Should I stay at Hotel Leveque or Hotel Queen Mary in Paris?
Jan 13th, 2010, 07:19 AM
#44
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I would second the idea that you need to do a lot of reading on tripadvisor (for France and also the ones you posted on other country threads). Tripadvisor will give you a good cross-section of reviews and you can also look at actual pictures taken by people who have stayed in the rooms. Pictures on hotel websites are always of the best rooms.
I do not know if you have traveled to Europe before but you will not find anything like the Westin chain. Rooms will be smaller, older, noisier. There are no wash cloths and no ice machines. Air conditioning is a must that time of year. Check if the air conditioning can be individually controlled from your room or if it is controlled by the hotel.
All of the "diamonds in the rough" have been discovered and they price accordingly. One other thing that you can do is go to the Expedia website and sorts hotels by price in the area where you want to stay. Also read the reviews with them.
I do not know if you have traveled to Europe before but you will not find anything like the Westin chain. Rooms will be smaller, older, noisier. There are no wash cloths and no ice machines. Air conditioning is a must that time of year. Check if the air conditioning can be individually controlled from your room or if it is controlled by the hotel.
All of the "diamonds in the rough" have been discovered and they price accordingly. One other thing that you can do is go to the Expedia website and sorts hotels by price in the area where you want to stay. Also read the reviews with them.
Jan 13th, 2010, 08:23 AM
#45
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Yeah, I went ahead and booked Hotel Queen Mary because the price was so good and Fodors recommends it. I know it won't be as upscale as a Westin, but it is no big deal. I am still going to look around though because of all the amazing feedback on the Le Marais district. Perhaps I will find a hotel in the Le Marais district that I really like and for a comparable cost to the Hotel Queen Mary (130 Euros.) Caron de Beaumarchais was 184 Euros more than Queen Mary so I couldn't see justify spending that, especially since I was getting an interior room. Everyone's feedback is wonderful -I really appreciate it.
Jan 15th, 2010, 06:53 PM
#46
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jill did you check on tripadvisor? queen mary hotel, someone on there has reported a bad case of bugs!! many bites over a couple of nights! apparently the sheets were changed, did not help and a visit to 2 doctors for treatment. the hotel paid.
perhaps have a read and decide for yourself?
good luck. we will be in paris in may looking forward to it.
we asked about coffee ordering on another thread based on our experiences last visit. think we understand now.
regards.
perhaps have a read and decide for yourself?
good luck. we will be in paris in may looking forward to it.
we asked about coffee ordering on another thread based on our experiences last visit. think we understand now.
regards.
Jan 15th, 2010, 07:09 PM
#47
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Pully - yes, I did read that review. It seemed like an isolated case so I didn't fret over it too much since most of the other reviews were great. Talk about a great deal too! 456 Euros for 4 nights and seems very cute from the outside and the rooms look nice and seem like a good size. (for European standards.)
Where are you staying? May will be a lovely time! We are going June 29th-July 3rd.
Where are you staying? May will be a lovely time! We are going June 29th-July 3rd.
Jan 15th, 2010, 11:55 PM
#48
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Jill, I don't understand why you say "Caron de Beaumarchais was 184 Euros more than Queen Mary ...I was getting an interior room."
The price at CdB http://www.carondebeaumarchais.com/3_star_hotel.html
is 185 Euro for a front side room, so 185 E is the price and it can be 184 Euro more than the price at other hotel!
The price at CdB http://www.carondebeaumarchais.com/3_star_hotel.html
is 185 Euro for a front side room, so 185 E is the price and it can be 184 Euro more than the price at other hotel!
Jan 16th, 2010, 02:45 AM
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hi jill not confirmed yet but will be soon. we were there last may and yes weather was ok.
we were surprised at the number of smokers and found it difficult to find places to sit at cafes away from them.
plus the outside/inside, sitting/standing prices etc we were a little confused about, but i think we are getting a handle on the custom.
and apparently it is considered unsophisticated to ask for cappuccino!!?
however i note it is listed on the menu in some of the upmarket restaurants so who knows/who cares!
fascinating and fun travel and love this forum. its hilarious at times too.
regards.
regards.
we were surprised at the number of smokers and found it difficult to find places to sit at cafes away from them.
plus the outside/inside, sitting/standing prices etc we were a little confused about, but i think we are getting a handle on the custom.
and apparently it is considered unsophisticated to ask for cappuccino!!?
however i note it is listed on the menu in some of the upmarket restaurants so who knows/who cares!
fascinating and fun travel and love this forum. its hilarious at times too.
regards.
regards.
Jan 16th, 2010, 07:27 AM
#51
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Valtor - I am referrig to the overall total cost. Hotel Queen Mary is 456 Euros for 4 nights (fantastic deal, while Caron is 640 Euros.) Plus, the only room I would have considered in Caron are the front facing rooms since the courtyard rooms are TINY and my husband and I will both have luggage.
