Leely2

I remember a Fodor's poster always stayed at Hotel Tiquetonne. I bookmarked it in case I was ever looking for a quick-and-easy cheap hotel.

http://www.hoteltiquetonne.fr/

jamikins

I highly recommend this hotel in the 11th: http://www.cosmos-hotel-paris.com/

You can get a room for about 65euros and it is very near to Oberkampf which is a great area for young people with late night bars and restaurants. The hotel itself is very basic, not a lot of charme, and you will likely need to take the metro into town, but its affordable, safe and near lots of metro lines at Republique.

Definitely buy a booklet (carnet) of tickets and you can share them. We end up walking, even in the winter when we visit Paris. If you are from Canada (I am from Vancouver) then you will probably find it a bit warmer than home, but bring a good winter jacket, hats, scarves and gloves and you will be fine. A good umbrella wont hurt in case of rain.

Have a great trip!

jamikins

Here is our trip report and photos from our trip over NYE in 2009/2010 to give you an idea of what to expect:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...stmas-2009.cfm

kerouac

I hope that we are at last on the right track to help passionfruit.

Leely2

That looks like a great budget hotel, jamikins. And yes, a fantastic location.

julia_t

I stayed at Cosmo's Hotel also called Cosmos Hotel last week. Terrific value and very clean. The rooms are fairly large in comparison to other hotels. 70 euros . Its right on the 96 bus route which takes you through the marais and place des vosges along the rue de rivoli and over the river to Ile de la Cite the
n through st germain and on to Montparnasse. Sorry for lower case but on my phone.
Also in the same area.is Hotel Alhambra where i've stayed as well but smaller rooms. Its recomended here in the destinations section under Paris budget h hitels

passionfruitdrink37

More than on the right track. You have all been so incredibly helpful, and I cannot thank you all enough! This will be my first trip ooutside of North America, and I'm happy I found this website.The advice I've gotten here will most certainly help make my trip as memorable as possible. Thank you all sooo much for taking the time to help!

jamikins

Glad we can be of help! The Hotel Cosmos is now our go to hotel and we haev grown to love the 11th. Julia is right, the 96 takes you right into the Latin Quarter by City Hall and its also great to catch back at night if you are out around that area.

There is a great cafe on the corner for affordable breakfasts and it is also by Richard Lenoir market which is excellent: http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/200...g-trips-france

passionfruitdrink37

I'm having an issue finding a suitable hotel in the city center. I've found several that were quite fine, but my cousin has different standards than me. Is there any chance of finding "generic" looking hotels in the city center? I don't think so, but it seems as though she's not willing to compromise.

mamcalice

What is a "generic looking" hotel? Most hotels in your price range will be small French style hotels.

passionfruitdrink37

We booked something in Montmartre. I'm terribly excited now.

Leely2

Congratulations!

passionfruitdrink37

I'm now wondering if any of you have stayed in the hotel Geranddo in Montmartre? What was your experience like there?

MonicaRichards

Did you look it up on TripAdvisor? not so much the stars people give it but what they say about it. Sometimes people don't like a hotel for no reason that would bother me (i.e. couldn't get room service at 2am), but the good comments are for things I care about.

janisj

If your cousin has 'standards', the hotel Geranddo may not be the best choice for you. I really would look at the reviews on TA.

Did you try the hotel jamikins recommended/linked? The Cosmos gets MUCH better reviews on TA.

jamikins

And the Cosmos is as generic as you get - think Hotel 8. Basic, white walls, white sheets, white bathroom. No charm. It is a basic, affordable, very clean hotel in a much better location I think. I find Montmartre difficult to get to and from but thats just me.

Why does she want 'generic' - is she looking for a chain hotel that is more american in style? I suppose you could check out Ibis Hotels...

jamikins

If she is picky the Hotel Gerando is likely not going to be to her liking - first review on Trip Advisor is:

Spent my honeymoon in the grubbiest, dirtiest hotel ive ever been to...cigarette butts under the bed....grubby carpets, very dim lighting...there was prostitutes at reception when we arrived..it is centrally located but an awful experience....

Might want to do some more research...

StCirq

Montmartre is not the place for a first-time visit to Paris. And I have no idea what "generic" means in relation to hotels in Paris, unless it means that she wants something like an American chain hotel, which is not what I'd ever be looking for in Paris. It's Paris. Get a Parisian hotel. I would scrap the idea of the Gerando and jump on the Cosmos as quickly as you can. Even a Formule 1 would be better; at least you can count on their "formula" to provide you with the basics.

mamcalice

I know it is hard to satisfy everyone when you are traveling but please, please cancel this hotel and move to a more central part of Paris. And do check Trip Advisor. Have you tried any of the recommendations given here? How about the Hotel Cosmos?

passionfruitdrink37

When I said generic, I was talking about the American style chain hotels, I guess. She's into that, even though I told her it would bedifficult to find something like that in Paris. I've booked Cosmos now, thanks to your advice, and hopefully I will not have to cancel another bookin (2 cancellations within 2 days is enough, I fell)
Now from the 11th, is it a long walk to the Eiffel tower, Louvre,Montparnasse, etc?or should we get aa carnet each?