Luxury Hotels - Left Bank Paris

I have planned a week getaway with my wife next April in the City of Lights. We have always stayed on the Left Bank in the past, but this year I booked the first 3 nights at the Park Hyatt Vendome using Chase points. I am trying to decide whether to stay there for our final 3 nights or switch to the Left Bank for a change of pace. The two places that I am considering thus far are the Relais Christine and the Esprit St Germain. Can you guys give me your impression of these two and give me some other Left Bank ideas. Thanks.

I had a site inspection of Esprit St Germain in April and posted this review. Short version: if you don't mind a *very* small room, it's a good place to stay.

Esprit St Germain is a small boutique hotel in the Left Bank, near the Eglise St Sulpice, an attractive location for visitors wanting to explore the 6th arrondissement with its shops, boutiques, and markets.

The major feature of the hotel are the two homey, comfortable living rooms on the ground floor. Guests make extensive use of these common areas which feature a complimentary open bar, soft drinks, and coffee and tea throughout the day.

Guest rooms are quite small, typical of Left Bank hotels which are situated in older buildings with smaller rooms. Most luxury guests will want to book either a Premier Room or a Suite. The Premier room is essentially the size of the hotel's Deluxe rooms with a larger closet and bathroom. The top floor Premier room has a terrace looking over the rooftops of other buildings on the street toward the Eglise St Sulpice, while the others have more floor space. Suites are essentially small Jr. suites with a small sitting area separated from the small bedroom.

Bathrooms are small with tub/shower combination, a single vanity, and a separate WC. Suites have two small bathrooms, one with a soaking tub, the other with a step-in shower.

Be aware that space is really tight in all room categories at this property. If having a lot of space is a priority to you, this hotel will not work for you. But Esprit St Germain has a lot of repeat guests who enjoy the residential feeling of the hotel.

I have planned a week getaway with my wife next April in the City of Lights. We have always stayed on the Left Bank in the past, but this year I booked the first 3 nights at the Park Hyatt Vendome using Chase points. I am trying to decide whether to stay there for our final 3 nights or switch to the Left Bank for a change of pace. The two places that I am considering thus far are the Relais Christine and the Esprit St Germain. Can you guys give me your impression of these two and give me some other Left Bank ideas. Thanks.

I've suggested the Hotel Lutetia here before. It's not a true luxury hotel, but I love the location on Boulevard Raspail nearby St-Germain. The top suites have beautiful balconies with dead-on Eiffel Tower views and the hotel has a lot of history to boot. If you really want to splurge, the Suite Arman is a world-class museum with a bed.

Having said that, if you've always stayed on the left and you're going to start the trip at the PHV, I think you may be a bit let down by wherever you move to.

There is a nice review HERE (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxury-hotels/1274197-trip-report-esprit-st-germain-luxury-stay-paris-without-intimidation.html) from October 2011 of Esprit St Germain... The top floor rooms with balcony are excellent I feel.

Regarding location, i'd rather stay at the Esprit St Germain that at Relais Christine. The Luxembourg gardens (with the Senate) has an entrance 2 minutes away , la Place St Sulpice is beautiful and you'll find high end shops at your doorstep . I believe it's virtuoso.
The issue I have with Relais Christine is that its located between Bd St Germain and the Seine river and that this particular neighbourhood has a few drawbacks :
. low light exposure (sorry for the language, can't find the right expression :confused: ) due to really narrow streets so your room, even facing the street, could really feel dark even with a high floor
. 2 or 3 really close streets with rue Dauphine and rue de Buci who really suck at night (no safety issue at all but noise due to the number of cheap bars who close at 2 or 3 with drunks). You'll definitely not meet the same crowd when coming back to your hotel at night :)
However this particular neighbourhood has a lot of highly regarded art galleries and you're a 2 min walk to the Seine , putting Ile Saint Louis, Ile de la Cité and Notre Dame within reach .

You could consider the Lutetia (but its not even considered as the "hardcore" Latin quarter) which has its benefits (really close to Le Bon Marché, to Assemblée Nationale, Invalides and a nice brunch ) but it's more considered a 4 star and some rooms really suck (I tried a entry level before their refurb and it wouldn't advise it).

and you have a trip report about Esprit St Germain : http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxury-hotels/1274197-trip-report-esprit-st-germain-luxury-stay-paris-without-intimidation.html

The trick at Esprit Saint Germain is to book a junior suite so you'll get a decent sized room. It's really a wonderful property as long as you're not expecting a palace hotel.

