Louise

My husband and I are planning a two-to-three week trip to Paris in late May/early June. After much research on the different areas of the city as well as for logistical purposes, we have determined that we would like a hotel in close proximity the Odeon Metro station (that is, within just a few minutes walk). We would greatly appreciate any hotel recommendations in the two or three star range. We're looking to spend anywhere from 500 to 800 FF. Our main desires in a hotel, in addition to close proximity to Odeon, are (not in any order):

1. Quiet enough to get a good night's sleep.
2. Friendly, helpful staff.
3. Clean.
4. With a bathroom.
5. Not worn-out looking.

We're not seeking a grand palace, but we would like an attractive place that will be comforting to us at the end of the day.

Thanks in advance!

Louise

Thyra

Hi Louise, well my very favorite Parisian hotel is right next to the Odeon Metro and a block away from the Luxembourg Gardens, it's called Grand Hotel des Balcons... and there are several people on this forum who stay there regularly. It is a 2 star hotel, with a fabulous Art Deco lobby and bfest room, and I found it in Fodor's Hotels oc Character and Charm in Paris Book, it runs between $90-$120.00 USD depending upon what time of year you go. And Monica who also posts on this forum, said that they have a room or two that boast Eiffle tower views, though I didn't stay in one of those, it is a very charming hotel, I pulled some jpegs off the web so I can email you pics of bathroom and bedrooms.
3 rue Casimer Delavigne is the address
The staff is top notch. The rooms are quiet, very tastefully decorated, smallish by US standards, though typical for a Paris hotel. Do a search on Grand Balcons, or French hotels and you will find many references to this wonderful hotel.

judy

Yes, try Hotel des Balcons. It is just down the street from the Odeon Theater as well. We enjoyed our stay there many years ago. Glad to hear it is still a good place to stay. Great area.

Louise

Thyra,

Thanks for your response. It prompted me to look at more postings to this discussion site. Does the staff at Balcons speak English? We don't speak any French (yet!) For quietness, would you suggest an inner room, or is a street room OK? Also, what is the best way to book? Looking at the other posts on this web site, I have seen no less than three ways (two different e-mail addresses and parishotels.com).

Thanks again,

Louise

tcc

Hi Louise:

I'm just wondering if you've booked anything yet, as I'm trying to decide when to book my trip to Paris for June. I just spoke with an AirFrance rep. because I had used one of their packages the last time I went in March and they said they haven't priced anything yet for June and won't until March or early April. That seems rather late to me so I'm thinking of going through someone else's package (another poster-Christine- recommended other packages on a previous posting that I'm looking into). What has been your experience?

Sorry for all of the questions. The last time my husband booked the package and now it's my turn!

Thyra

Louis,

as far as I recall the staff did speak some English, and my husband and I speak some (SMALL and I mean a really small bit of French) suffice to say we never had any problem communicating. You may want to consider just picking up a inexpensive cassette phrase tape and learning a teensy bit of French..for several reasons, first of all a phrase or two is easy to learn and will get you about 20X more positive attitude and of course it minimizes the possibility of someone taking advantage, (I've never had to use the "Stop Theif!" phrase yet *knock on wood.. but the " how much is this?" was really handy : )

I made my initial inquiry and final confirmation via fax, (don't like to send ccrd over internet)written in English and very specific about b-fest and ensuite bathroom, and they faxed a return confirmation.

As I recall the return confirmation fax was in French, most likely you know this, but in french it's not day/month/year it's month/day/year... that holds true for all of Europe confused the heck out of me years ago!

In terms of quietness of rooms...hum I am an extremely light sleeper, but I solved the problem years ago by always carrying industrial strength ear plugs with me on all trips. We did have a streetside room and I didn't notice anything, (rue Casimir is kind of a tiny side street) but if you are super sensitive, you might consider asking for an inner room.

Have you been able to find the hotel online?

Hope this is helpful!

Nancy

Here's another suggestion. We just got back from a week in Paris, staying at the Hotel le Regent, 61 rue Dauphine.(e-mail - [email protected]) It was just over a block from the Odeon stop and fits all your requirements. Our room was small (aren't they all?), on the top floor (6tth, but with a lift), quiet, clean, a tiled bathroom, newly re-decorated, had a view and small balcony and cost 750ff per night. It's a three star hotel. The staff all spoke English and were extremely helpful in booking restaurants and giving directions.