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-   -   Urgent- Pleaseee HELP - Spain, Italy or France for Xmass and New years (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/urgent-pleaseee-help-spain-italy-or-france-for-xmass-and-new-years-1161191/)

marvelousmouse Dec 14th, 2016 12:03 PM

Well...hotel wise, you get what you pay for usually pay for usually. I like boutique hotels because usually the ones I pick are better in terms of service and amenities than the chain options. Chain hotels are all about consistency, not necessarily excellence. I'd try to pick small boutique hotel with excellent service reviews and a very central location. Your mom isn't as old as my relatives, but small hotels cut down on their walking when they're tired and having food/drinks in or very close by the hotel is an enormous help as well.

I really think you should change your hotel to something more central. I know, you're worried about food prices. But speaking from experience, even posh neighborhoods have affordable options and taxi fares can REALLY add up if you need to take a taxi everywhere.

Lilly2016 Dec 14th, 2016 12:15 PM

ok thanks so much, I will change my hotel

I def do not want to be spending so much on taxi.. and I'm pretty sure with mom we will be taking taxis.. I will be the one walking outside for shops ...

fuzzbucket i will look at those right now ty so much

fuzzbucket Dec 15th, 2016 02:48 AM

Lilly2016 - when you need a taxi, go to the nearest busy intersection and look for a taxi with a green light on top.
Stick out your arm and smile.
A red light on top means it's not available.

It's a good idea to carry the printed address of where you want to go, since taxi drivers don't always speak or understand English.
Most taxis accept credit cards, but some do not.

A taxi has to impose a minimum fare of 7 EU, even if you're only going a short distance.
Most of the trips you'll be taking should be around 10 to 25 EU, depending on traffic.

If you want to reserve a taxi for a certain time, you can do this online or on the phone (in English) using TaxisG7, a reliable company that most of us use. There will be an additional 7 EU reservation fee added to the metered fare. You'll get an SMS describing the model and color of the taxi which will pick you up. Be waiting on the sidewalk a few minutes before pickup time.
https://www.g7.fr/en/

Lilly2016 Dec 15th, 2016 08:46 AM

fuzzbucket ty soooo much for the info.. i would had No idea about all that...

i heard they have uber too?

I didn't like that best western hotel (see below)

---

ok I'm still having trouble with the hotels.. mainly bc

this may sound bad but my mom snores loudly and I was hoping for a room that has double beds FAR from each other or a Suite or a family room, which is hard to find i c.

So the legend that i had booked - i had 2 adjoining rooms

Looking at the options, it seems better to get two separate rooms, as all the double beds i see are connected, and I will not be able to sleep that way..


---

I need the total for both of us to be under $2000 for 5 nights Dec 24-29.

We do care about Non smoking room options, as she has asthma, and the most important is a hotel that is well maintained, bc old sinking beds just hut our backs more (we both have back issues and firm mattresses help) .

I do see the legend is pretty far now

any other suggestions given our preference ? I realize it's last minute ...

Please LMK thank you so much


Here is the result i found when i put the 6th Arr in -

http://www.booking.com/searchresults...ter=facilities

marvelousmouse Dec 15th, 2016 09:43 AM

How about earplugs? Cheap way to save money.

Dayle Dec 15th, 2016 09:53 AM

I havent read thru this entire thing but somethimg tells me thos willne pne ofthose trips that gets canceled at the last minute

I sincerely hope that you do go and have a wonderful time!

fuzzbucket Dec 15th, 2016 10:51 AM

Do you mean you can spend up to 400 EU for 2 adjoining rooms?

You might not get that option, but this is a small, lovely, comfortable hotel - you can ask for rooms on the same floor, but in any case, you won't be far away.

There is a special offer during the holiday season - book fast! Very close to the same area I was talking about - the heart of Saint Germain.

http://www.residencehenri4.com/en/specialoffers/

fuzzbucket Dec 15th, 2016 10:52 AM

Forget Uber. They cannot pick up people on the street, or at the airport or train station. You have to book them directly, and there can be outrageous surge charges.

Stick with regular Parisian taxis. Uber isn't anything magical.

Leely2 Dec 15th, 2016 11:24 AM

I hope you come back and let us all know how the trip was, even if you don't have time for a full report.

