Paris Hotels Left Bank Thread
 

Since two questions that are so often asked in the Paris-related forum are related to hotel choice and apartment rentals, I think a thread is needed to address the topic.
The apartment thread has already been started and has worked out quite well. So, I think we need a hotel thread. So, what I'll do is start two hotel threads, one for the LEFT Bank and one for the RIGHT Bank. I will try to top them and keep them current.
So, make your lists of hotels that you like and PLEASE post with complete information and a short description. And remember to post them under the correct BANK. Happy Travels!

OK. I'll start. I've stayed at hotels all over Paris, almost annually, since the mid 70s. However, I prefer the LEFT Bank. I've stayed at different hotels in the 6th and one hotel in the 7th exclusively since the early 80s. However, I recommend the following hotel:

Hotel Clement
6,rue Clement
75006 Paris
Tel: 01-43-26-53-60
Fax: 01-44-07-06-83
[email protected]

The hotel is located on a square. I always recommend a room on a high floor and facing the street. I'm a light sleeper, but have had no problems as it's on a square. Plus, I always pack foam earplugs, just in case, when traveling anywhere.

The hotel is in the heart of the 6th, one block south of Bd. St.Germain and a few steps away from the Mabillon metro station ...Line 10 and about a 5-minute walk to the St. Germain metro station...Line 4. There are also lots of buses and a taxi stand not far away. And it's very easy to walk to both the 5th and 7th from there. I do it all the time.

Last year, I was in shock when I saw it listed in Departures Magazine which is the magazine for American Express Platinum card holders. The word is really out now. It's not an expensive hotel though which is one reason that I didn't expect to see it listed in Departures. When I last stayed there, April 2006, I paid the equivalent of about US$180. for a room with two beds.

I've recommended this hotel to many people and no one has complained. And friends have returned to it on their return trips to Paris. Happy Travels!

Sorry to interrupt, just thought it would help to load the link to the 'other bank' thread so they stay somewhat 'tied' together..

If you want the "Right Bank" hotels thread, go here:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35162716

Hi Guenmai-
I just got back from Paris where we stayed on both the Left and Right bank.
In the 5th, we stayed at the Hotel des Grandes Ecoles.
http://www.hotel-grandes-ecoles.com
Here's what I wrote about it:
The hotel has a beautiful courtyard filled with flowers. Our room is very small and on the back of the hotel. There's no TV and no refrigerator. The bathroom is tiny and the grout could use a good cleaning. Wall to wall floral wallpaper and drapes. Beds are not new, at least not this decade. But it's cute and in a good location.
In the summer it would be lovely to sit in the garden, though there's no AC in the rooms. We almost never see the same person at the front desk. Most of them are helpful and nice, but not all. There is internet for a fee and it only works sporadically and has a very weak signal in the room. This later becomes a great source of frustration.
The room was 118 euro per night in October 2008.
Would I stay there again? <i>Maybe</i>. It was good for the price, but I think I would choose someplace else for the next time. There are things that are important to me personally when I travel that make things easier ('fridge, reliable internet) that may not matter to others.
The hotel is certainly popular and they book up fast, even though they don't take reservations more than 3 months in advance.
If anyone wants to see pictures of the hotel, or our room, they are on my website at
http://www.wired2theworld.com/PARIS2008day1.html

Our Left-Bank favorite is the Madison, on the Blvd St-Germain opposite the church and about 1/2 block from the m&eacute;tro station. It's a small hotel done in traditional style; corner rooms and those overlooking the boulevard (no road noise) are larger than the Paris norm, and there's a lovely suite on the 6th floor. Bathrooms are well equipped, and the rooms have quite a lot of storage.

The small lobby has a fireplace and bar, while the large breakfast area features a groaning buffet table. You can also have a continental breakfast in your room.

There are 2 elevators, one for guests and another for luggage--although we've used that one as well.

There's an ATM just down the block and a Monoprix about a block away. About 3 doors from the hotel is Vesuvius, an excellent, moderatly priced Italian/French restaurant. Almost as close are a Thai and Chinese restaurant, and about half a block away is a L&eacute;on de Bruxelles.

