Paris neighborhoods--can anyone give me advice??
Jul 7th, 2006, 01:36 PM
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Paris neighborhoods--can anyone give me advice??
Here's the same old question--Where should I stay in Paris? I am going there for the first time next year, staying 3 nights. I have read the descriptions of the various neighborhoods (arrondissements) and I'm still confused. I want a nice hotel (up to about $300-400/night, less if possible), would like to have several restaurants and cafes in the area (short walk), convenient to getting to the "tourist sites", but I don't mind taking the metro if necessary. I'd like to have some interesting places within walking distance (shops, galleries, local museums, etc.) Can anyone help me figure out which neighborhood I would like??? What do you suggest, and why?? Specific hotels? (I do like smaller boutique hotels.) Thanks in advance.
Jul 7th, 2006, 01:54 PM
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marybeth,
The 5th and 6th arrondissements are both ideal home bases for a first visit (many people branch out to other neighborhoods on subsequent visits) and both arrondissements fulfill your requirements for "several restaurants and cafes in the area and convenient to getting to the tourist sites".
There are more "nicer" hotels in the 6th (which your budget allows). The 5th has more budget options (although it has a few "nicer" places as well.
Here are just three boutique hotels that fit your bill - there are many, many, many, others.
in the 5th -
http://www.hotel-abbaye.com
in the 6th -
http://www.luxembourg-paris-hotel.com
http://www.hotelbuci.fr/_en/home.html
The 5th and 6th arrondissements are both ideal home bases for a first visit (many people branch out to other neighborhoods on subsequent visits) and both arrondissements fulfill your requirements for "several restaurants and cafes in the area and convenient to getting to the tourist sites".
There are more "nicer" hotels in the 6th (which your budget allows). The 5th has more budget options (although it has a few "nicer" places as well.
Here are just three boutique hotels that fit your bill - there are many, many, many, others.
in the 5th -
http://www.hotel-abbaye.com
in the 6th -
http://www.luxembourg-paris-hotel.com
http://www.hotelbuci.fr/_en/home.html
Jul 7th, 2006, 02:24 PM
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You seem to do an incredible amount of travel. I clicked on your other posts and you have posted questions about going to Carmel, Napa Valley, and Maui in July,and posts about Paris, Amsterdam, Spain, Provence. And London I think.
Are you doing a cruise that stops at all these places?
Are you doing a cruise that stops at all these places?
Jul 11th, 2006, 01:58 PM
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"...Author: chicagolori
Date: 07/07/2006, 06:24 pm
You seem to do an incredible amount of travel. I clicked on your other posts and you have posted questions about going to Carmel, Napa Valley, and Maui in July,and posts about Paris, Amsterdam, Spain, Provence. And London I think. Are you doing a cruise that stops at all these places?..."
It is kind of interesting to go back and view marybethcl's posts. She nearly always poses a question then rarely returns to the thread. Her questions are often like "if money were no object..", "what is the best...", etc. Earlier posts mention groups ex.ladies going to a spa/golfing...
She gives her email as [email protected]
- it is interesting that there is a travel company in Florida called "Focus Travel"..
...this is all conjecture, of course, and could be completely unfair to marybethcl, but I hope she isn't trolling this board for tips to help her in her travel business.
Date: 07/07/2006, 06:24 pm
You seem to do an incredible amount of travel. I clicked on your other posts and you have posted questions about going to Carmel, Napa Valley, and Maui in July,and posts about Paris, Amsterdam, Spain, Provence. And London I think. Are you doing a cruise that stops at all these places?..."
It is kind of interesting to go back and view marybethcl's posts. She nearly always poses a question then rarely returns to the thread. Her questions are often like "if money were no object..", "what is the best...", etc. Earlier posts mention groups ex.ladies going to a spa/golfing...
She gives her email as [email protected]
- it is interesting that there is a travel company in Florida called "Focus Travel"..
...this is all conjecture, of course, and could be completely unfair to marybethcl, but I hope she isn't trolling this board for tips to help her in her travel business.
Jul 11th, 2006, 02:05 PM
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Jul 16th, 2006, 04:13 AM
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To answer Chicagolori's question...
Yes, I do a lot of travel myself. And I also help other people (friends, family and friends of family) plan travel. I am retired now and I take lots of cruises, so that involves visiting many places in a short while. I did a cruise in May-June that was all British Isles, and I added some time in London and Amsterdam. Ready to leave this week for Califormia and Maui. And September I'll be on a river cruise from Prague to
Budapest with a group of friends (for whom I sometimes post questions on this board, since many are computer illiterate). Next spring I'll take another river cruise in Holland, adding Paris and maybe Barcelona after the cruise. I've spent a LOT of time in Spain over the past 30 years--actually lived there for many summers while doing graduate work. So you can see, travel is in my blood!!