I have had someone else recommend the Pavillion de la Reine in the Marais on the Place de Vosges. Has anyone stayed there recently?

There is a nice review HERE (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxury-hotels/1274197-trip-report-esprit-st-germain-luxury-stay-paris-without-intimidation.html) from October 2011 of Esprit St Germain... The top floor rooms with balcony are excellent I feel.

I stayed in a top floor room with balcony overlooking the Rue Saint Sulpice with a direct view, to the right, of the Church, back in March when I was in Paris.

The balcony is large enough for a table and two chairs and in nice weather as we had a lovely place to sit. Do note that the Rue Saint Sulpice is VERY busy so there is quite a bit of traffic noise (to be expected in a large city!).

Rooms are very small but well equipped. The drinks in the minibar are complimentary but if you order any drinks from Room Service you will be charged.

The highlight of the hotel are the two living rooms on the ground floor where residents of the hotel can sit, read a book, and enjoy complimentary beverages all day, including wines, champagne, soft drinks, etc. In the mornings, you can take breakfast downstairs from the continental buffet and the hotel will cook to order eggs, etc.

The Virtuoso amenity is a lovely cheese platter with a choice of red or white wine served at any time you wish virtually anywhere you wish. We enjoyed ours in the living room.

The staff are kind and gracious and act as hosts fulfilling all hotel requests and offer limited Concierge services. They are nowhere near as knowledgeable as a Clefs d'Or Concierge at a major Paris hotel but they will research for you and make bookings. If you do some homework yourself the result is pretty seamless.

Overall, I think this hotel is very well located and is a very good value.

Esprit Saint Germain has just sent out an email blast with a Fourth Night Free promotion for the following dates:

August 1 to 25
November 1 to December 20

Superior - 385€
Deluxe - 455€

(higher categories apparently are not included)


This promotion includes complimentary American Breakfast daily and Free Internet along with the usual inclusions of the hotel (lobby bar, etc.)

David,

Any chance they might honor for next April? I know it's early! If so, I might go ahead and book. Does it include Virtuoso upgrade possibilities?

David,

Any chance they might honor for next April? I know it's early! If so, I might go ahead and book. Does it include Virtuoso upgrade possibilities?

Probably not. The promotion is limited for specific dates, and it also states that it's not combinable with other promotions.

Upgrades would be difficult at this hotel in any case as there are only to Premier rooms in the entire property, and these are probably the first to sell out.

The Lutetia has quite a history:

http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/21/hostel-takeover/

So does the Bastille!

Does anyone have current thoughts on the Lutetia, if I'm planning to stay in a room (not a suite)? Found an excellent rate online, and considering booking. Location is ideal for me, but seeming to get mixed reviews on hotel itself.

Does anyone have current thoughts on the Lutetia, if I'm planning to stay in a room (not a suite)? Found an excellent rate online, and considering booking. Location is ideal for me, but seeming to get mixed reviews on hotel itself.

I have stayed here a few times.

It is a 4* hotel with a wonderful location.

A few of the top end suites are very nice- and also priced quite high- the more budget oriented rooms I have stayed in have been good value for Paris at the 350 EUR mark which is a bargain for Paris and obviously not a luxury property so I didn't expect a lot (small, no view, clean, fine yet nothing special).

I have stayed here a few times.

It is a 4* hotel with a wonderful location.

A few of the top end suites are very nice- and also priced quite high- the more budget oriented rooms I have stayed in have been good value for Paris at the 350 EUR mark which is a bargain for Paris and obviously not a luxury property so I didn't expect a lot (small, no view, clean, fine yet nothing special).

Thanks! I found the basic room at EUR230 and then the next category up for I think EUR280. Non-cancellable, but I'm definitely going on this trip. Sounds like this is a good place for that price? I'm paying the same some place else, but it's also not particularly nice.

Thanks! I found the basic room at EUR230 and then the next category up for I think EUR280. Non-cancellable, but I'm definitely going on this trip. Sounds like this is a good place for that price? I'm paying the same some place else, but it's also not particularly nice.

