When I went to Amsterdam last June, I found a few websites which allowed me to make reservations and lock on phenomenal pricing for 4 and 5 star hotels.

Are there websites similar to this for Paris?

Also, I want to stay in the heart of Paris where most things are within walking distance. Like the Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, or Sacre Coeur. I will be in Paris for four days in the end of February, obviously my first trip.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I really like www.france.com (http://www.france.com) - the french hotel reservation network. I use them alot.

I haven't stayed in a four or five star hotel in paris, but have found a few nice and cheap three stars that have done me good stead and left me enough cash to hit longchamp and dehillerin.

http://www.parishotels.com/

I have been in Paris at least 30 times.
"My" hotels are all in St. Germain/Montparnass:
Hotel L'Universitee, 2 Hotel(s) Lenox; St. Germ. is the better one, Hotel Suede.
People on this board say Hotel Boquet is good too. Have not been there, area is good.
http://www.relais-bosquet.com/engl.htm#tarifs

Best sources for ratings:

http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichelin/gbr/dyn/controller/HomePage

http://www.gaultmillau.fr/

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by lalala:
I really like www.france.com (http://www.france.com) - the french hotel reservation network. I use them alot.

I haven't stayed in a four or five star hotel in paris, but have found a few nice and cheap three stars that have done me good stead and left me enough cash to hit longchamp and dehillerin.

</font>

Well you are the first person I have seen on these ( as far as I can recall) boards to show some interest in Horse racing one of my favourite pastimes ( particularly the gambling aspect of the sport)
Highlight of my 2000 visit to Paris was a visit to Longchamp for the Prix Arc de Triomphe won by Sinndar.
Mike

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by USAFAN:
http://www.parishotels.com/

I have been in Paris at least 30 times.
"My" hotels are all in St. Germain/Montparnass:
Hotel L'Universitee, 2 Hotel(s) Lenox; St. Germ. is the better one, Hotel Suede.
People on this board say Hotel Boquet is good too. Have not been there, area is good.
http://www.relais-bosquet.com/engl.htm#tarifs</font>

"My" home in Paris is Hôtel Relais Bosquet:

http://www.relaisbosquet.com/

I don't consider staying anywhere else. While it is in a very good area (7th Arrondissement) many people would not consider it to be within walking distance of a number of attractions (although the area is well served by the Métro and buses). It is, however, close to Ecole Militaire, Les Invalides and the Eiffel Tower. The area (Rue Cler neighborhood) is quiet and safe and the hotel itself is very clean, comfortable and well run.

(edited to add link to hotel)

[This message has been edited by bbinchi (edited 01-06-2002).]

Hi Analise,

Priceline has no phenomenal deals on 4 and 5 stars in Paris like the Marriotts in Amsterdam, if that's what you are referring to http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/frown.gif
I found 'pricelining' Paris difficult, as it is impossible to know where you will end up, unlike some other cities. Also, in Paris there are large variations in quality between Priceline hotels of the same category.

Better to scour Google for booking engines, some of which are listed above, make a list of a number of candidates, and mark them on a good map, as location is important in Paris.

Paris 4 and 5 stars are expensive without exception, but the city has plenty of quaint and charming 2 and 3 stars (around $100 a day in a prime area).

I would not recommend staying near the Sacré-Coeur, as there is a red light district at the foot of the hill. Also, steer clear of the more affordable ** hotels near Place d'Italie, a somewhat depressing area which has no business being your home during your first trip to Paris http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

My vote would be for the Left Bank area between the Musée d'Orsay and St.Germain, which would be within walking distance of most attractions, and have plenty of eateries, unlike some more residential arrondissements.

[This message has been edited by monahos (edited 01-06-2002).]

Hi,

If you really want to visit Paris and feel like you are a Parisian for the short time you are there..then rent an apartment! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

Aptarments are very cheap compared to hotels for short term stays and you can eat out or prepare your own meals with food from local shops

Check out the following 2 companies...My wife and kids have used both companies and were VERY pleased with their services.

Try to get an apartment in the 1st 4th 5th
or 6th district. If you can find availability, try to get one of the coveted apartments on Ile de St Louis.

http://www.apartment-paris.com/
http://www.parisvacationapartments.com/

Write to me offline if you need more tips.

I'd also vote for St. Germain as the area you'd most likely want to stay. Don't forget that after you inevitably get tired of walking, that Paris has an elegant, efficient Métro system.