Pully - I am a bit worried about the smokers too. I am a nonsmoker myself, however my parents smoked growing up so perhaps I will just have flashbacks?? HAHA.
Pully - I am a bit worried about the smokers too. I am a nonsmoker myself, however my parents smoked growing up so perhaps I will just have flashbacks?? HAHA.
Jan 18th, 2010, 05:45 AM
#52
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Altho it has been 4 years, we stayed at the Leveque and it was the perfect location as it is on a very "french" street. The street had a linen store, butcher shop, pastry shop, vendor that sold chocolate crepes, even Parisians walking their dogs. Bistro around the corner where we ate lunch one day sitting next to a poodle on a chair! Ahhh, Paris.
The hotel even has a cute little elevator that fits 1 person and a bag. The hotel is walkable to the eiffel, and metro stops very close by. We took the metro everywhere. Really simple. Have fun
The hotel even has a cute little elevator that fits 1 person and a bag. The hotel is walkable to the eiffel, and metro stops very close by. We took the metro everywhere. Really simple. Have fun
Jan 19th, 2010, 04:35 AM
#53
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We stayed near Louvre. For us it was the best location, it is also near metro stations, near Place de Concorde, etc. We paid each time around 100 Euro, very clean hotels, small rooms, nice decoration in lobby. We stayed once at Hotel Montpensier 12, rue de Richelieu http://www.hotel-paris-montpensier.com/english/Main.htm
Next time we stayed at Hotel Prince Albert - 5, rue Saint-Hyacinthe http://www.abotelparis.com/abotel-pr...sentation.html or http://www.rooms-online.net/paris/ab...bert_hotel.htm
In price is included the breakfast. Prince Albert has A/C
Next time we stayed at Hotel Prince Albert - 5, rue Saint-Hyacinthe http://www.abotelparis.com/abotel-pr...sentation.html or http://www.rooms-online.net/paris/ab...bert_hotel.htm
In price is included the breakfast. Prince Albert has A/C
Jan 19th, 2010, 01:49 PM
#55
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<i>".... since the courtyard rooms are TINY and my husband and I will both have luggage."</I>
... couldn't resist!
I sure hope you'll have luggage, even if only one 22" carryon (which is doubtful)! Or did you plan to do all your shopping on arrival?
<i> or that W Hotels are upscale?</i> Not!
Sorry to say, but OP is posting all over this Forum, coming out of nowhere and doesn't seem interested in comments or suggestions (even if varied) from those who have "been there, done that!"
... couldn't resist!
I sure hope you'll have luggage, even if only one 22" carryon (which is doubtful)! Or did you plan to do all your shopping on arrival? <i> or that W Hotels are upscale?</i> Not!
Sorry to say, but OP is posting all over this Forum, coming out of nowhere and doesn't seem interested in comments or suggestions (even if varied) from those who have "been there, done that!"
Jan 19th, 2010, 01:57 PM
#56
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Sandi - of course, I am interested. Because of these wonderful forums, I have taken the advice from many Fodorites in which I am grateful. (just not everyone) Hope that is okay with you. haha
Jan 19th, 2010, 02:01 PM
#57
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I am amazed that you are able to follow the advice of anyone since you have so many different threads going on at once for one trip. I realize you are new, but the correct protocol is to just start one thread for your trip and post all questions there. Just trying to be helpful.
Jan 19th, 2010, 02:05 PM
#58
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Someone else gave me the advice of starting a new thread if it is a new topic. Being that I am going to Europe for three weeks and all to places I have never been, I have a lot of questions - hence the different threads. Everyone has been so wonderful and yes, hearing everyone's opinions is great because each time I learn something new and I formulate my own opinions. Thanks for the heads up though - appreciate it.
Jan 19th, 2010, 02:41 PM
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Hi Jill,
You have two threads going on the Le Meridien hotel in Nice. Have you taken previous advice and checked tripadvisor? It will tell you so much about a hotel (noise levels, surrounding McDonald's, etc.).
Also for your rail advice, if you read through Rail Europe and look at the FAQ there is a ton of info (like how many days advance purchase, etc.). You can also call and ask them questions, there is no charge for that. The other website to really study is "the man in seat 61 (www.seat61.com). He is the "guru" of rail travel.
I think that a lot of your questions can be answered by doing some additional reading and research.
You have two threads going on the Le Meridien hotel in Nice. Have you taken previous advice and checked tripadvisor? It will tell you so much about a hotel (noise levels, surrounding McDonald's, etc.).
Also for your rail advice, if you read through Rail Europe and look at the FAQ there is a ton of info (like how many days advance purchase, etc.). You can also call and ask them questions, there is no charge for that. The other website to really study is "the man in seat 61 (www.seat61.com). He is the "guru" of rail travel.
I think that a lot of your questions can be answered by doing some additional reading and research.