Thanks again, Travelnut. Happy Travels!

Note: The Madison Hotel is also in an excellent location, less than a 5-minute walk from the Hotel Clement. The price range will be higher than the Clement. I've heard many excellent reviews about the Madison and have passed by it many times. It's just out of my price range. Happy Travels!

Note: hotelclementparis.com They have a different website than they used to have. Happy Travels!

What a good idea. Thanks for all contributions. I've only stayed in one hotel on the Left Bank and unfortunately can't recommend it, so it's great to have others.

We have stayed in two hotels on the Left Bank, both on the same street, the rue de Bourgogne. This is in the 7th but near the 6th, just to the sw of the d'Orsay. It's a great street with patisseries, and there are loads of shopping, cafes, and more nearby. There are many government buildings and upscale apartment buildings nearby.

The first hotel was the Palais Bourbon, where we had a standard triple. The young members of the staff were great, and we thought the older members a bit dire. However, that was in '02, so I can't speak for current staff. On our last night, we had the upstairs attic room, which was big and lovely. While the bath in the triple was a little small, it wasn't miniscule. Clean and comfortable, but not luxurious. A really good spot for families as they have rooms for triples and more.

Prices are higher than when we were there, but it also seems that there have been upgrades.

http://www.bourbon-paris-hotel.com/index.html

Two years later, we stayed at the Hotel de Varenne. We liked their little courtyard, and our room had a partial view of the ET. However, the bathroom window was over the street and noisy in the early morning.

We were staying 6 nights and were able to negotiate breakfast as included.

http://www.varenne-hotel-paris.com/index.html

We are looking for a hotel in Paris that is hip, and not stuffy ... any recommendations in the left bank.. something fairly new ?

We always stay at the Hotel des Saints Peres at 65, Rue des Saints Peres, a block off the Blvd St. Germaine at the border between the 6th and 7th.

The location is wonderful; if you are a walker you can walk from there to anyplace in Arrondisements 1-8. It is located 2 blocks from three Metro stations. The hotel is attractive, has a lovely, welcoming, helpful staff, good-sized rooms and large modern baths.

We have stayed there 6 times since 1999 and have thoroughly enjoyed each stay. Rooms run from 155 Euro for a small double to 235Euro for a large twin.

We, too, have stayed at several hotels in Paris, on both the left and right banks. But we have returned most frequently to the

Parc St. Severin
22 rue de la Parcheminerie
5th Arrondissement
011 33 1 43 54 32 17
fax 43 54 70 71
[email protected]
www.esprit-de-france.com
Also check Parisby.com

near the corner of Blvd. St. Germain and Blvd. St. Michel, close to two metro stops, remodeled in 2008, prices for doubles under 200 euros.

Pleasant front desk (especially Beatrice), small but nicely appointed rooms, decent sized public room with nice breakfast area. Double glazed windows keep noise from street below generally subdued. Streets surrounding are touristy and can be crowded.

The other hotel I most frequently recommend, also in the 5th Arrondissement, is

Hotel de Notre Dame (note address as there are several hotels with Notre Dame in their names)
19 rue Maitre Albert
01 43 26 79 00
fax 01 46 33 50 11
check on parisby.com, or try
[email protected]
near the Maubert Mutualite market and metro stop

Delightful front desk (the charming Dominque), small nicely appointed rooms, charming breakfast room and nice public rooms, approx. similar prices to Parc St. Severin. Some rooms can be very small.

Azzure...You can still post your hotel, so that others can beware. Happy Travels!

Newmanparker: I've started this thread to be merely a list of recommended hotels with a description. It would be best if you have a specific question to ask, to ask it on your hotel thread. Thanks. Good luck in finding what you're looking for. Happy Travels!

Thanks posters for your helpful recommendations. Keep them coming. Happy Travels!