*Sigh*, after Amélie and Moulin Rouge (my favorite movies of 2001), I can't wait to see Paris again, even if Paris isn't quite as beautiful as in those movies. Enjoy your trip!

Thank you all so much. It sounds like St Germain is the favorite among you all so I will look there first.

When I was in Amsterdam, I stayed at the Grand Krasnopolski (Golden Tulip Hotel) which I found from a website and had a super deal.

Given what you all have said, I'll shoot for 3 star accomodations. I definitely don't want to be near the red light district! As with NYC having different neighborhoods, I know that Paris is similar and that each person likes different things. If I were travelling with someone else, I'd rent an apartment because I've heard so many wonderful things about doing that. But on my own, I'd rather be in a hotel.

I'll check the websites suggested already for hotels in St Germain.

I, too, prefer to stay in the quiet 7th. Arrondissement.

The metro is close and easy. From this hotel, we have walked to everywhere in Paris (except Sacre Coeur).

The Hotel de La Bourdonnais is our favorite. It's clean, friendly, modern, and priced fairly. They also like Americans very much. They often include breakfast free if you ask for this during the reservation process.

Yes, rue Cler is a few blocks away with our favorite cafe for dinner (Cafe du Marche).

This hotel is a couple short blocks from the above mentioned Hôtel Relais Bosquet.

I call the hotel directly (EARLY in the US morning) at 011-33-1-47-05-45-42.

From the street side, if you stick your head out your window , you can see the Eiffel Tower (only a few blocks away). The view is extra cool at night. The street sounds quiet down around 9pm. I usually pass up the view for the verrrry quiet back side of the hotel.

If you search google.com for "Hotel de La Bourdonnais" you will find numerous sites that will show you the hotel, although I still prefer to call them directly on the phone. I even feel good after booking a room with them!

If you have questions about getting between CDG and your hotel, just email me.

BTW, we're staying there for 11 nights in March/April!

You're staying 11 nights? Wow you must really be fond of it.

Are there any guidebooks you all recommend? Should I get the green Michelin? Lonely Planet? I want something which will give me real information, ideas of walking tours, insights on what to do on Monday and Tuesday of my stay there since it seems many things are closed. I leave the next day on Wednesday! Something not bulky but reliable.

Just to clarify, when I refer to St. Germain, I mean the 6th Arrondisement. Here's my overly generalized impressions of the Arrondisements as compared to New York City (no insults intended):

1st ~ Midtown East + Upper East
3rd/4th ~ West Village/Christopher St.
8th ~ Upper East

5th ~ East Village + Greenwich Village
6th ~ Village + SoHo
7th ~ Midtown East + Upper West

I think the museums (if that's what you're into) alternate days of closure. A quick check shows, for example, the Musee d'Orsay closed Mondays while the Pompidou is closed Tuesdays. With such a short visit I would strongly consider skipping the Louvre, although if you get the Museum Card you might pop in if there is something there you absolutely must see.

I like the cross-section with NYC. Clever! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif I'm actually arriving in Paris either late Thursday 2/21 or on Friday 2/22 and then returning to NYC on Wednesday 2/27. So I'll have at least 4 full days or probably 5.

flightrisk's parallels between Paris and New York concord with my limited knowledge of your city. At any rate, there should be no need to venture into the 'double-digit' residential arrondissements but for the Sacré-Coeur; the southern ones are working-class, the western ones posh, and the northeastern ones a little rough.

The green Michelin has a comprehensive description of monuments but little about extracurriculars; my copy being the family's mid-70's edition, it could have evolved since however http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif . Although I rely on Lonely Planet for visits to more exotic countries, I think it might be a little thin on the cultural and historical aspects so intrinsic to Paris. I find the more traditional guides such as Fodors very diluted, as they devote much space listing hotels and restaurants in which one runs into fellow Fodors-carrying Americans... That said, there is a bevy of guides on Paris from non-major editions, which another FT'er might know more about.

For me it would be a green Michelin, a map, and a sense of adventure. Most main sights and their surrounding areas have become overly touristy (witness the 'greek' restaurants near Bd. St Michel), and it could be argued one would be better off without the standard 'game plan'.

