JO

Are ATMs still easily used with American bankcards and credit cards now with the euro? Has anyone stayed at Hotel Grand Leveque or Hotel de Turenne - both in the 7th near Eiffel Tower?

elaine

Hi I haven't stayed there but<BR>the Grand Leveque is much discussed here. You can do a search on it for past postings. There were recent postings just within the past few days---to find those you have to keep scrolling down on the left.<BR>It is a generally-praised hotel, but a few criticisms here and there. The Leveque is recommended by Rick Steves and in the book "Cheap Sleeps in Paris". Some rooms have balconies, some overlook only an air shaft, and most are said to have little or no drawer space.<BR>Most comments seem to say "basic, but clean" and a good value for the low price.<BR><BR>I found this comment on the Turenne from the Bonjour Paris website:<BR>"A friend swears by the H&ocirc;tel Turenne, a 34-room ** hotel in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. He is such a frequent visitor and recommends it so highly on the message boards , that<BR>sometimes, I think he gets a commission. If not, he should. It is clean and near good public transportation. The hotel has air-conditioning and its rooms have been being updated during<BR>then past ten years."<BR><BR><BR><BR>For more comments from past guests you can look at the Rants and Raves part of the hotel section on this website, and also look at www.paris.org

Alice

I've reported on Hotel de Turenne a few times ... it is a decent ** on a fairly quiet street (some occasional traffic sounds). We had a Twin-room w/bath, clean, armoire (no closet), TV, two windows opening out to avenue Tourville, no minifridges... The furniture is acceptable (a slight worn edge here or there), perfectly within expectations for the price range. Everything worked fine -heat in the bathroom, TV, phone, etc. You may want to ask for standard bed pillows - they put out those bolsters instead, unless you ask. The continental breakfast was very fresh and delicious. We faxed directly to make and confirm the reservations with no problems.

Alice

I've reported on Hotel de Turenne a few times ... it is a decent ** on a fairly quiet street (some occasional traffic sounds). We had a Twin-room w/bath, clean, armoire (no closet), TV, two windows opening out to avenue Tourville, no minifridges... The furniture is acceptable (a slight worn edge here or there), perfectly within expectations for the price range. Everything worked fine -heat in the bathroom, TV, phone, etc. You may want to ask for standard bed pillows - they put out those bolsters instead, unless you ask. The continental breakfast was very fresh and delicious. There is an ATM at the corner, as well as a laundromat. Small grocer in next block, good brasserie at that corner (Ecole Militaire). We faxed directly to make and confirm the reservations with no problems.

Alice

sorry about that - thought if I pressed "STOP" it -would-....

Mark

I visited Paris for a few days in early January, right about the time of the Euro changeover. I used my American bank ATM card at a bank branch and at a La Poste branch without any trouble. ATM machines dispense only Euros now. French francs can be used in commerce up to February 17,2002.