I'm a Right Bank person, have only stayed in the 5th & 6th a few times, so cannot really advise. I'd book two rooms, though. Is there some reason they have to be adjoining?

StCirq Dec 15th, 2016 11:36 AM

FWIW, years ago I used to book adjoining rooms at the Hôtel Duquesne-Eiffel, some with a view of the Tour Eiffel. Haven't been there for years, but it's a lovely hotel and if they have a room you will love it.

Lilly2016 Dec 15th, 2016 07:29 PM

Fuzzbucket and StCirqu --- TYYYYYY

between these???

Le Senate (has suite)

La Maison Favart

Hôtel des Academies et des Arts

and the Legend which i booked?

also found a couple in the Eiffel Tower neighborhood.. but I thought this is a better neighborhood?

KTtravel Dec 15th, 2016 08:37 PM

I like the locations of the first two better than the third or the Legend. I don't know either of them personally but La Maison Favart gets excellent reviews on tripadvisor.com.

fuzzbucket Dec 15th, 2016 11:19 PM

The Senat is closer to Saint Germain. Book it if you like it.

The Favart is near the Opera Garnier - on the other side of town, will cost a lot for taxis.
The Academies is close to the Legend - both too far away, taxis, etc.
Any other hotels near the Eiffel Tower will cost too much for taxis.

buzzcolin Dec 16th, 2016 03:23 AM

I got an email for SNCF the French rail network saying they have a flash sale for travel between Paris and Barcelona for only 20 Euros p/p. That is really cheap but not sure what days that applies to. As for Paris I have stayed in 3 different area and loved them all. However that said the St Germain area is super close to the Seine and lots of great sights. Enjoy your trip.

Lilly2016 Dec 16th, 2016 04:00 AM

Thank you everyone

Kt travel i know La Maison was my favorite one esp with the little pool and it was the most $$$

Fuzzbucket and buzzcolin

I booked the Lesenate from a random site Agoda - which had better deals.
I will call them today to make sure my room is reserved.

Now when you guys say closer to sightseeing.. do you mean it's more central ? does the ET area just have the ET there?
also the hotels look sooo close together on the map - all in the 6th Arr..

and again Thanks a million for all your help .. you have no idea how much i appreciate it....

Now i got to hurry and buy the tickets for the Eurorail at a 280$ rate.. yikes.

---

Lilly2016 Dec 16th, 2016 04:00 AM

Oh and one more thing ---
I planned it so --we will be in Paris Dec 24 late at night so really 25, 26, 27, 28 check out 29th head to London with Euro rail arrive 12 noon in London and stay 29, 30, 31st check out on the 1st. I thought Paris had a lot more to see.. but mom wants me to change it and leave the 28th , she says London has a lot more to see.
wish they had the $20 sale for Paris to London..

thursdaysd Dec 16th, 2016 04:38 AM

Didn't we tell you there was more to see in London? And it is not Euro rail, no such thing, it is the Eurostar. I trust you are booking at eurostar.com - and tell it you live in the United Kingdom, the tickets will be cheaper.

Did your guidebooks arrive?

fuzzbucket Dec 16th, 2016 04:51 AM

The Eiffel Tower stands alone. It's in a big park, nothing nearby.

The only things anywhere close to the Eiffel Tower - and they are at least a 30 minute walk away - are the Rodin museum and Les Invalides (Napoleon's Tomb).

There is a lot more to do in London than there will be in Paris during the holidays.

Lilly2016 Dec 16th, 2016 05:23 AM

thank you so much,

Thursday you are a genius thank you for the tip on the eurostar.. sorry i mistyped..

more things to do in London .. Like what???

bw Louvre, Notre Dame, St. Chapel, Champe Lyse, Eiffel Tower, Seine Cruise, and the paris by mouth tour suggested here... we will have time? (final list that's why asking again).

London - what i found was Buckingham palace, london eye, wax meusem only museum mom wants to see. NY eve cruise/ dinner. (found an all day tour to take us to those sites. and from what i can tell our hotel the Hilton is right by the London eye.

what else in London?

thursdaysd Dec 16th, 2016 05:37 AM

If you read back through your threads you will find lots of suggestions and links for London. Use them.


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