area is also nearby.

http://www.relaisdulouvre.com

Castex Hotel - This hotel is in the edge of the Bastill and Marais districts. There is plenty to see and do around here and lots of cafes and bistros. Its actually a simple little place but the prices are right.

http://www.castex-paris-hotel.com

Hotel de la Bretonnerie - This hotel is in the lively center of the Marias on a busy street near the Jewish quarter and Les Halles. It is very quaint.

http://www.bretonnerie.com

Hotel Louis II - This is a cute little place in St Germain . I never stayed here but walked by it a million times. Its in a great area right in St Germain with cute shops and lots of bistros nearby. Check their websight they have some affordable specials. 111 euro for a double room with shower. (some rooms have only a bath).

How long ago did you try to reserve? I don't usually like those automated forms (and often they don't work, but sometimes do). I prefer email, do they have an email address you can follow up? A real one for the hotel, not a booking agency? If not, yes, I'd suggest a FAX.

Yes, I think most of the hotels on the island have tourists in them. That is probably true in many hotels in Paris, although I would guess that those island hotels are more likely not to have business people as much due to their location. I wouldn't know the proportion of foreign vs. French tourists.

The island has a touristy feel around Berthillon and particularly the part of the island near Notre Dame, in my opinion. Those are the parts most crowded with tourists (who will stand in line on the sidewalks for 30 minutes for an ice cream cone. There are lots of tourists in that part due to Berthillon (which for some reason I don't understand is known to a lot of tourists) and just because the island is right off the quay and across from Notre Dame, so easy to walk around and close.

I wouldn't worry about that so much, myself, it's no worse than a lot of other areas -- there are lots of tourists around in many parts of Paris near the Seine. St Germain is just as bad, around the main boulevard and the eglise St Germain.
I checked the website and the reservation request seems to be the same email address where you might write (2iles@ something). I'd followup with an email first, then try FAX.

You never know, sometimes email does not get delivered properly or overlooked.

Hi ekscrunchy,
We stayed at the Lutece some years ago, my daughter stayed there last year and so have friends.
We all agree that it is tiny, and great. The rooms are small but the 5th floor facing the street rooms are fine and the bathrooms are big!
The people that run the hotel are wonderful, breakfast can be served in your room for no extra cost and you really cannot beat the price to be in the Ille.
As for atmosphere...I love it during the week when the childern are playing in the school yard and housewifes are shopping and it feels like a village. Sundays can be crowded when everyone does not fit on the narrow sidewalks, but it is all a part of the charm to me..
At your doorstep will be the Best Fromagerie, Patisserie and Berthillon. What more can one ask?

Thanks to each of you for the quick responses! Christina, I did look up the e-mail address and just wrote to them. I had sent in their form about four days ago; hopefully I will get an answer by using the e-mail. Ile st Louis always looks so teeming with tourists that I had never thought of staying there. But it does seem that is is so easy to walk to both banks from there and that is what appealed to me. Am I elimating a better area due to my lack of knowledge?
Richard, I think I will be only 6 nights and so did not investigate an apartment, although it sounds tempting for next time. I do not want to be close to Les Halles and the Castex sounds pretty basic, but I stayed at Le Bretonnerie once and liked it a lot. I may try them again if I do not have a response from the 2Iles.
Scarlett, thank you for the Lutece information; it is a little more expensive than the 2Iles so I wondered if it were worth the price.

I won't repeat anything since you have already received lots of good info - - - but <i> I think I will be only 6 nights and so did not investigate an apartment</i> Some apartments do require longer stays, but MANY rent for less than a week.

EKS...try telephoning the Deux Iles....for a few bucks, depending on your international system, you can talk directly to them and nail down a reservation....and possibly a better rate. I do it all the time.... worth the few dollars, although I have an excellent international provider and a typical call is only 6 cents a minute.The folks at Lutece and Deux Iles speak English very well...and I've stayed at both...the island is excellent...especially off season when we've stayed there.

Stu T.

We stayed at the Lutece two years ago. As Scarlett said, the room was small, but we expected that. The staff was great. We'd stop at the fromagerie across the steet and sit at our window with wine and cheese before heading out for dinner. If we actually stuck our upper bodies out of the window, we had a view of the river.
It was such a convenient location to go in any direction. We liked the Amorino gelato much more than the Berthillon ice cream, however.
That said, we've stayed back in the 6th our last visit and will do so on our next visit in May....just feels more comfortable to us.

Thanks everyone, once again. Stu, I think you are correct. It is not really a big deal to phone overseas these days. I have still not received any response to my e-mail from 2Iles; I know this has been discussed here before but it is mildly annoying that many hotels do not respond, either to their e-mails or to the requests on their own reservation forms. That said, I will wait until later and phone them...but can anyone help me decide between 2Iles and Lutece? Or offer other suggestions on where to stay...I really want the convenience of being able to walk to 6th and to Marais/1st; I don't mind 20-30 minutes or so walking.

I too have found that there tends to be a lag-time in responses from hotels after using their website forms versus e-mails or faxed requests. As another poster mentioned, and you have said, a phone call is so easy and effective. My only suggestion is to try to call them during their &quot;day&quot; shift as opposed to after hours - which you've probably already figured out. I find I have a quicker response that way. Good luck!

Thanks! I still have had no reply so will call them after waiting another day. I don't remember anyplace else where I had such non-response from more than one hotel!

Lutece and deux iles have the same ownership...I prefer the Lutece but my daughter recently stayed at deux iles and loved it...in May we're shifting to stay in the Marais after four stays at the Lutece in recent years...just for a change. But the island is a great place to be in all respects.

Thanks! Any reason you prefer the Lutece? Either will be fine, I am sure but just curious before I make the call.