As long as your expectations are OK- yes should be fine. Do not book any category labelled as a single room. If you book at least a Deluxe Double you should be fine. Price sounds in line with expectations.

I like the location as it is convenient for metro, bon marche, 6er etc.

As long as your expectations are OK- yes should be fine. Do not book any category labelled as a single room. If you book at least a Deluxe Double you should be fine. Price sounds in line with expectations.

I like the location as it is convenient for metro, bon marche, 6er etc.

Thanks. I was planning to book the superior double. Is that a bad call?

I'm currently planning to stay in what I would describe as a fairly-typical, maybe slightly above average French 3* property. I've stayed there many times, and it is acceptable. Rooms fine, nothing fancy, and service is limited as would be expected in that kind of place. Do you think the Lutetia is most likely better in terms of the hotel itself?

Thanks. I was planning to book the superior double. Is that a bad call?

I'm currently planning to stay in what I would describe as a fairly-typical, maybe slightly above average French 3* property. I've stayed there many times, and it is acceptable. Rooms fine, nothing fancy, and service is limited as would be expected in that kind of place. Do you think the Lutetia is most likely better in terms of the hotel itself?

Yes should be a little bit better.

Superior Double? I don't know that category- perhaps phone the hotel and ask them the exact differences?

Enjoy your stay!

I've stayed at the Lutetia many times and love it, if more for the history and location than the luxury qualities.

Deluxe rooms on the 7th floor have balconies and Eiffel Tower views. The room adjacent to the Suite Arman is my preference with an additional balcony off the bathroom (either 705 or 710, ask to request it).

I think the hotel is pretty loose with categories; there are some "superior rooms" i've seen which are great whereas other 'deluxe' and junior suites are less appealing. If you ask and insist of being shown a few, you're likely to end up in a desirable room. Another big perk are the wealth of dining options--Le Paris is a quiet, michelin starred restaurant without the obscene pricing, the brasserie is simply fun, and in-room dining is surprisingly excellent.

On the left bank we quite liked L'Hotel and stayed there a couple of times.

I've stayed at the Lutetia many times and love it, if more for the history and location than the luxury qualities.

Deluxe rooms on the 7th floor have balconies and Eiffel Tower views. The room adjacent to the Suite Arman is my preference with an additional balcony off the bathroom (either 705 or 710, ask to request it).

I think the hotel is pretty loose with categories; there are some "superior rooms" i've seen which are great whereas other 'deluxe' and junior suites are less appealing. If you ask and insist of being shown a few, you're likely to end up in a desirable room. Another big perk are the wealth of dining options--Le Paris is a quiet, michelin starred restaurant without the obscene pricing, the brasserie is simply fun, and in-room dining is surprisingly excellent.

Thanks. Good to know on categories. Do you think booking a pre-paid/non-cancelable room is a bad idea then? I've never done a pre-paid before. Would that destroy any hope I have of getting one of the better rooms there you think?

If you want to eat in the Lutetia's restaurants at a reasonably prime time, be sure to book the table far in advance. Even hotel guests can be refused. I remember canceling a FHR hotel room booking because they could not get me in for dinner in their restaurant when I requested a table several weeks in advance (and not for an obviously super-difficult time either). IIRC the FHR special amenity might have been a F&B credit.

I might be heading to Paris next fall for a conference at the Marriott Rive Gauche. I would prefer not to stay there.. any thoughts of someplace nearby?

FDW

If you want to eat in the Lutetia's restaurants at a reasonably prime time, be sure to book the table far in advance. Even hotel guests can be refused. I remember canceling a FHR hotel room booking because they could not get me in for dinner in their restaurant when I requested a table several weeks in advance (and not for an obviously super-difficult time either). IIRC the FHR special amenity might have been a F&B credit.

If you head out of the hotel (main entrance), turn left, walk up to the corner, and turn left again- there is a great little bistro (not affiliated with the hotel).

I might be heading to Paris next fall for a conference at the Marriott Rive Gauche. I would prefer not to stay there.. any thoughts of someplace nearby?

FDW

I wouldn't stay there either. The 14th arr doesn't offer much choices. So are you willing to commute a bit?