francophile03

We stayed at the Hotel de Lutece over New Year's Eve. It's a charming, small hotel. Our room was on the 5th floor facing the rear of the hotel so it was very quiet. The only sounds we heard were the bells of Notre Dame.

Btw, our room was really comfortable as I think we were lucky because although we paid for a double they assigned us a triple. The bathroom is a good size. I think the shower is outdated and probably will be replaced soon.

The highlight of our stay at the Lutece was the housekeeping and breakfast staff members who are really sweet. Also their coffee is the best I had so far in any Paris hotel.

Dave_in_Paris

Must take issue, to a point, with Fred, the Jeu de Paume is highly charming -- in the lobby. The rooms are small for the price. However, my main objection to that hotel is a certain musty smell they're never managed to eliminate since opening nearly two decades ago. Carries Old World Charm a bit too far!

Patrick

I think it's funny that someone would suggest staying on the Left Bank (where?) to avoid the "noise" of Ile St. Louis! Sure there are a lot of tourists going up and down the main street (but walking -- not in cars) -- is the poster suggesting there aren't so many tourists anywhere on the Left Bank?
Over the past 15 years I've seen Ile St. Louis grow from what seemed a hideaway undiscovered by tourists to one that is a major walk through on the typical Parisian tourist circuit. But that doesn't change the effect that due to virtually no traffic it remains one of the quietest places in central Paris. And I've been surprised when walking through after dinner, how extremely quiet it tends to get after about 9 or so -- except for those couple of brasseries right by the bridge towards Notre Dame.

mr_go

I wasn't wild about the Hotel St. Louis, but it did some things fairly well. The location is about perfect, for example. And the hot water supply to the bathroom was excellent. And I slept like a baby, despite being a rather light sleeper.

Here's the view; note the crowd at Berthillon...

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...68481263kjuhUQ

francophile03

In regards to the Ile St. Louis it is very crowded during the day. Our taxi had a very difficult time maneuvering through the crowds as people walk on the rue St. Louis en L'Ile. The sidewalks are typically narrow so the crowds end up walking in the streets. However, the crowds do die down at night, true. Even during New Year's Eve it wasn't noisy. It was the area by Notre Dame that was crazy during that time.

ita

Our room wasn't noisy at night (just full up smoke wafting up the stairs from the smokers working at the front desk). that was not the problem. It is a small area that is very busy during the day with lineups at the restaurants. I guess I was disappointed because I had explored the back streets of Ile St. Louis and had chosen a hotel there because I thought it would be a charming atmosphere. the hotel was dingy and threadbare which made me think it was dirty. I did not think staying on Ile. St. Louis was worth the extra tariff for an inferior room

nonnafelice

Re: " I will tout my favorite hotel which is des Grandes Ecoles, but you must book it six months in advance."

Unless they've changed since we were there a couple of years ago, the Grandes Ecoles only opens their reservations three months in advance. You really do have to contact them right in that narrow window of time 3 months before, because they fill up immediately.

I agree that it is a great place to stay, and a very good value -- also very quiet. I don't know about the main building either, but our room in the garden building was very nice and quite large.
http://www.hotel-grandes-ecoles.com

wyf4lyf

That was the only complaint I had about the B&B we stayed at on Ile St. Louis...the street noise. At night, it was noise from revelers. In the morning, there was a lot of noise from trucks -- I'm assuming trash trucks and delivery trucks. But we were right at the intersection of the 2 main streets. During the day I found the island to be peaceful and not full of tourists at all...except for Sunday when it felt like 1/2 of Paris was there. But that was actually kind of fun to see the hub-bub on the little island, since it was such a peaceful village during the day for the entire rest of the week.

JeanneB

To me, staying on Ile St. Louis would be the equivalent of going to New Orleans and staying on Bourbon Street. Yes, you'll be right in the middle of things, but is that what you want?

We stayed at Hotel de Notre Dame---Left Bank no more than 50 yards from the bridge leading to Ile St. Louis. It's on a tiny 1-way street. Our window looking out to the Seine was streetside, so we did have occasional noise. I don't know if it would be different in the back rooms.

I do know that we thought the location was perfect. Walk out the front door and Notre Dame is across the river in front of you. There are many nice hotels in the area...add this one to your research list. You'll find excellent reviews.

JeanneB

I should have added: this is the hotel on Rue Maitre Albert.

There are many hotels with similar names.

fred0211

Thanks to all who have replied. We decided to forget about the Ile and head to rive gauche.
Nonnafelice, unfortunately the Grandes Ecoles is full but we can have a room at Hotel Monge around the corner.
So now we are deciding between that one and Hotel Saint Thomas d'Aquin closer to Saint Germain.
Any suggestions which area to pick?
Fred

gracejoan3

I rented an apartment there and in was very quiet. I also have friends who have stayed at both the Lutece and the Jeu de Paume with no noise problems. If it appeals to you, just do it!

francophile03

fred0211, I'm really sorry you won't be staying on Ile St. Louis. It really is quiet at night and while I like the Latin Quarter and St. Germain, staying on the island really is a unique, sweet experience.

As to your two current hotel choices, the St. Thomas d' Aquin is closer to St. Germain. It's location is formally in the 7th district, but it's on the border of the 6th. The Hotel Monge is in the 5th district (Latin Quarter). I found the rue Monge to be a nice but busy street.

fred0211

Hi Francophile, thanks for the response.
Which area has the better selection of restaurants within walking distance from the hotel?
I have read some interesting comments about the markets and dining on Mouffetard, too.

fred0211

[Sorry I hit the reply button to early!]
Hi Francophile, thanks for the response.
Which area has the better selection of restaurants within walking distance from the hotel?

You posted some interesting comments (in a different thread) about the cafes and dining on Mouffetard. Is similar around St. Thomas d'Aquin?
We'll spend the days visiting museums, etc, and have no interests for discos or "clubing" in the evening, but do enjoy eating at different places. ;-)
Fred

nonnafelice

There is no shortage of good restaurants around either hotel. I don't know Saint Thomas d'Aquin, but from checking it online, it's probably on a quieter street. We have stayed at Hotel Monge, which we liked, but the street is noisy if you open the windows. (It does have AC so you can keep the windows closed.)

The next time we go back to Paris, I would like to stay in the St. Germain area, since we have been near Rue Mouffetard twice now. St. Germain is a bit more upscale, but both are good locations. Rue Mouffetard has a street market, if that interests you.

I think you should try the Saint Thomas d'Aquin and report back to us!

fred0211

Hi nonnafelice,
you wrote "I think you should try the Saint Thomas d'Aquin and report back to us! "
We did stay at the Saint Thomas d'Aquin and my report is here: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34674513

Thanks for a great suggestions!
Fred