Updates on Left Bank Hotels?
Mar 18th, 2013, 01:55 PM
#1
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Updates on Left Bank Hotels?
I have painstakingly researched (and appreciate) the Left Bank hotel thread that Guinmai has spent valuable time originating and contributing to, for a three night stay in Paris prior to a French Waterways river cruise this October. I know it's early days for planning this far ahead, but that's just me and my travel dreaming as regards my favorite city in the world. Wonder if there might be anything new/updates to this listing that would be helpful in offering more choice. $200-250 US is my comfort zone price-wise and I prefer the 6th. Would Hotel Clement continue to be regarded as a good choice? Thank you for any guidance with this!
BTW, last October I spent three nights at the Novotel Montparnesse on Concontin prior to a tour of Provence and it was a hefty walk to the St. Germain area with my wonky knees. Also, traveled with family to Paris again in early June, staying at The Victoria Palace just off Rue de Rennes, which was wonderful but a bit pricey and still not as close to Blvd. St. Germain as I would like.
BTW, last October I spent three nights at the Novotel Montparnesse on Concontin prior to a tour of Provence and it was a hefty walk to the St. Germain area with my wonky knees. Also, traveled with family to Paris again in early June, staying at The Victoria Palace just off Rue de Rennes, which was wonderful but a bit pricey and still not as close to Blvd. St. Germain as I would like.
Mar 18th, 2013, 02:04 PM
#2
Topping for you.
i can appreciate your Victoria Palace issues. We loved the place but when we left I said, "Next time I'd rather stay in a more lively neighborhood."
And no, it isn't too early to plan IMO; I'm already starting to plan a European trip for April of 2014!
i can appreciate your Victoria Palace issues. We loved the place but when we left I said, "Next time I'd rather stay in a more lively neighborhood."
And no, it isn't too early to plan IMO; I'm already starting to plan a European trip for April of 2014!
Mar 18th, 2013, 02:08 PM
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Hi Travelchat,
I stayed at the HOTEL DAUPHINE in the 6th on the Avenue Dauphine last summer. It was about a two minute walk to Pont Neuf and a 3-4 minute walk in the opposite direction to the Boulevard St. Germain.
Not fancy, very French, clean and comfortable, and in you price range. Can't say enough about the location.
I stayed at the HOTEL DAUPHINE in the 6th on the Avenue Dauphine last summer. It was about a two minute walk to Pont Neuf and a 3-4 minute walk in the opposite direction to the Boulevard St. Germain.
Not fancy, very French, clean and comfortable, and in you price range. Can't say enough about the location.
Mar 18th, 2013, 04:45 PM
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Hi again Travelchat,
If you click on my name you will find my June 2012 solo trip report on Paris in which I describe the many museums/sites I ventured to from the Hotel Dauphine. Basically I was out and about during the whole day then returned to the hotel to freshen up before heading to a local bistro for dinner. There are tons of restaurants/bars in the area.
Please let us know what you decide...
If you click on my name you will find my June 2012 solo trip report on Paris in which I describe the many museums/sites I ventured to from the Hotel Dauphine. Basically I was out and about during the whole day then returned to the hotel to freshen up before heading to a local bistro for dinner. There are tons of restaurants/bars in the area.
Please let us know what you decide...
Mar 19th, 2013, 01:45 AM
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Hello Travelchat... I dont know if this applies to you since I dont know how many people are in your party but do you consider to rent an apartment instead? I originally reserved a hotel but thanks to the advise and expertise of the wonderful fodorists I found out it is better and cheaper to rent a flat! I just booked this one for next month, right in the heart of Saint-Germain-des Pres... cheap, convenient and cute... worth checking out: http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-ren...USOwnerInquiry
Good luck and safe travels
Viri
Good luck and safe travels
Viri
Mar 19th, 2013, 02:47 AM
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I like the Hotel Dauphine but think the Clément is better value. Both are in the same neighborhood, on opposite sides of Blvd St Germain. My stay at the Dauphine was three years ago, the Clément was last May and again March 5-10 this year.
For the most recent stay, my niece and I had a junior suite. Her room faced the "courtyard"--no access, really what I would call a large lightwell. The main bedroom faced the street, no noise due to double-glazed windows. I had them open (cracked) at night and there wasn't much street noise. The main room was small, no "hanging out" space but decent storage and a small but modern bathroom. I don't think I would want a "courtyard" room unless on a higher floor.
The hotel has two lounge areas and a nice breakfast room. We only had breakfast two mornings, at 13€ it is mid-range in price but ample and very good quality. I usually do the hotel breakfast on days I'm skipping lunch.
There's work going on at the hotel; I was told about it when I booked. Entrances to the rooms closest to the tiny lift have to be re-configured to meet safety/security requirements. Work never started before 9:00
and didn't bother me, I was staying on the floor where the work was happening. I would think they would
be finished by autumn.
Both hotels have excellent metro/bus access and of course many restaurants at varying prices in walking distance.
