Hello fellow Fodorites,
I have narrowed down a shortlist of hotels for a three night stay in Paris in mid-June this year.
We are a couple in our 40's, who were last In Paris 15 years ago. We stayed in the Left Bank that time and loved it.
Our budget for hotels is 200 euros per night or less.
The following hotels meet that cost criteria and I have researched them thoroughly by reading everything I possibly could about them including Trip Advisor, any other reviews and their own websites.I find each of these hotels appealing and am having great trouble choosing..
1. Hotel Le General-Bastille area.
Modern design hotel by the same architect/designer as the Hotel Duo in the Marais area which is too expensive at 240 euros a night for a very tiny room. Location near the Marais area does appeal.
2.Hotel Therese in the 1st arrondissement. Classical French style,although tiny rooms.
3.Hotel Le Senat-Located in the Left Bank near the border of the 5th and 6th arondissement.
If anyone has had any experiences with any of these hotels they could share I would be grateful. Otherwise, comments about location (especially the Bastille location ) would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Shooshy

TTT

If, like me, you enjoy the modern design, go for the General Hotel. I stayed there, and despite the small size of the room (you are in Paris, they all are...), it was so stylish, comfy.. We loved the late bar, I felt like Austin Powers

You have the Arvor St George, also in the same modern design (near Montmartre)

shooshy - Have you pulled up the website for Hotel des Grande Ecoles, in the 5th?
We have selected this hotel to round off our trip to Paris in May.
I think it looks wonderfully French!
www.hotel-grandes-ecoles.com

ttt

Hi S,

>Our budget for hotels is 200 euros per night or less.

Not familiar with any of your hotels.

However, you might want to consider one of the larger rooms at the www.hotelbonaparte.fr - 161E including bkfst served in your room.

This is where we always stay.

Thank you for your replys.
Stef_DNA, could you tell me about the location in the Bastille area of Le General? I love the look of the hotel, but am concerned it is a little too far from the centre. Are there nice cafes, shops around? Did you walk to the Marais area from there? If so, how long did it take?
What size room did you stay in?
Tod,Hotel Grandes Ecoles looks charming, especially the exterior and garden. I have emailed the hotel to check availability but I somehow suspect they will be booked already. Also there does not seem to be air-con. Wondering if that will be a problem in June?
Ira,
The position of The Bonaparte looks wonderful and I will also send them a booking enquiry.
Anyone else have comments on my original list of hotels, particularly Le Senat or Hotel Therese?
Shooshy

There's going to be a discrepancy in looks/decor between Grand Ecoles and Bonaparte vs. Therese and Le Senat; they are not the same hotel class at all. Just 'fyi'...

shooshy, about Hotel Le General ... are you referring to the hotel by that name on rue Rampon in the 11th? This one? www.legeneralhotel.com

If so, it isn't really at Bastille, nor in the Marais, at least not in my mind. I'd be more inclined to describe it as being at Place de la République.

Nonetheless, it's an interesting neighbourhood. I've walked through that area several times and I wouldn't hesitate to stay there. That hotel certainly looks appealing, too. Just bear in mind that if your interests are along the Seine, such as the Louvre, or rue Rivoli, or Île de la Cité, you have a good walk ahead of you ... my guess would be 25 to 30 minutes. The delights of the Marais are closer. But République is also a great Metro hub: lines 3, 5, 8, 9, and 11 all zoom through there, so you go anywhere you wish quite easily.

Anselm

Your hotels are kind of all over the place -- and I don't mean literally in location, but in the style and type. It's hard to figure out, but maybe you don't really care about the style -- either very new and modern, or old, traditional and not modern (eg Grandes Ecoles where you'll be staring at acres of toile). The Grandes Ecoles doesn't have AC and I don't think it even has televisions. May not bother you, don't know.

As for location, I kind of think where the General is located is not something you would prefer. It isn't really the Bastille area (nor the Marais, of course) -- it's near place Republique and toward the Canal St Martin area, not too far from Oberkampf. I don't know about it being far out, Republique has a lot of lines running through it so can be a convenient transportation spot, although things can be a little dicey around some parts around there at night, I've heard. I think that hotel is much too expensive for the location (and thought that when it opened).

If you want to be in the Marais, there are far better choices, I think. YOu may find the area a bit dull around bd Lenoir and ave Parmentier up that way, and surroundings. From everything you've said, I just don't think you should choose that one.

SHOO wish i had a cure for the paris obsessed. I need some of that cure too.

Thank you all for replys.
Anselm,
Yes that is the exact hotel we are interested in. I am appreciative of your comments about it's location, and fear now that it may not be well located for us. I had been thinking it was located on the edge of the Marais district which would appeal to us.
Christina,
I can see how you might think our style choices are all over the place. I probably do prefer modern, design hotels but am capable of being seduced by gorgeous pictures of very French style buildings and gorgeous gardens such as those on the Grandes Ecoles website. The acres of toile and the floral wallpaper could pose a problem....
Can you suggest somewhere in the Marais area that comes in at 200 euro or less?
My first choice was Hotel Duo in the Marais but a very tiny standard room at 240 euro per night, without any inclusions such as breakfast, seems somewhat pricey.
I know some people on this board have stayed there, perhaps I am wrong and it is worth it. Any comments?
Shooshy