Torn Between Two Paris Hotels - Help!
 

I hate my indecision! I'm planning a 2-week trip to Paris (solo) in a few months. I usually go to France every year, but go to other areas and drive around. So I haven't stayed in Paris for more than a couple of days in 7 or 8 years. Previously, I have stayed in the 6th near Luxembourg Gardens and also in the 6th, but closer to Montparnasse. I especially love the hotel near Montparnasse, Hotel Aviatic St. Germain. It's a lovely little 3-star boutique hotel that has 3 closeby Metro options, plenty of restaurants, etc. around (altho maybe not absolutely great ones), easy walk to Luxembourg Gardens (the hotel is on rue de Vaugirard), but not close to Seine, Notre Dame, Louvre, etc. I loved my adorable "superior" room on the quiet street, great A/C, etc. when I stayed there before for 12 days. Now, of course, the prices are a lot more, especially with the dollar/euro problem.

Well, I had about decided to try staying in the 7th for a change, and the Relais Bosquet gets great reviews (on here and especially on Trip Advisor). The price for a standard room there is actually more than I wanted to pay (the superior room definitely too much for me). The 7th sounds appealing in many ways, so I thought my decision was made. Now, I discovered that the Aviatic has some great "internet promotion" rates going on - and I'm back to square one with indecisiveness. For about the same price I could have the "superior" room at the Aviatic.
The standard room would be quite a bit less, and it's small but nice enough (as I have stayed in one for a couple of nights).

Since this is a fairly long stay, and I'm a "senior" , I might tend to stay in the room more (especially at night) than you younger folks. I used to walk all over Paris, but now my feet seem to start hurting much quicker!

I've seen most of the "must see" sites, but want to spend time at the Louvre and d'Orsay and also do some daytrips out of Paris, so good Metro lines will be helpful. I guess my question is "is the 7th worth a try, or should I stick with the hotel that I know I really like? (Or save a lot of money and get the cheaper room there - that's probably my smartest option!)

How about a week in each hotel?

And, use the buses in Paris! Both hotels are conveniently located to routes than run every day and until half past midnight. With the metro, you miss all the scenery. With the buses, you miss the stairs and hallways of the metro, and the stops are much closer to where you're going.

For a two week stay, have you considered an apartment? Rather than worry about standard/superior rooms in hotels, an apartment gives you seating other than the bed and a desk chair, and a kitchen for morning coffee, light meals, snacks, usually for the same or less than a hotel room of similar quality.

One of the joys of Paris is the fresh food markets.

I happen to love the 7th for the food shopping, cafes, restaurants, etc., in every direction.

I would do both. I stay in more than one hotel, during the same trip and in the same city often, depending on where I am in the world. Happy Travels!

I enjoyed the Aviatic, too, though it was several years ago. No way I would move hotels mid vacation - why waste the time packing, moving and unpacking again?
Since you liked it and are familiar with the area, and with the good rates, seems like a no brainer to return to Aviatic, IMO.

I had thought about doing each, but like Seamus says, I don't think I want to spend the time moving. Glad to hear you like the Aviatic, too.
Like the Relais Bosquet, it has lots of great reviews on Trip Advisor. They have refurbished it since I was there, apparently. Yes, I do look at apartment sites sometimes, and some of them really do look great. But having to pay in advance, etc., etc. gives me pause. I don't want to be so committed! Besides, I'd rather do that when I have someone else with me. Well, I'm determined to decide this issue this weekend, so I can go on with my life!

We stay in a hotel for a number of nights ahead of an apartment stay sometimes, when the apartment has not been available all our desired dates.

Half an hour to pack and a taxi ride to your next "home" is really no big deal. We've enjoyed having two neighborhoods to explore. A week is a long time in just one.

Having a kitchen just for morning coffee is a major plus. And, dining out every meal gets tiresome, along with those four walls of your hotel room.

If it is a choice between the two hotels stick with the Aviatic. But please think again about an apartment. If you use a reputable organisation then it will not be a problem and you will have so much more space to enjoy your relaxing evenings in. I could never stay any longer than a few days in a small hotel room. I love the ability to make a cup of tea and sit on a couch to read rather than lying uncomfortably on a bed.