Paris is full of refreshings surprises... some of my good memories:
- indiscreetly peeking into a seemingly empty small window and having the mustachioed baker within wink back. I was smiling for the rest of the day http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif
- being brought a huge, communal bowl of marinated fish, asking 'is it all for me?', and being told 'if you can eat it!', at a now closed Montmartre restaurant
- being sent to Paris on a 6-month project while my non-french speaking colleagues went to Detroit instead
- riding my bicycle in central Paris on car-free summer Sundays
- the bread! any bread over 3 hours old can be considered stale in France...


Some things outside the main sights:
- musée Picasso in the Marais, a down-to-earth, very French area, delightful to get lost in. The museum is pretty good too, if you like the genre
- the bookstores in the 5/6th arrondissements, to immerse yourself in a continental collegiate atmosphere
- a visit to one of the many Sunday morning street markets, to grasp how seriously the French take their eating http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif
- a riverside stroll, Left Bank/ Ile de la Cité / Ile St. Louis, inspiring at day and romantic at night (at night watch for the homeless, though, they are not as harmless as say Japanese ones)
- people watching in a Bd. St.Germain café
- an evening at the Opéra (costly), or at one of the many affordable theaters (ask your hotel). Even the Comédie Française was surprisingly affordable.
- the major department stores clustered in the 2nd arrondissement, and the luxury shops in the 1st, if so inclined.

If you do go to the Louvre, just go straight to your area of interest, and take the little known side entrance rue de Rivoli. The Louvre's café is fairly good too.

As for eateries, you might consider a post in the Air France forum, or peruse their older posts. They seem to be a jolly, epicurean lot... If you want suggestions from a possibly younger age group, I could ask some local friends too...


For your transportation, refer to the RATP's site, which has a route planner convenient for longer trips (to Versailles, the airport, etc.)
http://www.ratp.com/index_eng.htm


Enjoy your trip, and watch for the ubiquitous dog droppings! The vacuum-cleaner equipped motorcycles meant to counter them were recently disbanded...

[This message has been edited by monahos (edited 01-10-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">... Are there any guidebooks you all recommend? Should I get the green Michelin? Lonely Planet? I want something which will give me real information, ideas of walking tours, insights on what to do on Monday and Tuesday of my stay there since it seems many things are closed. I leave the next day on Wednesday! Something not bulky but reliable.[/B]</font>

I have come to like Rick Steve's books for everything except the pretty pictures (none) and his choice of hotels is one notch below mine. But his books are great on what to see, especially Musee d'Orsay (outstanding impressionism and even the cafeteria is OK and cheap!).

Many of our localbookstores are sold out of great travel books right now because of the holidays. You may need to hurry through an order to amazon.com.

Maps are free from most every place in Paris (like your hotel and Prin Temps (sp) Department Store). Just ask at your hotel.

BTW, the free maps have a coupon/ID on the corner good for a 10% discount at Prin Temps. I think that you may have to show your pasport with the coupon. the cashiers are happy to grant the discount with the correct documentation.

[This message has been edited by roberto99 (edited 01-10-2002).]

I'm a big fan of the timeout series. I get a new Paris and London timeout every year.

They are not bulky, but heavy. Good if you are looking for the wierd. Great restaurant recommendations too.

www.timeout.com (http://www.timeout.com) has lots of stuff on line, including whats on for each month.

I'm going to paris next saturday for the day. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif Really. Shop, eat and putter for the day and back to the wilds of N. Finchley that night.

lala

P.s. I really detest rick steves and his guidebooks. I have grown sick of rickians running around Rome and Paris doing a Ricksperience with a rick-nick and rick-sak for the day.

p.p.s. I even went on rick tour to turkey, so that makes me even wierder.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by monahos:
Some things outside the main sights:
- musée Picasso in the Marais, a down-to-earth, very French area, delightful to get lost in. The museum is pretty good too, if you like the genre
</font>
Agreed! For my next stay, I want to try to stay in the Marais (anyone have recommendations?). This area is so charming because there aren't huge boulevards and grandiose buildings, so it feels very comforting.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">- an evening at the Opéra (costly)
</font>

But most operas are at that garish new Opera Bastille. The opera house reminds me of the PDC in Los Angeles -- big, blue glass, geometric shape. The Opera Garnier is a grand, elegant European opera house, worthy of the tour even if you don't see something there.

Regarding shopping, I prefer the Galeries Lafayette--an interesting, classical building and mid- to high-end stuff.

I must second that the Time Out Paris Guide is the best guide book to Paris, as well as for many other cites around the world. Each Time Our Guide is written by residents of the city, not some 2 week tourist.