Bookmarking

I've already posted about my favorite Left Bank Hotels (Parc St. Severin and Hotel de Notre Dame) but should probably also mention my unfavorite--Hotel Odeon. The location couldn't be better--directly on the little triangle by Yves Cambdeborde's Comptoir restaurant and several other cute places--but the rooms and bathrooms were even smaller than the typical Paris small left bank hotels and the price is as much as the better ones. Service also was minimal, impersonal and uncaring.

We were very happy with the Hotel Le Regent, 61, Rue Dauphine, in the 6eme.

Hi Julie:

Can you give the address of the Hotel Odeon that you didn't like? There are at least a few hotels with Odeon in their name.

We liked the Hotel du Danube in the 6th. We stayed March 2007 in a superior twin for about 185 euros/night and enjoyed it. tripadvisor review and photos here:

http://tiny.cc/6z75C

We have stayed at 2 lovely hotels in the 6th.

The Millesime is on rue Jacob - lots of shops, cafes and restaurants, etc and easy to walk to lots of sights. Very close to a Ladur&eacute;e :)
We had a superior room. It was plenty big enough and the bathroom was quite large. There is a teeny lift and a nice stone-walled breakfast room. Breakfast was OK although the coffee wasn't that great IMO.
http://www.millesimehotel.com/

The other one was the St Beuve. It's further away from the Seine - very close to the Jardins du Luxembourg. Again, lots of good cafes, restaurants and shops in the area. Our room was small but beautifully furnished and decorated. Bathroom was lovely brown marble - toilet in a separate little room. No breakfast room. We had breakfast at the hotel a couple of times (it was very very good) and went to cafes the other mornings. You could eat in the gorgeous little lobby or in your room.
http://www.hotelsaintebeuveparis.com/index.html

I'd heartily recommend both... I liked the location of the Millesime a bit better but preferred the ambience and decor of the St Beuve.

Good point, Tuscanlife. The Odeon we stayed at and didn't find worthwhile was on 3 rue de l'Odeon.

It is hard when multiple hotels use the same main word in their name. We sent our friend to the Hotel de Notre Dame and she mistakenly booked at the Notre Dame Hotel. Couldn't figure out why we'd send her to a place where she got woken up all night by the Bateau Mouche lights shining in the windows and where the walls of the room could be touched with both hands if you stood in the middle between them.

Great idea, Guenmai! Having just returned from France completely smitten, I was about to ask Fodorites for recommended hotels/apartments in Paris for our next trip, and now I see that threads have already been started. Although I have seen negative comments on TripAdvisor about the hotel we stayed at in Paris, our experience was very good:

http://www.hotel-palais-bourbon.com/index.html

We liked this hotel because: 1) the location was within easy walking distance to the Rodin Museum, the Seine, the Orsay, Eiffel Tower, Champs-Elysees, Bon Marche, etc. and two Metro stops; 2) the area was very quiet and untouristy--it was easy to experience local life on the street and nearby; 3) the room was large (12' x 15') and bright, on the fourth floor overlooking the street/apartments and you could see the sky; 4) breakfast was included in the price and could be delivered to the room. The room that we had is the one pictured when you click on quadruple rooms with the green print curtains, though we booked and paid for a superior twin (150 euros). It had twin beds (made up as one) as well as a single, and there was plenty of room between the chairs by the window for a small table (found in the hallway) on which we took breakfast most days. The bathroom was not huge but in good condition and very well-lit. The breakfast room in the basement was cheery, bright and interesting. The only downside to the hotel was that the stairways were not brightly lit. Contrary to reports on TripAdvisor, the staff all turned out to be very helpful. (We believe that, due to cultural differences, the friendliness that North Americans expect immediately comes with time, and that it also helps to try your best to speak French.)

Great folks! The ball is really rolling now. Keep the info coming. Happy Travels!

I hope this isn't considered too off topic: a question rather than a recommendation. I have my eye on Hotel Diana http://www.hotel-diana-paris.com/ near the Sorbonne for our next visit. Trip advisor ranks it 70th. The price is right for us. Can anyone offer a first-hand evaluation?

I really would like to keep this as a &quot;list&quot; thread, not as discussion thread in order to make it easy for people to be able to print and read through quickly. Thanks. Happy Travels!

ttt. to keep current. Happy Travels!