Yes, I do a lot of travel myself. And I also help other people (friends, family and friends of family) plan travel. I am retired now and I take lots of cruises, so that involves visiting many places in a short while. I did a cruise in May-June that was all British Isles, and I added some time in London and Amsterdam. Ready to leave this week for Califormia and Maui. And September I'll be on a river cruise from Prague to
Budapest with a group of friends (for whom I sometimes post questions on this board, since many are computer illiterate). Next spring I'll take another river cruise in Holland, adding Paris and maybe Barcelona after the cruise. I've spent a LOT of time in Spain over the past 30 years--actually lived there for many summers while doing graduate work. So you can see, travel is in my blood!!
Jul 16th, 2006, 04:25 AM
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And a note to Travelnut...
While I like to find a good travel bargain, I am fortunate enough to have the $ to "travel well" when I want to. Hence I sometimes ask about something without budget constraints. I ususally try to save $ and my hubby is the big spender. Like this summer in London...I found a great "budget" hotel, but DH didn't blink an eye at going out and spending $300 for 2 for dinner. Makes for an interesting marriage! (p.s. My golf group decided to postpone our girl getaway till next year, and we think we're going to Canyon Ranch)
While I like to find a good travel bargain, I am fortunate enough to have the $ to "travel well" when I want to. Hence I sometimes ask about something without budget constraints. I ususally try to save $ and my hubby is the big spender. Like this summer in London...I found a great "budget" hotel, but DH didn't blink an eye at going out and spending $300 for 2 for dinner. Makes for an interesting marriage! (p.s. My golf group decided to postpone our girl getaway till next year, and we think we're going to Canyon Ranch)
Jul 16th, 2006, 05:53 AM
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I visited Paris fo the first time last April and certainly,if you are within wlaking distance of a Metro, then anything is convienient. However, I looked at the three websites offered by bardo1 above and it would seem to me that, as a first time visitor, the closer you are to the River, the better, and if I read the sites, correctly, that would be the Hotel Buci. A delightful location! All the major museums, Eifel tower, and neat restaurant areas of the 5th are within walking distance and/or a short metro/bus ride for you. Be sure to try to get a bus map if you can, there are some routes where the the bus is a better option than Metro - nice way to capture a sence of "Real Pariseans" and how they live - however, if budget is nto a problem, of course, taxis mitigate this issue.
Jul 16th, 2006, 07:34 AM
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Thanks, marybethcl... you are very fortunate to be able to travel extensively... I wasn't impugning your 'budgetary' choices... it is unusual to notice someone posting about visiting so many places during short timespans - if that is your lifestyle, lucky you! (and your friends 
)
)
Jul 16th, 2006, 07:43 AM
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Definately St. Gemaine area. I love this hotel: http://www.hotel-paris-relais-saint-germain.com/
It's surrounded by shops, restauants, cafes, metro, ect. yet is very quiet due to the double glazing on the windows.
It's surrounded by shops, restauants, cafes, metro, ect. yet is very quiet due to the double glazing on the windows.
Jul 17th, 2006, 02:51 PM
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Thanks for responding Marybeth. I did indeed wonder if your post was perhaps not a real one since there has been a rash of those lately. Now that i have read your post, I am envious of your travel opportunities and hope you enjoy them all.
Not sure if you got your question answered but staying in the 6th has everything you need.
I can also vouch for the Hotel Regent as the location is perfect and its well within your budget.
The Hotel Madison is another one that is well thought of here and probably more expensive but in your budget.
Hope that helps ...
Not sure if you got your question answered but staying in the 6th has everything you need.
I can also vouch for the Hotel Regent as the location is perfect and its well within your budget.
The Hotel Madison is another one that is well thought of here and probably more expensive but in your budget.
Hope that helps ...
Jul 18th, 2006, 03:56 AM
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Thanks for all the advice! I am going to check on the hotels you all recommended in the Saint Germain area. That sounds like what we'd like.
I was very confused about the different areas of Paris, but you Fodorites have simplified it for me--thanks!!
Now, I just have to see if I can use my Delta Airline miles for this trip...that's a challenge! It seems that every time I try to book a reward flight on Delta, I have trouble. I really want to use them for this trip, so I guess I'll be spending the aftennoon on the phone with a Delta agent!!
I was very confused about the different areas of Paris, but you Fodorites have simplified it for me--thanks!!
Now, I just have to see if I can use my Delta Airline miles for this trip...that's a challenge! It seems that every time I try to book a reward flight on Delta, I have trouble. I really want to use them for this trip, so I guess I'll be spending the aftennoon on the phone with a Delta agent!!
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