theresa

Help! I'm going crazy trying to decide on a hotel for our paris trip. The two hotels I have in mind are the Hotel Lavoisier in the 8th Arr. and Residence des Arts in the 6th. This is a trip with my husband and 8year old son and I want to make sure that I pick the right area - not too crowded and dangerous, not too far from the action. Does anyone have any advice? I have no clue what I'm doing - I've never been to Europe EVER.

Capo

Hi Theresa. The Residence des Arts, in my opinion, is in a superior location, in the very heart of Paris. It's definitely not dangerous there, but I'm not sure what you mean by "too crowded." I'm also not sure what kind of action you're looking for...a lot of street activity, cafes, etc? If so, it's a wonderful area for that. The rue St. Andre des Arts is a lively pedestrian street that's nearby. <BR><BR>I LOVE the enticing photo of the gorgeous room on the Residence des Arts' website below. <BR><BR>http://www.hotel-and-paris.com/pages...f_chambres.htm

Christina

I think those are both nice hotels and in good, safe areas. I think the Residence des Arts is more central and most tourists would prefer that location for that reason. However, it IS very crowded around there, that is a narrow street and there are a lot of people around there, tourists, and some clubs, etc., but not on that specific street (Git le Coeur) so much, but very nearby. So, you will definitely be near the action, but the action is crowded. You might want to try to find comments from someone on that, I think they've been on this forum; I think someone said once that a ground room floor was not desirable due to noise or something. I myself would definitely book that over the Lavoisier due to location (plus it's suites/apts), just being sure I didn't book the cheapest room, probably.

theresa

Thank you SO much both of you for your suggestions. This was exactly what I was hoping someone would know. You guys are great! Street activity and cafes, shops etc. are exactly what I meant by action. I'm sorry I was confusing about "crowded". I meant street noise, etc. late at night if there is a very LIVELY nightlife because I'm trying to think of my son sleeping etc. I'm actually looking forward to the city being full of action. I just wanted to make sure that I was making the right decision because for some reason couldn't find anything on these two hotels in rants and raves. Thanks again - you guys were so helpful!<BR>Theresa

Capo

Theresa, if you're concerned about street noise, you can always take steps like:<BR><BR>. asking for a room in the back, instead of one facing the street.<BR><BR>. if it's a street room, asking for a room on a higher floor.<BR><BR>. bringing earplugs.<BR><BR>. or, finally, opening up a window and yelling "SHUT UP!!!!!!" :~)

theresa

So I guess I go with Residence des Arts unless anyone else has any info about either of those two spots. I'll have to practice the shut up thing! That sounds entertaining. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to walk out of the hotel and in to a train station... <BR>Christina, I meant to ask what you meant about the hotel being apts/suites. Did you mean that as a good or bad thing? Which hotel were you talking about?<BR>Also, do any of you have an opinion about good restaurants/cafes in the area that are casual and won't kick my butt for wanting a diet coke and not knowing how to speak french without a pocket guide? <BR>Also other "must sees" that might not be obvious in the travel guides?

don

The Residence des Arts is the one that has apartments, I think even the studios have kitchenettes. That is definitely a plus with an eight-year old.It is where I would stay with my son who is the same age, if I had the budget for it.

Diane

Hi Theresa, I'm not familiar with the Residence des Arts, but my husband and I stayed at the Lavoisier in September '99 and we loved it. In fact, we will be staying there again when we return to Paris this May. It is located in a less touristy area, so it is relatively quiet at night. The nearest Metro (St. Augustin) is just a two minute walk from the hotel. The staff was quite friendly and our room was lovely. I booked the hotel through www.france.com. This website posts personal reviews of most of the hotels listed, so you may want to check it out. The Lavoisier was also mentioned in Gourmet magazine's March '01 Paris issue as a great place to stay in Paris for under $200. Good luck and enjoy your trip.

Christina

As Don said, it's the Residence des Arts with suites -- oh I'd definitely say that was a good thing with a child. I assumed you picked it partly for that reason. Here is its URL if you haven't seen it:<BR>http://www.residence-des-arts.com/<BR>I just read a review about it last night in Cheap Sleeps in Paris, which recommended it highly and didn't mention any noise problems--I think it also said that is a secluded side street (I believe the comment I read said early trash pickup or something can be noisy). In general, I try to book higher-up rooms in city hotels myself, partly for that reason. I think you should go with that one.<BR><BR>As for restaurants, I don't normally stay in that specific area so nothing special comes to mind other than the usual ones you can read about in guide books. There are plenty of casual places around there, you won't have any trouble finding one, that's for sure. I use the book Cheap Eats in Paris, plus the Zagat reviews (which are free online), as well as my personal guidebooks (Access, etc) and Patricia Wells' A Foodlover's Guide to Paris to pick good budget restaurants.<BR><BR>I had a friend in high school named Theresa Damato, you aren't from Ohio, are you?

Capo

Theresa, I don't know if you're familiar with them or not, but if you wanted to practice the "SHUT UP!!!!!!" thing, there's a great old Cheech & Chong bit called "Sister Mary Elephant." <BR><BR>No one says "SHUT UP!!!!!!" quite like Sister Mary. :~)

Theresa

Everyone, thanks for your help. This board is pretty cool! I booked the Residence des Arts so we'll see how that goes! Pascal the manager said we were getting the room shown on their website so that should be great! I guess all that's left to do is hunt down a Cheech and Chong clip!Christina, sorry I'm from Chicago not Ohio. But close.... Thanks again everyone.

Capo

I hope that works out well for you Theresa. I think you'll really enjoying staying in that area. There's a wonderful little street market in the Rue de Buci, only a few blocks west of where you'll be.<BR><BR>P.S. If you got to the point where you could yell like Sister Mary Elephant in that bit, they'd hear you all the way over at the Eiffel Tower. :~)

xxx

Not sure how Theresa and family liked the Residence des Arts. However, we would have liked to have stayed there if there were suites available but there were none. We just returned from Paris and passed by rue Git le Cour and it is a very small street-like an alley. However, the location is great. Right off the street are many restaurants and stores with character.

x

An update regarding Zagats - the reviews, artings, etc. are no longer free on-line. Now you must subscribe. It had to happen, of course.