But you must do what YOU feel most comfortable doing.

Schnauzer

I am very partial to the 6th because I can walk to so many museums and parks, but I don't feel that way about the 7th. We ended up on the metro more than I liked when we stayed in the 7th several years ago. Go for the 6th and the hotel you know and love and enjoy being in "your" neighborhood.

We stayed at the Relais Bosquet in May. The hotel is as it is reviewed. But, I thought that the metro at Ecole Militaire was not as convenient as our last stay in - the 1st.

Hi Sue,

>...".....should I stick with the hotel that I know I really like? (Or save a lot of money and get the cheaper room there - that's probably my smartest option!)<

You know the answer.

Enjoy your stay.

((I))

The Relais Bosquet also has 2 apartments. You can find them on their website. As I recall one has a small private garden . You also get maid service every 4th day and the services of the hotel

It takes me about 20 minutes to throw the stuff into a suitcase and then jump in a taxi and go to the next hotel.

I like staying in different neighborhoods if I'm gone for long periods of time, then I don't have to take public transportation to and from the new neighborhood to do things because the moved-to hotel is now in it. Saves a lot of time. Happy Travels!

It is your decision, but I could not imagine staying in a hotel room for such a long time ( especially if you are "in" at night). Last summer I stayed in a nice ( small )hotel for 5 nights , went out every night, and still found it suffocating.
I would look for a studio or one bed. rental near St. Germain.

Dividing your time does sound like a cool way to do it.

I would definitely split hotels, also. I do that a lot if I am in Paris 6-10 days and not renting an apt. Moving hotels doesn't take that much time, at least I don't think so. I agree with djkbooks on that one, and it seems a small time if you are there two entire weeks. I wouldn't even want to stay in the same hotel for two weeks unless you knew you absolutely loved it. I definitely would not risk staying two weeks in a hotel where I had never been, though.

I like trying out different neighborhoods and I tend not to travel all over Paris at night for dinner, etc., I want to stay near my hotel, so I do explore two different areas that way much more than I would just sightseeing in the daytime.

But it is up to you if you really think moving once in two weeks is too disruptive. I guess I don't travel with that much stuff that it's such a big deal.

I would suggest renting an apartment rather than staying in a hotel...you will be able to live like a Parisian, save money on the accomodation and on food. I have done this for the past five years (solo) and it is fantastic. Have found most of the apartments on www.VRBO.com, and have been very pleased with all of them.
Bon voyage!

The 7th is a great place to stay as long as you are near enough to a metro.
It's quiet and spaciousness, a retreat from the wonderful cacaphony of Paris.

I'm enjoying getting everyone's views on this. I'm beginning to think more and more about spliting up the time between the two. I know I would be happy at the Aviatic for the 13 days, as I was before. But I want to experience some of the 7th, too. Like Christina, I don't like to travel far at night for restaurants. I'm usually very tired at night these days. In fact, on my "driving" trips in the provinces, my favorite places to stay have their own restaurants. And I change hotels a lot on those trips! I don't carry much stuff with me, either - I pack very light. My guidebooks are my heaviest items. And that's why I avoid taking my laptop!

I'm sure I would love an apartment, but just don't want to do that this trip. I could possibly have to cancel for various family and health reasons. Mainly the "health" of one of my old dogs! I love them to death, but dogs do tie one down.

Back to the hotels; I was also thinking about going to Reims directly on arrival, and spending 2 nights before returning to Paris. I've always wanted to see the Cathedral, and would like to do a cave tour. I know people do this as a day trip all the time, but I always enjoy places more when I have a room! Any opinions on this and the long day trip?

Thanks again for all the input.

Sue

Just as an example of what you can get for less than Hotel Aviatic or Hotel Relais Bosquet...

http://www.parisbestlodge.com/eiffelapt.html

If "in a few months" will be September or October, you should probably book forthwith.

I pay more attention to the nearby bus routes, especially those that run every day, late into the evening, than metro stations.

djkbooks, his apartments look wonderful! the Studios in St. Germain and/or Eiffel Tower would be great for me. And according to his website and the reviews, he's easy to deal with. Now I'm really confused - thanks! I suppose I could get some insurance to cover myself in case I want to cancel.