Rick Steves' Paris guidebook would be especially helpful for a first-timer:

http://www.ricksteves.com/marketplace/books/france.htm#paris

Also, he provides a lot of free online travel tips here:

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/countries/france.htm

And there's quite a lot of other helpful planning information and a bulletin board on www.ricksteves.com (http://www.ricksteves.com) if you browse around.

Kathy

Lalala:

Thanks, Timeout looked good to me I bookemarked it.
Also this one: http://www.paris.org

http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichelin/gbr/dyn/controller/HomePage

http://www.gaultmillau.fr/

We like the *** Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais in the 4th. It's a very quick walk (5 minutes) from Ile St. Louis and the Notre Dame, close to a Metro stop, and very Parisian. Their website is http://www.carondebeaumarchais.com/ and states "enquire about special rates in certain months" and February is one of the special months. The staff at this hotel is especially helpful, the delicious breakfasts are served in the delightful "cave" basement or in your room. I preferred the basement as they have daily papers and lots of guidebooks to peruse. There are many wonderful bistros and cafes very nearby.

I like the Eyewitness Guides, they are published by Dorling Kindersley. The Michelin Green guide is excellent if you like a lot of historical and architectural detail. Do not miss Sunday Mass at Notre Dame. After the service we attended the organist performed a long piece (no idea what) and the music was so incredibly moving that I had tears streaming down my face.

Warning! Once Paris is in your blood, most other cities in the world will seem ugly and boring. One more hint for maximum enjoyment: try to speak a little French and you will find Parisians to be very friendly and helpful. Have the concierge or a friend teach you how to say, "I'm sorry, I don't speak French. Do you speak English?" and your trip will be more enjoyable. Also, always greet people with, "Bonjour Madame (or Monsieur)," especially when entering a shop or buying things like museum or Metro tickets. The French are much nicer now than in past years, especially if you use the above hints. Enjoy your trip!

[This message has been edited by Dianne47 (edited 01-18-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Dianne47:
... Do not miss Sunday Mass at Notre Dame. After the service we attended the organist performed a long piece (no idea what) and the music was so incredibly moving that I had tears streaming down my face....</font>

Dianne47:

First of all, thank you for the information about the Hôtel Caron de Beaumarchais. Some friends are visiting Paris in April and, although I have suggested they stay at Hôtel Relais-Bosquet, they want to stay in the Marais; I will pass along the link.

I must also tell you, as someone who is devoted to the organ (alas, only as a listener), how happy I was to read your comment about the music at the conclusion of the mass at Notre-Dame Cathedral. In the glorious tradition of French organists, the "sortie" of the mass (called "postlude" in American churches) is often improvised and, at Notre-Dame Cathedral in particular, it would surprise me if the music you described had not been improvised. One of the Cathedral's three "titular organists," Olivier Latry, is world-renowned for his gifts as an improvisateur; perhaps you heard him play the mass. In addition to Notre-Dame Cathedral, you are likely to hear brilliant improvisations at St. Eustache (Jean Guillou), St. Etienne du Mont (Thierry Escaich); St. Sulpice (Daniel Roth); La Trinité (my friend, Naji Hakim); and Notre-Dame d'Auteuil (another friend, Frédéric Blanc). I know how you felt about the music -- I, too, have been moved to tears many times while sitting in the organ loft with Naji or Frédéric during a service and at the other churches mentioned.

And I completely agree with you about how friendly and helpful Parisians will be, especially if one attempts to speak a little French while always including, as you suggested, "Bonjour Madame (Monsieur)."

Bill

Another link (with links) to hotels.

http://www.franceguide.com/gb/sejour/oudormir/hoteller.cfm

http://www.leshotelsdeparis.com/

Merci beaucoup!

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to comment on hotel suggestions. Because I will be there during a major fashion show, many of your suggestions were very popular. I have selected the Holiday Inn St Germain-de-Pres. I cannnot wait finally to see Paris, a dream for me. And yes, I do speak some french (well I studied it in college and in prep school). So hopefully I won't embarrass myself too much.

Thanks again!
Analise

The HI St G-d-P is actually a very good choice. It's got a great location between the Montparnasse Tower and th Bd St-Germain, and the 2 rooms I've had there have both been unusually roomy for Paris. One even had a view of the Eiffel Tower, if I craned my neck a bit. Best of all, the St Placide metro stop (1 min away) has an escalator from the train level to street level -- in Paris, you can't ask for much more than that.

