Never been to Paris and I'm stuck in a very weird hotel....how far am I from the Latin Quarter and the cool bistros that I am seeking? Suggestions for salvaging my 2 day stay in Paris would be Greatly appreciated!!

Ooops, what hotel are you staying in? I've stayed at the Novotel (and the Ibis is next door, as is the Metro entrance). You are only as far as the Metro (but you do have to change at Chatelet, though the Halles area is interesting too).

Staying at the Renaissance Hotel (booked through Priceline and way over-priced - but now I'm stuck since it's non-refundable)....Where should I head first for a long walk (with stops for shopping, eating, etc.)???

Ooops-aptly named<BR>I'm afraid to tell you that this hotel is really in the boonies. It is located more or less along the highway A14 going into Paris in an area called Courbevoie. Your hotel is about 1/2 mile from the Metro La Defense Grande Arche. From there it is about a 15minute ride to the Arc de Triomphe.<BR>I think I would go into Paris and stay there til bedtime.

Jim<BR><BR>Are you in Paris now?

Nope.<BR>Will be in June.

Bummer, Ooops. You're way far out from anything remotely charming. Good thing Paris will always have the metro. Get on it right away and get outta there!

Just heard the Metro is really dangerous in this part - should I cut my losses and look for a cheap Paris Hotel? If so, Where? Thank you!

Ooops -- I think it would be better to cut your losses. Not sure how much you paid on priceline but you can easily find a 2-3 star hotel (many posts with recommendations here) for under 100 euros in safe, convenient areas. Since you suggested it, you can probably afford to take the loss so unless you plan to be back in Paris soon, do it to salvage your 2 days and make the most of them. Don't even look back and look upon it as the cost of not doing your research first. (Bet all of us "smart" travellers have learned that lesson at least once or twice ourselves.)

If I decide to stay in La Defence - is the Metro safe and where should I exit for a central Paris stop for shopping, eating and a very long day away from my hotel room? Will it be safe to return via Metro at night? How far is La Defence from CDG? (So many questions!)

I suggest cutting your losses if the loss isn't going to wreck your travel budget. Paris is such an incredible city and after a day of sight seeing the last thing you'll want to do is schlep on the metro to a depressing part of town. Besides for me, half the fun was looking out my hotel window at the street life below.<BR><BR>My favorite area of Paris is the 5th arrondissement/Latin Quarter. It's a charming, semi-bohemian area and not overly expensive. I stayed at a great little hotel called La Minerve. It's near Notre Dame and lots of cute cafes.<BR>I think you'll be glad you made the change. good luck!

Oops: I stayed at the Renaissance hotel for an entire week on my first trip to Paris. We used hotel miles so we had seven nights of free lodging which made it well worth the stay outside the inner city. We didn't have any problems. The metro was easy, just a few stops to the center of the city and we even walked home late one evening. We were constantly out until 1 or 2 am and felt safe the entire time. That was two years ago though so I'm not sure if things have changed. I would swallow the hotel and spend your money on the wonderful food opportunities in Paris. That is something you truly don't want to miss! We were never in the hotel anyway so it didn't matter to us. Good luck!

I stayed at the Renaissance for 3 nights in Nov of 2001. It is in the outskirts of Paris, but it's a nice hotel. Metro stop is about 300yds from the hotel and there's a large shopping mall with a supermarket adjacent to the hotel. Since it's a business district, it is deserted at night, but seemed safe to me(day/night). Also I think Marriott is offering a promo now= stay 3 nights get 2 weekend nights free(I don't work for Marriott)

Ooops,<BR>CDG airport is about 25 miles to your hotel. I don't know if the Airport shuttles go to that area. You could take the airport bus to Etoile/Place Charles de Gaulle and then taxi to your hotel from there.<BR>Your metro near your hotel will also take you to the Metro Chatelet pretty much into the center of things.<BR>I wouldn't try to make a decision for you about staying or not staying at this hotel. However, it's just two nights. Not the end of the world.<BR>Good luck

Ooops,<BR>Let us know what you decide. This is interesting.

ttt

Why don't you book yourself somewhere else (I suugest Hotel Muguet in the 7th, nice and not very expensive - lots more info on it on this forum) and then sell your booking at the Renaissance on Ebay.com? I have bought things on Ebay and know others who have used it to book travel. This way you might be able to salvage some of the money you put down on the non-refundable booking.