Best hotel deal I found was the Holiday Inn Express at Port D'Italie. Yes, no unique Paris hotel adventure but also no 4th floor walkup and cold showers. Can anyone tell me about the Port D'Italie area?

It is PORTE, which means door. <BR><BR>It's on the very edge of Paris on the beltway or peripherique (the highway around the city). It's the suburban edge, not the same as central Paris at all. I think that hotel is not even be in Paris proper, but outside it -- it's on bd deGaulle. I don't think there's a lot to say about the area, but I haven't stayed there. Just look at a map, and see if staying on the edge of a big city is what you want to do as a tourist. It's not the same atmosphere, of course, but some may not care. It is very near Chinatown and not too far to the metro stop but I don't know exactly how easy it is to get to it from that hotel, you had better make sure if you even can, because it is across that major highway. <BR><BR>If you like staying in modern chain hotels in the suburbs, fine, but I don't believe you could not get a rate like that in Paris in something other than a 4th floor walkup, and probably something cheaper. HOliday Inns aren't that cheap.

Hi Tom,<BR><BR> You are sort of out in the boonies. However, if you go to http://www.ratp.fr/index_eng.htm<BR>you will be given directions on how to get from where you are to where you want to go.

I believe this area is where the main Chinatown is. If you look at a Paris metro map, it should be at the very outer edge of the map! Probably not very convenient if you are looking for all the sights &amp; shopping.

Well, you'll be right at the southern edge of the city. A few steps and you'll be on the Peripherique which is the beltway around Paris. You're going to lose a lot of the pleasure of being in the city. Being in Paris is more than just running in to see the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, etc. but if that's the only way you can do it you'll be coming in by metro every day. There are many good hotel deals right in the central area where you can walk out your door and be in the heart of the city. For more Paris information go to www.anamericaninparis.com

As others have said, if you can find an alternative closer to the centre of Paris, I don't think you'll regret it. The Porte d'Italie area is not great for tourists. I imagine the hotel there is aimed more at business travellers, due to its proximity to the main roads and motorways in and out of Paris. Porte d'Italie is at the southern end of Paris' Chinese district, which is not known for its architectural wonders, I'm afraid (though there are some great places to eat!!). I fear that the view from your hotel window would be more tower blocks than Eiffel Tower... I don't think you'd feel particularly comfortable returning there in the evenings, either.

We felt the HI Express offered a lot of value for the money - FULL breakfast, good bus connections and decent Metro. Not quaint but was quite comfortable and had nice bath facilities and a great big breakfast selection

Tom,

Have you check the rates at the Holiday Inn at Place de la Republic? You would be well within the city there, with a Metro station at the doorstep that offers several Metro lines.

My guess is Tom has come back by now.