I'll &quot;counter :)&quot; Julie's comment on Hotel Le Notre Daem and give it a recommendation based on our stay there.

Location wise, perfect. Acroos the street from the RER (St Michel) to CDG, Metro right there,plenty of restaurants nearby, Notre Dame is 2 blocks away, I could throw a rock inot the Seine from the front door of the hotel. bouquinistes across the street,etc.

We rented the top floor triple. It was a queen on one floor, and then up a ladder to an alcove with a single bed there. Our window view: Notre Dame and the Seine. We could watch the sun rise over them every morning. We did not find noise to be a problem and there were no Bateaux headlights. We did not use any of the hotel facilities (breakfast,etc..)

As a note, we stayed at this hotel a few years back, so any recommendation is based on that time.


Another more down market choice I used was the Timhotel Jardin des Plantes. Nothing fancy at all, room and a washroom. My TV broke while I was there, which did not matter to me. Its pluses are a lower price, and location. It is across the street from Jardin des Plantes, one long block from the Seine, quieter, in university district, a couple of blocks from Arene de Lutece, rue Mouffetard is a walking distance away. Metro Jussieu is a couple of blocks way- it gives you access to Line 10 for Left Bank travel and line 7 for Right bank travel. What worked out well for me was that I had the Michelin Red guide to restaurants and was able to find several within walking distance of the hotel.

We agree with some others, www.hotel-madison.com is our favorite in Paris on the left bank. We usually rent an apartment now, but if we were to stay in a hotel that would be it.

It's very convenient, beautifully decorated, and has a great breakfast included. The desk help has always been courteous and helpful.

We, too, stayed at the Parc St. Severin and liked it very much. We did have a room facing the street, which meant it overlooked two restaurants where young people congregated and partied into the night. It was May and we needed the windows open, so it was fairly noisy. I would recommend the hotel, but ask for a room that does not front on rue de la Parcheminerie.

ttt to keep current. Happy Travels!

Agree with Taggie on both Millesime and Le Hotel Ste Beuve. Location on the former might be better, decor in the latter looks recently remodeled.

...Happy Travels!

We have stayed twice at Hotel de Lutece on Ile St. Louis, 2 weeks in Sep 06 and 1 week in Sep 08. The location is great. You can walk to the Marais, Latin Quarter, St. Germain, Louvre etc. It is perhaps not quite as convenient for the metro as some other locations because to go most places, you would need to transfer. The Ile itself is charming and chockful of restaurants.

We had an identical room on both visits, one on the 4th floor, one on the 5th. The room was small but well thought out for storage space. We faced the street both times but noise was minimal. The room was bright and light, had a mini-fridge, air-con, a lovely large marble bathroom with plenty of space for your stuff. The price in 08 was 189euro for a twin(2 beds pushed together). Housekeeping staff is especially efficient.

It should be noted that...

Hotel de Notre Dame has changed its name.

It is now HOTEL MAITRE ALBERT.
http://tinyurl.com/5oqecz&quot;&gt;http://ti...url.com/5oqecz

I imagine Dominique tired of being confused with the other hotels of similar name. I've stayed several places in Paris, but I still think this hotel has the best location of all.

ttt. to keep current. HAppy Travels!

I have two hotels in that area that I have stayed at over the years, the Hotel Jean Bart and the Hotel Residence Monge.

The Hotel Jean Bart is a 2 star with reasonable rates. About 5 years ago it was about 55 Euro a night with breakfast. The hotel needs a redecorating and a face lift, but was clean and a good value. At that time they only spoke French and you had to call for a reservation. Also no credit cards.

9, Rue Jean Bart
75006 Paris, France
+33 1 45 48 29 13


The other one, Hotel Residence Monge, looks to be under new management and has changed the name to Hotel Acte V and has gone from a 2 star to a 3 star. From the pictures on the web site it looks like they have redecorated and also raised the prices. Good location, 2 metro's within a block.

http://hotelmonge.com/

Topping to keep current. Happy Travels!

.....Happy Travels!