Does anyone know anything about Le Meridien Montparnasse? It has great rates for an (Expedia and Travelocity rated) 5 star hotel.
Thanks!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Does anyone know anything about Le Meridien Montparnasse? It has great rates for an (Expedia and Travelocity rated) 5 star hotel.
</font>

I've stayed there twice; it's not my favorite place, but I can understand why some people like it.

The best thing about the Meridien is the size and comfort of the rooms and bathrooms. The rooms are similar to what you'd expect in a Hilton or Sheraton in the U.S.: they're comfortable, with reasonable space for you and your belongings. (And this is not the case in most hotels in Paris, even in some very fancy ones.)

I hate the location of the Meridien. It's on a totally uninteresting street, and it's a 5- or 10-minute walk to a decent bar for a morning coffee and croissant. It's also a pain to get anywhere else in the city: it's inevitably a long subway ride that includes a change of line, and the RER doesn't come anywhere close to the hotel. The best thing about the location is that the Air France buses go from the hotel (across the street, actually) to both Orly and CDG.

The lobby of the hotel tends to be stuffingly smoky, and the restaurants are only fair at best. The fancy restaurant is nothing special, and the main restaurant serves a pricey all-you-can-eat buffet. The buffet is actually not a bad idea if you don't feel like dealing with the rituals of French restaurants.

In short, if I'm not really interested in roaming around the city and need only a comfortable room/bed, the Meridien is ok. Otherwise, I'm much happier in the Holiday Inn, the Sofitel Scribe (near the Opera), the Hyatt Madeleine, or one of the smaller hotels (Ferrandi, for example) in a nice neighborhood.

I'm in Paris now (have been since Thursday) and wanted to thank all of you for your assistance. The HI St Germain des Pres is perfect for me---right price, right locale. I love the St Germain des Pres arrondisment as well!!

I feel I now have a mastery of the Metro. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif And the tickets in advance advice you all gave was wonderful. I'm having such a great time and have you all thank.

Merci beaucoup http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

So Analeise, did you have the privilege of meeting blairvanhorn and celbrian yet? That is a MUST of highlights while in Paris! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

Analise:

How much is a night in HI St. Germain?
I go to Paris in April and need a hotel.
On my list are:
1)Hotel Ferrandi - 92, rue du cherche-Midi, BTW there is Polain, a first class bakery
2)Hotel Jardins du Luxembourg (des) -
5, impasse Royer Collard
3)Hotel Lennox, St. Germain
4)Hotel Lennox, Montparnass
I have lived in 3) and 4)

You have mail - restaurant with hundreds of people are lining up every evening.

I got a very good deal at the HI. $129 for the first three nights and $93 for the last three. The hotel is in an excellent location and the room was clean, decently sized, and pleasant. The bathroom was enormous for European standards. The one thing I will add is while the desk staff is very friendly, they are not very bright. They could not direct me to the Metro even though I found out that it was merely around the corner. They had absolutely no sense of direction (one man thought the Musee d'Orsay was in Montmartre) but they were at least kind. I also liked that they had copies of several different newspapers every morning in the lobby. I do recommend it.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ldsant:

So Analise, did you have the privilege of meeting blairvanhorn and celbrian yet? That is a MUST of highlights while in Paris! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif</font>

I'm so glad you asked, ldsant! While I didn't meet Celbrian (though I've heard only great things about him!), I did meet Blair. And without a doubt, he made my Parisian trip so warm, welcoming, and worthwhile. Hmmm, I was unintentionally alliterative! I loved that with each restaurant we went (he took good care of me), the owners greeted him so warmly. Everybody knows you, Blair! Hmmm, maybe it's all Marlowe? I learned the important life lessons of going out in Paris like calling your voice mail before your evening's activities! That's good advice even outside of the St Germain des Pres. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

In all seriousness, I've made a wonderful friend and I cannot be more grateful for that. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif Thank you Blair.

Oh, and this is for Blair, it was A Season in Purgatory. I remembered it on the metro.




[This message has been edited by Analise (edited 02-28-2002).]

Found $ 119 for HI St. Germain on the web for April/May 2002

http://www.paris.org/Hotels/hotel.cgi?7972182105040522012107091801180477757070 76

I have never booked through this company!?!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by USAFAN:
Found $ 119 for HI St. Germain on the web for April/May 2002...
I have never booked through this company!?!</font>

Beware of this outfit (HotelDiscount.com), which is where the paris Pages site redirect you. They list a price of $119.95/night for the Holiday Inn, but then they add on so-called "tax and service" charges, which bring the price way up.

