Hi, has anyone stayed here lately? It's got a fabulous location across from Notre Dame on a quiet side street. I don't see it get mentioned too much; it does look pricey but looks very nice.

Francophile03,

I've stayed around the corner from there on the rue des Grands Degres at Hôtel les Degres de Notre Dame, it's about a 2 minute walk away. I've gone inside to the lobby and it is very pretty. Based on all the great things I've read about it I've always wanted to stay there. However, it IS a bit pricey and out of my current budget range. The area is wonderful and peaceful.

If it were me, though, I'd stay at the Hotel Degres. I think the rooms to be pretty with a rustic charm with those beamed ceilings. I believe the room I stayed in goes for 100€-130€ per night (depending on if it's one or two people) and the breakfast is included. Not a full meal but the best croissant, café & orange juice (fresh-squeezed & pulpy like I like it) I've had yet. And there are these pretty murals as you walk up the stairs. The only downside is that there is no elevator but I didn't have a problem walking up the steps. However, there is a restaurant, a couscouserie, that's very good and the bar stays open all night except for Sunday in case you want a nightcap before you go to bed!!
http://lesdegreshotel.monsite.wanadoo.fr/


But you may wish for more amenities. In that case, take the Hôtel Colbert!

There are some great restaurants in the area, too!

Hi Beatchick, thanks very much for your comments on both hotels. I checked out Les Degres de Notre Dame and they want a 4-nite minimum stay for my visit. However, I want to break up my visit as usual and stay at two different locations so 2 nights is in the Latin Qtr. are what I'm looking at. I had considered the other Notre Dame hotels but Hotel Le Colbert seems pretty nice. I may be able to swing it with the costs which I didn't think I'd be able to do earlier. So I may just go for it.

Thanks again!

You're kidding! I didn't know they were doing that. They weren't doing that when I last stayed there - 'twas only 2 nights. Thanks for letting me know. Yes, of course, it's lots more fun to stay at 2 different hotels in the 2 different areas you'll be focusing on in Paris. Just walk out & BAM! you're there.

Well, if you can swing it then definitely go for the Colbert. It's such a nice charming small hotel. I think you'll be happy there.

Hi Beatchick, maybe I should clarify why Les Degres is requiring a 4-night minimum. First of all I am visiting in high season-at the end of December.

Nicole, whom I'm assuming is the manager, told me that during that period she only wishes to take 4-night minimum stays as the hotel is very small with just 10 rooms.

I assume that 2 nights' minimum is the norm during other times of the year.

It seems like an awesome hotel for the rate though; sorry I couldn't take advantage of staying there. Perhaps on another visit.

Oh, that explains it & that makes sense!!

I like to tout them as much as possible because it IS a small hotel and is my favorite and Nicole was so good to me.

Beatchick, I recommended Les Degres to another traveler who will be visiting next year. He seemed absolutely thrilled with the hotel. I mean how can you beat that wonderful location and their rates are absolutely reasonable. It's a winner!

Exactement, Francophile! And the view of Notre Dame!

And Beatchick, you also mentioned the absolute convenience of both a restaurant AND a bar! How many inexpensive hotels come close to that?

I don't know. That may be what drew me to them in the 1st place, that &amp; the view &amp; the murals. In the Duncan/Peterson guide <i>Charming Small Hotel Guides</i> it calls the hotel an &quot;auberge&quot; which is really a designation for a country inn hotel/restaurant. But why not? I like the idea of a country inn setting smack dab in the middle of the city!

Francophile, you will have to tell me about how wonderful the Colbert is! I remember stumbling upon my 1st trip as I was wending my way to Shakespeare &amp; Co. from my hotel. I rounded a corner and there it was! Having already read about it I was in awe. Wow ~ there it is and it's so pretty.

You know, Beatchick, I did walk past the Colbert on my last visit. Love the location allright. My friend told me it's really close to Shakespeare &amp; Co. I didn't notice it then I guess. It looks like I'll stay there if all goes well. If I do stay there for sure I'll let you know how it went.

No direct experience but a friend stayed at Le Colbert a few years ago and raved about its quality, service and value.

Hi RJD, I had a chance to call Hotel Colbert on Saturday. The guy at Reception was very patient and sounds friendly too. Thanks for the good comments.

I'll second the idea that the Colbert looks really wonderful. I also looked just into the lobby and also saw pictures of the rooms, but one look at the prices listed by the door and I put the place out of mind. It looks wonderful. I know nothing about Les Degres, but I can assure you if it is a penny less than 300 or more euros a night it has no comparison in the world to the type of place the Colbert is, a really grand small hotel.

Like RJD I too have friends who stayed there a year or so ago at the suggestion of friends of theirs who live in Paris. They loved it.

If you need something less pricey, have you looked at the Hotel de Notre Dame on Rue Maitre Albert?

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...de_France.html

Yes, thanks mclaurie,I checked Hotel de Notre Dame. It seems nice but Le Colbert won me. It'll probably be a one-time experience though. Their Sol Melia site gives a bit of a discount so a superior room is less than 300 euro.

Less than 300 Euros is a good price for Le Colbert, which is on of the best 4 star properties in the city. You simply cannot get a better or more charming location, and a wonderful staff

We stayed there before Melia took it over during the Millennium celebration. Our room was wonderful; our kids' room was terrible. Renovations would have made this place terrific. The location is wonderful--central but &quot;tucked away.&quot;

The restaurant across the street, Les Bouchons de Francois Clerc, reportedly has the best wine prices in Paris. We have had both outstanding and very mediocre meals there, but the wine has always been fab.

For my visit which coincides with New Year's Eve I saw that up to last week a superior double room was going for 275 euro (w/out the b'fast though). But I understand most doubles overlook their garden and only a few twins have the cathedral view. Anyway, the garden is beautiful I read.

I just checked the Sol Melia website for the Colbert's rates over New Year's weekend and the rate for a standard double is 240 euro (266 euro with b'fast for 2 people included) while a jr. suite is 380 euro and a regular suite is 488 euro. But I understand the std. doubles are tiny-usually the case anyway. These rates are available only on the Sol Melia website not at the hotel which has higher rates. If anyone wants to check the site is www.solmelia.com. And I'm not getting paid to advertise this-just letting you know in case you all are interested.