yet another question where to stay (arrondissements) in Paris
 

This is my first time traveling to Paris. I am travling alone. I picked a hotel in the 11th due to the fact I read reviews where it stated they felt pretty safe. Also, I work for a hotel chain and receive a discounted price on my hotel in the 11th. I talked to my friend last nite, who has visited Paris and said the 11th is " a little out there." So I was thinking about getting another hotel mabey in the 6th which is closer but, I will not be able to receive a hotel discount. Money is important but, I am willing to compromise a few dollars if it means a better trip and feeling I am not staying out in the boonies. So what do you think? Is it worth the extra money? Or does it really matter? Also, what hotel in the 6th? Thanks for the help!!!

Many people think the 6th is ideal, as it is central and lively. Which hotel is right for you can only be answered by you, but you might get more suggestions if you post a price and what your needs and preferences are.

But the 11th could be fun for you, depending on the location of the hotel. Is it near a Metro stop? A line with good connections? Convenient to other things? Maybe you would want to read about the 11th and especially the neighborhood of your hotel. You might find that it is someplace that intrigues you. And, if the price is really great, why not take it and splurge a little on other things? Just thinking....

I regularly stay in the 11th and it is not out in the boonies at all. Rather, it is vibrant area with plenty of restaurants, cafes, boulangeries, patisseries, etc. -- in short, everything I want in a visit to Paris. It doesn't have the kind of tourist crush that you'll find in some of the lower-numbered arrondissements and I believe the values are sometimes better as a result. For me, it would be worth absolutely ZERO extra money to move to the 6th, although that is a mandatory area to visit and spend some time. If you're getting a deal, so much the better. Metro connections are excellent from Nation and Republique in particular, but there is really not much of an issue anywhere in that area as far as being connected. Take your discount and enjoy yourself. :)

What is the hotel in the 11th, and where is it located? The closer-in part of the 11th is not what I would call "out there" as it's pretty central and not far from things at all. The ambience is just very different from the 6th, that's the main thing I would say. The 6th is nice, of course, but a lot more expensive.

I have never heard of a Hotel Mabey in the 6th (or anywhere in Paris). Where is it and what is the fee? There are probably lots of other choices in-between those two, or other locations that could be within your budget. If it's only a few dollars, though, I'd stay in the 6th, unless the hotel is a whole lot worse, and then I wouldn't.

There are some parts of the 6th that I don't care for that much, either, or wouldn't find that convenient.

I think that was a typo for maybe.

I think the OP said that maybe a hotel in the 6th would be better, not a Hotel Maybey.

katkat, I think you may be misunderestimating the speed of the Paris public transport network.

You can get on an RER train at Gare de Lyon in the 12th arrondissement, and alight nine minutes later at Étoile in the 8th, at the other end of town.

Don't worry about being in the "boonies" because the 20 arrondissements that make up the central zone are remarkably compact. Take the hotel discount and buy a Métro pass.

It depends. I live in the 11th arrondissement - roughly halfway between Place de la Bastille -- and love it. As Flyboy said, it's youthful and vibrant, with numerous wonderful restaurants, and considerably less expensive than the 5th, 6th and 7th: that "great museum without a turnstyle" on the left bank. It lacks monuments and is short of green space, but full of people who aren't suffering from tourist fatigue. It really depends on you. What to you want from your stay?

CX: Roughly halfway between Place de la Bastille and Place de la Nation.

The 11th is not "in the boonies" or even "out there". For the savings, I'd recommend sticking with that.

There's plenty of dining and nightlife in the 11th just as fabulous as in the 6th.

Hi k,

If it is a nice hotel and near a metro stop, I think you will be happy.

Look up the address at www.mappy.com for metro stops in the vicinity.

((I))

For my two-penn'orth, I agree with Dave. I've had a regular home exchange with someone who lives on the 11th/12th border two metro stops from Bastille, and its charm and advantage is precisely that it's ordinary, real-life Paris. It doesn't have the grand buildings and upper-crust style of the western arrondissements but I realise now those were what I found a bit overwhelming and exhausting about Paris.

Very few parts of the numbered arrondissements have the feel of anonymous suburbia, and none at all in the 11th that I'm aware of. It might help to check the address of the hotel you've got on www.pagesjaunes.fr, where you can see photographs of the streets nearby, and a map to show you how close the metro station is (that's probably the most important criterion). If it will help, tell us which hotel it is and someone might know the area particularly well.

Thanks everyone who has responded. The hotel I am staying at is near the Bastille and from my understanding, the metro is a short distance from the hotel (approx a five min walk). As of extra cost to hotel I am will to spend up between 130-150E for a room in the 6th. I apologize for the typo's I was so tired last nite (yawn) So should I stop spazing out go stay in the 11th and have a good time? Thanks

IMHO yes. I recently stayed near Nation for the first time and was perfectly happy. As long as the metro is at your doorstep you are good to go.

Think of all the food, wine, fun and shopping you can do with your savings.

Don't worry about staying in the 11th. It's not only fine (and safe), but many Fodorites even prefer it to other areas.

Also, learn a little about the Paris bus system. Chances are there are one or two lines that run right by your doorstep. Post the address of your hotel, and we can suggest something. Download the <i>Bus Paris (avec rues)</i> map from this site:

<b>http://www.ratp.info/orienter/tous_plans_pdf.php
</b>

Then see the individual route maps by substituting their numbers for ROUTE in the following URL:

<b>http://www.ratp.info/orienter/f_plan...UTE&amp;fm=pdf
</b>

Buses are generally better for short distances because you don't have to go up and down or walk long distances between lines as in the M&eacute;tro.

oh, that's funny, I never thought of it as a hotel, maybe.... (sounds like an Anne Tyler novel).

I just stayed right near there (place de la Bastille), and it is certainly convenient, so don't change on that reason. I didn't like it as well as other areas of Paris I've stayed in though, just didn't find it as pleasant. IN fact, it was much more crowded and touristy than places I usually stay on the Left Bank. Partly I am just too old for it, I think, so somebody in their 20s might find it more charming. Lots of transients around there, also, sitting around on the street, panhandling, etc.

I'd ask exactly where the &quot;five minutes from the Bastille&quot; is by address. Lots of hotels exaggerate on that point. If it were five minutes north, I'd like it better than five minutes east. Five minutes west would be great, also. I was a little east and didn't care for it. The local corner cafe shut up and had the chairs on the tables by 11 pm every night, for example, and it never was that busy.