I'm headed there for 3 nights in May, and because of your post, I checked out the web site. Rooms were indeed listed for $119.95/night, but the total price for 3 nights was $438 -- that's nearly $80 more than 3*119.95!!!! The Holiday Inn site offers rooms at the hotel for €157.50 (about $138), but that includes tax/service and is actually cheaper than the Paris.org/HotelDiscount price.

Wideman - thank you very much. Sorry, I didn't know better, and I hope you didn't have to spend more money.
I have not made my reservation for Paris yet. If I am going to stay at the Holiday Inn, I'll use their website or call the hotel direct.
I have stayed in Hotel Suede, Hotel Lennox St. Germain and Lennox Montparnass (not the same owner!). All hotels where clean, no first class hotels but O.K. I always did the reservation direct with the hotels.

Bonjour!

With all this talk about Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais and Le Marais, we'd like to mention the travelogue we wrote after our visit there: http://www.thetravelzine.com/paris1100.htm

The travelogue includes quite a bit of info about the restaurants we visited on our trip. Hope some of you will find it useful in planning your visit to the City of Light!

TheTravelzine is non-commercial

The new issue of Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel lists a number of inexpensive hotels in Paris.

JP

I love the French, and I love Paris. Their undeserved reputation for rudeness is, in my view, due to their intolerance for the frequent rudeness of boorish American tourists.

Just *trying* to speak French, and showing your embarrassment that you don't, will help a lot. (I do, fortunately, but am not fluent, and that's OK with them.) The French are VERY formal and polite; there are proper ways to comport yourself, and that's very important to them. Reign yourself in (don't be loud and obnoxious, or demanding) and be respectful, and you'll get along fine.

I've had terrible luck recently with Paris hotels, but I stayed years ago in a place called the Hotel Chomel that I loved. It's now too expensive for me, but it's steps from the Sevres/Babylone Metro stop. 15 Rue Chomel. (I still remember the address after almost 20 years!) I walked by a couple of years ago, and it's still there, and still cute.

Hidden treasure from an art historian's viewpoint: the Musee Gustave Moreau. Off the beaten tourist path and WAY more interesting than the dull Musee Picasso. You'll love it, and can see it all quickly (it's small.)

I got a great deal in AMS and Dublin last week via www.laterooms.com (http://www.laterooms.com) - unlike priceline there is NO booking fee, and unlike www.lastminute.co.uk (http://www.lastminute.co.uk) there is no extra fee or taxes added on either. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

I don'tnow much abouit zones, but others may be able to advise better from here? (http://www.fr.laterooms.com/sr.php3?a=l&lang=eng&al2=paris&al1=0&d=18&n=2&b=1)

This one (http://www.fr.laterooms.com/sr_detail.php3?rm_ref=9789&htl_name=AU+NEW+HOTEL+CANDIDE&str_summary=&lang=eng&d=17&n=4&b=1&aDays=18&aNts=2) at 65 Euro (about $US60) including all fees and taxes and including breakfast, and near Metro station sounds pretty good? The ones with prices in ORANGE on that website are discounted - often heavily. They may get lower as the days get closer.

I would be VERY curious to know what the "animated parties" that this French Hotel claims are included in the 65 Euro room rate really are! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif




------------------
~ Glen ~

Frankly, the location of the $65 place is far from my favorite in Paris -- the 11th (Republique, Bastille) somehow seems far away from anywhere I want to be in Paris, and it just seems like I'd much rather be in any of several other neighborhoods (st germain, the marais, ile st-louis, or opera come to mind). I haven't stayed at that particular place, so I dunno anything about it specifically.

Of the hotels on the list, I would give a strong thumbs-up to the Best Western Aramis St-Germain. The rooms are nothing special, but the location is terrific: midway between St Germain des Pres and Montparnasse, 2 steps from the St Placide metro station, and less than 5 minutes walk to the Luxembourg Gardens.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Ozstamp:

I would be VERY curious to know what the "animated parties" that this French Hotel claims are included in the 65 Euro room rate really are!
</font>

Just plain La Cucarachas dancing for you.
I have never found a 'good' Hotel under Euro 100 ($ 95) in Paris.
I like St. Germain area.
Last time I booked here http://www.hrs.com/
Hotel Alessandra near Champs Elysees.