Actually there is direct service to the Gare du Nord from a stop very close to the Bourdonnais, but it's by bus, not metro.

Thanks. Great info. Also, I heard back from Delambre; all rooms are air-cond. Still haven't heard from Bourd.

I realize you are on a budget, but if you take the bus/metro one way, it may convince you to just take a taxi the other. It won't be that expensive from Gare du Nord.

I would have no problem taking the RER with baggage from Gare du Nord on a direct line (say to where the Hotel des Mines is). I have taken the metro directly with luggage, also, as long as it was not a peak period, and I was at a station that wasn't too big. I really can't imagine taking the bus for a family of four with a lot of baggage (even minimal will be a lot for four people). I have seen people on buses with one suitcase, say 22", and that's all, during periods when it wasn't that crowded. But it would not be that easy to even do that at certain times, or perhaps even impossible (get on a bus with four people with baggage). Same for certain metro cars, of course, but I think the bus is worse.

Thanks. Yes, I hope to use the train as much as possible. If I need to to take a taxi, then we will. How much do you think it will cost to take a taxi from Gare du Nord to Hotel MInes?

around 11-15Euro, give or take a couple

Thanks Travelnut. 10-15E, not bad at all. Guess what, Hotel des Grands Hommes just sent me a special rate offer as well. How would you compare Mines versus this one?

I think it cold possibly take more than 15 euro, depends on traffic and time of day, of course. But it won't be too bad.

Grands Hommes is in a very good area next to the Pantheon -- I'd pick that as first choice of your list, if the rate is acceptable. I think it's a nicer hotel than Mines, also, but it is in a slightly more convenient or fun area. From there, you could even walk a few blocks to a metro stop whereas H des Mines isn't that close to one.

Thanks. I e-mailed Grand Hommes back and forth today and I would have to get 2 rooms and it would come out to approx 200E; they do have a summer 2008 special going but only 1 room is available at 90+ so I can't take that. Back to Hotel Mines. Thanks for all your help.

We are going to be in Paris with our3 granddaughters for 3 nights in July 08. I have searched so many sites I lost count. I also wanted to rent an apartment ---doesn't work for short stays. I purchased a book entitled Paris with Kids and I found a place called Hotel Marignan in the 5th (heart of the Latin Quarter)It seems to be like a family hostel. I think it is bare bones , however we just want to sleep in a clean place. There is a communal kitchen , which we like as it will save on meals and with a food sensitive child it helps .I must say that I have received some wonderful advice from fellow fodorites re travelling with sensitivities and certainly plan on following many suggestions
If you are interested this is the website:www.hotel-marignan.com
I wish you and your family a memorable trip!!!

Thanks. I had e-mailed Marignan but they said minimum of 4 nights. I just e-mailed them again to see if they can accomodate for only 2 nights.

Have fun on your trip in July!

Ok, So Marignan e-mailed me back and 2 nights for a quad at 145 with breakfast. Should I change to Marignan???????/They have a fridge and micro for use as well.

I don't see where their site says they have A/C.

I don't think they do. Ok I have to stop going crazy and just stick to Mines!

That Hotel Marignan is bare bones, like a hostel. I think they are 1*, maybe. Hotels at that level don't have AC. YOu are kind of all over the place at this point, from a 1* basic hostel to a very nice 3* hotel like the Grands Hommes. 90 euro a room, if it's fairly large, isn't bad for a hotel in that category, though. I pay about that for a double in summer in a nice hotel, but the room is not super large. That's okay with me if I'm alone, but that's a pretty good rate. Two rooms at 90 euro may actually be larger than a quad in those level of hotels.

As long as you are upping your budget some (if you are thinking of close to 200), why not ask the Grand Hotel St Michel what they have. They are right near the RER stop at Luxembourg Gardens, have AC, and I think they have family rooms
http://www.grand-hotel-st-michel.com

I know they have triples, and they list a suite as 180-250 euro. If that can fit four, it might be 180 or less in August, which is low hotel season.

Thanks Christina. Yes, I feel like I am jumping all over as well. I e-mailed Grand St. Michel to find out the prices. Just so hard to decide. I'll wait till I hear back and then finalize. THanks for all your input and advice. Love this forum!!!!

yeah, I know -- well, you've got lots of time, anyway, so you can look around. In fact, some hotels may not even want to take bookings for next AUgust right now. I found another:

The Hotel Claude Bernard has AC and quad rooms and is a good location in the Latin Qtr. You can walk to the Seine etc from there
www.paris-hotel-claude-bernard.com

They give discounts in August of around 25 pct, I think, and list their summer discount quad rate at 174-248 euro. If you could get lower end of that price, that would work. The only criterion it doesn't meet on your list is direct RER access from Gare du Nord. It's really maybe 3-4 blocks from the Cluny exit from the St Michel RER stop, kind of up hill a little. You could walk it if you really don't have much luggage, but might not want to. As we said, a taxi to that point won't be that much as it's closer than the H des Mines to the train station. It would be very convenient for metro and RER during your stay.

The HOtel des Mines isn't a bad choice, but you might like the location of the Claude Bernard better for fun.

Thanks. This place looks really nice; I e-mailed them to find out how much. Yeah, I have lots of time but I love the planning part. Gets stressful at times, but I love looking up all the different hotels. Then when I get there, it seems so familiar to see all the different places that I researched.

We'll see. I know someone on here said they stayed at the Claude Bernard in a family room and it was a corner room with a balcony, sounded pretty good. Also, I saw their summer discount rates include buffet breakfast, and for four people, that could be a good thing. So consider that in comparison, as that's worth at least 20 euro for four, and probably more as a buffet breakfast will have more for the kids to eat (probably cereal, yogurt, etc.).

Here is one post where someone talked about staying there, and I think with kids, although it isn't the one I'm thinking of. Still, I think it describes the situation pretty well
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=35014775

Now I am really hoping CB gets back to me quick with a reasonable rate...I want to stay here!

Christina,

CB has still not responded, but Cluny Sorbonne got back to me with a rate of 150E. No A/C, but seems like a great location. Your thoughts? Thanks.