Thanks to dln, marcy, and the sale at Northwest Airlines, I'm going to Paris next month! Any help with Carofftel Gobelins hotel?
 

Yippee! I've never been to France so I'm so excited! My girlfriend is going to Paris with me for a short 3+ day stay. My ticket from Tulsa will cost $332, all taxes and fees included. This will be a very budget minded trip, so I've been checking around and Carofftel Gobelins in the Latin Quarter looks pretty good according to tripadvisor and venere, but there's nary a whisper about it here. Can anyone offer any thoughts about this place?

http://www.hotelcarofftelgobelins.com/gb/index.php

Congratulations, Jocelyn. You're in for a treat of a lifetime.

You will have so much fun!! I tried to convince my mom & sister's to go, but they refused based on their political reasons. URGH!

I haven't heard of the hotel you mentioned. If you can go up to 105 euros, I have heard good reviews of Hotel Grandes Ecoles. I can personally recommend Hotel Verneuil but I think it is a bit more.

Hopefully beatchick and francophile can give you some suggestions...

Hey that is Great!!
I am sure you are already reading all the trip reports of those who have traveled recently and making tons of lists!
What fun!!

Jocelyn, I'm very pleased to have inspired a girl trip! What a fantastic price you got. Marcy and I didn't do as well as that, and coming from Indianapolis, we didn't even travel as far as you.

I don't know that hotel, but I did look it up on the map. It's a bit out of the way for walking to the major sites, but do as we did, and take the bus! #91 rolls right past the hotel and will take you wherever you want to go. (We took it down to Place d'Italie, just south of the hotel.) The bus easy, easy, easy once you pick up the map at any metro ticket booth. The metro, of course, is another alternative. Quicker but not so scenic.

I wouldn't worry too much about the hotel since this is just an exploratory trip to Paris. Why do I say "exploratory?" Because I know once you've seen Paris, you'll be going back. And you'll spend so much time walking around sightseeing and shopping that the time you spend in the hotel will be minimal. anyway!

Hi Jocelyn, It's a little bit on the far edge of the Latin Quarter, but if budget is a concern and you don't mind walking it looks like a great deal.

Happy planning!

Thanks, all. dln, I have that mindset already--that this is an exploratory trip. I'll scout things out so I'll know what to do when I go back with my DH.

About hotels: we need to keep it as inexpensive as possible, as this trip was completely unplanned for and we both have major Europe trips coming up in the next few months.

I just talked on the phone with my girlfriend and she's already having dreams about Paris~she got there and packed all the wrong clothes! Oh, by the way, my girlfriend is also a fodorite: btewalt. I'm proud to say I got her started here on fodors. ;)

Well then, Jocelyn, shall we expect dual trip reports from both of you? Hope so. :D

awbaker, my brother won't go to France because he doesn't care for their politics. It drives me crazy because there's no talking to him about it. (Though I personally think the real reason he won't go is because he flunked high school French and still carries a grudge.)

You know what, dln? I don't care for their politics, either, but I'm not going to Paris to visit the politicians. ;)

Last year Conde Nast Travel, which can be pretty snobby, gave good ratings to the Port Royal Hotel on Port Royal Blvd. (in the 5th) for a budget hotel. At that time you could get a double with shower,etc., for under $100. Might be a bit over that now, but still good value for the $$. Check out the website; it looks nice to me.

www.hotelportroyal.fr

Have a wonderful trip!

My sentiments exactly, Jocelyn. Right on!

Jocelyn, last year, end of March - beginning of April, I did a budget minded girls trip to Paris and we chose the Bonaparte hotel. If their rates haven't gone up, I think they have doubles starting at about $100. The hotel was fine, but the area (6th)is fantastic and very safe. That was important to us, as we had no problems or fears walking in the area late at night. Good luck.

What about the St Paul? Good location, good prices, no?
Jocelyn, will you take a carry on?
or are you packing a suitcase?

That is an amazing fare, congrats. I stayed about a block from that hotel so know the area. It is the far end of the Latin Qtr, but is actually a pretty nice area and I liked it a lot. It's only a couple blocks from many good food shops, cafes, a street market, and then the Mouffetard shopping street. There are good bus and metro connections within a block, also. I know several good places to eat right around there.

The Port Royal mentioned above is just around the corner, actually. The Carofftel is on ave des Gobelins (pretty much next to a bistro Elaine just went to, Marty's, that she mentioned in her trip report), and the Port Royal just around the corner on bd de Port Royal.

It looks like a typical budget 2* hotel. I was renting an apt. near there, but needed an extra night so stayed in the 2* Libertel Censier within a couple blocks and it has that same general feel, I think it was a little bit nicer from the photos (decor and I don't think it had TVs on the ceiling, as I hate that and would remember). However, I think it is more around 90 euro--that was to compare value.

The budget 2* Hotel de l'Esperance is right around there also, more off the main drag, and it is highly recommended in many places, also. Their doubles seem to be about 78 euro with shower which is almost the same as the Carofftel -- when in doubt, I'd go with the Esperance as more known. It would be quieter also, if there's any doubt as it's on Pascal and the other on a more major street. It looks slightly more charming, also, although I know that can be deceptive.

http://www.hoteldelesperance.fr

It's a great area, I can advise on places to eat, but there is no problem finding them.

Several folks on here do like the Bonparte as a good 2* hotel, it is certainly central. I think it is much more pricey than 75-80 euro, though, for a double (which would be about USD$100, I guess). I thought I'd seen quotes on here around 140-160 euro but Ira is the expert on that hotel.

Well, dln and marcy stayed at the Bonaparte, maybe they can let you know if the prices are good?

The prices at the Bonaparte are 119€ for a standard room and 139€ for the larger rooms. This includes breakfast. The hotel is a nice, comfortable plain Jane kind of place with both an excellent staff and location. Marcy and I thought it was perfect for our week in Paris.

Jocelyn, Sounds like a great trip. Unfortunately if you are like me it will just whet your appetite for a lot more travel. At Christmas we stayed at a great little two-star hotel in a very convenient location. Hotel Andre de Rivoles. I think it was 82 Euros a night for a twin. The bathroom was cramped but it was clean, had and elevator and it was on the edge of the Maurais district, one block from Hotel De Ville adn four blocks from Notre Dame... not far from the Louvre. As a matter of fact, nothing is too far apart in Paris with their great and speedy Metro system. If you buy a museum pass for the three days you are there you will pay for it in two or three museum visits (including Versaille) and it puts you right in front of all the lines to get it. They are available at Metro stations. Have fun... or maybe we should say "Bon voyage".

Jocelyn,
Glad to be of inspiration! ;;)

I know you'll have a great trip! Do make sure to report back to tell us all about it- especially if you discover a great new budget hotel!

The Bonaparte has gone up since your recent trip, dln; yesterday got a fax (in response to my fax) from them quoting 124 E for smaller, 143 for the larger, for May.

Thank you for all the great suggestions. I've let Becky know about this thread, so we will check these hotels out and let you all know what we decide. We are both absolutely giddy!