For the most recent stay, my niece and I had a junior suite. Her room faced the "courtyard"--no access, really what I would call a large lightwell. The main bedroom faced the street, no noise due to double-glazed windows. I had them open (cracked) at night and there wasn't much street noise. The main room was small, no "hanging out" space but decent storage and a small but modern bathroom. I don't think I would want a "courtyard" room unless on a higher floor.
The hotel has two lounge areas and a nice breakfast room. We only had breakfast two mornings, at 13€ it is mid-range in price but ample and very good quality. I usually do the hotel breakfast on days I'm skipping lunch.
There's work going on at the hotel; I was told about it when I booked. Entrances to the rooms closest to the tiny lift have to be re-configured to meet safety/security requirements. Work never started before 9:00
and didn't bother me, I was staying on the floor where the work was happening. I would think they would
be finished by autumn.
Both hotels have excellent metro/bus access and of course many restaurants at varying prices in walking distance.
Mar 19th, 2013, 01:56 PM
#9
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Latedaytraveler
I will definitely keep you informed of my final hotel choice, most likely in a humble attempt at a post trip report.
Cathinjoe
Now I'm torn between the Hotel Dauphine and The Clement! Argh.
Ticalinda
I've thought about an apartment rental but am traveling solo and enjoy the hotel ambiance and security of being with others. Plus, I usually go for the convenience of the hotel breakfast enabling me to slide into the day whilst shedding the hangover jet lag I'm plagued with for the first couple days.
Thank you for your most appreciated comments!
I will definitely keep you informed of my final hotel choice, most likely in a humble attempt at a post trip report.
Cathinjoe
Now I'm torn between the Hotel Dauphine and The Clement! Argh.
Ticalinda
I've thought about an apartment rental but am traveling solo and enjoy the hotel ambiance and security of being with others. Plus, I usually go for the convenience of the hotel breakfast enabling me to slide into the day whilst shedding the hangover jet lag I'm plagued with for the first couple days.
Thank you for your most appreciated comments!
Mar 19th, 2013, 02:52 PM
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travelchat,
The two hotels are very similar, the Dauphine slightly more upscale. The Clément does a much better breakfast and has lighter, more comfortable seating off the lobby. My husband and I had a decent-sized room at the Dauphine but it was dark. Our son and his partner's room was tiny, the room was hardly wider than the bed.
I don't think you can go terribly wrong with either, we switched to the Clément when the Dauphine raised its prices. Send queries to both and see what they have to offer. In your email, be specific about what you want.
The two hotels are very similar, the Dauphine slightly more upscale. The Clément does a much better breakfast and has lighter, more comfortable seating off the lobby. My husband and I had a decent-sized room at the Dauphine but it was dark. Our son and his partner's room was tiny, the room was hardly wider than the bed.
I don't think you can go terribly wrong with either, we switched to the Clément when the Dauphine raised its prices. Send queries to both and see what they have to offer. In your email, be specific about what you want.
Mar 20th, 2013, 05:43 AM
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Cathinjoetown
Thank you for more detailed comparison between the Dauphine and Clement. I will email both with my requirements, although since breakfast is important to me, I'm leaning toward The Clement at this point and would request a street facing room.
Thank you for more detailed comparison between the Dauphine and Clement. I will email both with my requirements, although since breakfast is important to me, I'm leaning toward The Clement at this point and would request a street facing room.
Mar 20th, 2013, 06:23 AM
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Latedaytraveler
Just finished and enjoyed very much reading the trip report you referenced. It also works well for me to combine independent travel at the front of a tour and am doing exactly that again in October. The plan is to spend three days in the St. Germain area of Paris before moving over to the Hotel du Collectionneurs in the 8th for two nights which begins a Tauck French Waterways eight day river cruise through the Burgundy region. It's fun to do a few days on my own and then relax into a structure that I can just coast along with.
The independant initial three days will be spent strolling St. Germain with perhaps a walking tour - maybe the Hemingway - checking out the Cluny, the Jacquemart-Andre, finally going into the church of St. Germain and the Marche Dept. store (these two after six trips to Paris), walks through Parks Monceau and Luxembourg and lots of eating, of course. Maybe I'll climb to the top of the Arc de Triumph for that killer view when I get over to the 8th.
Rarin' I can hardly wait for all this to happen!
Just finished and enjoyed very much reading the trip report you referenced. It also works well for me to combine independent travel at the front of a tour and am doing exactly that again in October. The plan is to spend three days in the St. Germain area of Paris before moving over to the Hotel du Collectionneurs in the 8th for two nights which begins a Tauck French Waterways eight day river cruise through the Burgundy region. It's fun to do a few days on my own and then relax into a structure that I can just coast along with.
The independant initial three days will be spent strolling St. Germain with perhaps a walking tour - maybe the Hemingway - checking out the Cluny, the Jacquemart-Andre, finally going into the church of St. Germain and the Marche Dept. store (these two after six trips to Paris), walks through Parks Monceau and Luxembourg and lots of eating, of course. Maybe I'll climb to the top of the Arc de Triumph for that killer view when I get over to the 8th.
Rarin' I can hardly wait for all this to happen!
