Traveling to Paris for a few days--any pointers?

Show all answers

Rillifane

"Decent" is rather a vague standard. and even "reasonably priced" can mean different things to different people.

My favorite little hotel is the Hotel St. Andre des Arts. A perfect location in almost the exact center of Paris a few blocks south of the Seine, a block from the Blvd. St. Germain and the Metro, and a few minutes walk to Notre Dame.

A double will cost you 89 euros and includes a simple breakfast of coffee, baguette, butter and jam. Rooms have ensuite facilites that are modern and in good order.

Its clean, pleasant and always full. I've stayed there many times over the last 30+ years and around the breakfast table you'll find that many of the guests are people who return again and again.

On the other hand there is no elevator, no mini-bars, no cable TV (no TV at all in fact), no room service, no swimming pool, health club or spa. There are no coca cola vending machines and no ice machines. It is, in other words, not anything at all like the Howard Johnsons in Davenport Iowa. I observe that there are many people for whom this comes as a terrible shiock and disappointment.

http://www.123france.co.uk/en/0/hotel-saint-andre-des-arts-paris_486_en/index.html

Other similar places are:

Hotel de Nesle http://www.hoteldenesleparis.com/
Hotel des Allies http://www.alliesparishotel.com/

NB: Staying outside the city to save a few Euros is a bad choice.

As a short term visitor every moment in Paris is precious. Wasting any portion of that time commuting to the suburbs makes no sense. Your own time has value and you are spending it in commuting. The expense of traveling back and forth will eat into any savings and the inconvenience of not being able to easily return to your hotel room can be a serious burden. Further, whitle public transpost is excellant in Paris, the principle forms close down at night which makes enjoying the nightlife (which only starts going at 10 PM or later) more difficult. Miss the last train/metro to the suburbs one night and the taxi ride will obviate the savings.

Jacquelina

Frommer's has a great web-site for a one-two-or three day Paris itinerary that I've already used. I would suggest you use a travel agent for finding a hotel, because it's very difficult to find one that isn't outrageously expensive without one. However, if you don't mind staying in a comparitively cheap but clean and safe hotel outside of Paris, then I suggest you stay outside of Paris and take the train into the city. There are traveler's hotels near Versailles that aren't too expensive. Keep in mind that you will have to spend some of the money you saved on the train, though!

ClicketyClack

The link below has a list of hotels and hostels that are the least expensive in and around Paris. Some of the charming smaller hotels are in the middle of the city and around $25-$50 a night. Unbelieveable!! Sacre Bleu!! : P

Bex

go to hotwire.com and they have a 60% off hotels link. The catch is they wont tell you the name of the hotel until you buy it but it will give you the area and how many stars it is. I highly suggest this. I have dont it many times and always end up in great hotels in prime locations!!! I was just there last month and did this. I liked staying near the Eiffel tower. If you ever get homesick (and your american) get a taxi and have them take you to HARD ROCK CAFE... the food is great (you can get ranch dressing) and everyone speaks english, not to mention you can use your american dollars which is kinda fun!!! Also don't be offended at how rude people are, expect it and you won't be disappointed. If you want any other info you can email me and I would be glad to help. daisyray7@yahoo.com

lilacmickey

Camponile and Ibis hotels will probably suit, you want clean and comfy as you will spend most of the time out of the hotel

tee2

I stayed at Citea Auguste, which I thought was cheap. It has a kitchenette in the hotel rooms which lowered cost of eating out all time. Your best friend for travelling around is the metro, it literally get you everywhere. Don't forget to grab a map which you will find in the brochures at the hotel. If you like museums, buy a 2 day museum pass, you will bypass the lineups with the pass. Hope this helps!

Renaud

I like the Ibis hotel chain. Simple and clean accomodations.
I often go to Paris and my preferred location is Bercy-Village (12th arrondissement, southeastern side of the city). It's a newly-redesigned area with lots of bars & restaurants. Kind of a small village atmosphere in the middle of Paris.
There's a very convenient metro stop there (Court St- Emilion), and the modern line #14 brings you to the heart of Paris within 10 minutes.
Ibis has an hotel there: Ibis Paris Bercy Village:
http://www.ibishotel.com/ibis/fichehotel/gb/ibi/1743/fiche_hotel.shtml
Best location as far as I'm concerned.

To find other hotels, expedia.com is my preferred source.

puddleduck

Just a few quick fun things: The Eiffel tower, notre dam, maybe Monet's garden, and eating at creperies!

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: