Where to Stay in Paris
Jun 22, 2009, 11:36 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: SPG Gold, Hyatt Diamond, CO Silver, AAdavantage, USAIR
Posts: 84
Where to Stay in Paris
Hi:
I have never been to Paris before, and as such don't know the area and will be going for 5 days in mid-August and am wondering what area and hotels I should stay in. I am hoping to spend less that 250 euros/night. I am a Hyatt Diamond and SPG Gold member, but not limited to those hotel chains. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
- Dave
I have never been to Paris before, and as such don't know the area and will be going for 5 days in mid-August and am wondering what area and hotels I should stay in. I am hoping to spend less that 250 euros/night. I am a Hyatt Diamond and SPG Gold member, but not limited to those hotel chains. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
- Dave
Last edited by dave8624; Jun 22, 2009 at 11:41 am
Jun 22, 2009, 12:33 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2004
Programs: aa co
Posts: 209
Paris is divided into 20 districts called arrondisements. Go to this site and get a feel for which districts suit you. http://www.parisnet.com/parismap.html Is it important that you be near certain tourist attractions? Do you have business that will require you to be in a particular part of town?
Once you can narrow it down to one or two arrondisements, I would suggest tripadvisor to get some ideas for hotels. You can select a particular arrondisement and read reviews from people who have stayed there. Also ask yourself if you have needs that may limit your choices. Many hotels have no elevator. Do you care? Must the hotel have a restaurant? Some people insist on one, even though it seems there is at least one good restaurant every 10 meters or so.
Once you can narrow it down to one or two arrondisements, I would suggest tripadvisor to get some ideas for hotels. You can select a particular arrondisement and read reviews from people who have stayed there. Also ask yourself if you have needs that may limit your choices. Many hotels have no elevator. Do you care? Must the hotel have a restaurant? Some people insist on one, even though it seems there is at least one good restaurant every 10 meters or so.
Jun 22, 2009, 2:03 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: OOL Australia
Programs: QFF (Gold), Skywards, Rapid Rewards,United, Velocity, Hilton Silver
Posts: 2,440
When we stayed last year I used venere.com
We eventually stayed in Montmartre area at € 130 but room was very small and I mean closet
We eventually stayed in Montmartre area at € 130 but room was very small and I mean closet
Last edited by Lonely Flyer; Jun 22, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Jun 22, 2009, 8:16 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: SPG Gold, Hyatt Diamond, CO Silver, AAdavantage, USAIR
Posts: 84
that is what i was afraid of, a closet sized room like in nyc, but its just a room, hopefully will not be in it that often and out exploring. thanks for that website, it really cleared up what all the different areas were, i had no clue what any of it meant.
Jun 22, 2009, 11:18 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Berlin and Buggenhagen, Germany
Posts: 3,509
Ok, now that you got the arr. straightened out you want to hit the RATP site for a map of the metro. If you want to get around easily the metro is the best way. Bus is very nice but it takes a while to figure it out because there are so many lines. And the bus takes a long time. Metro is super fast.
In my humble opinion, it is most ergonomic to stay within walking distance from the yellow line #1. You will be able to reach most any point in Paris by changing trains only once. Plus, many attractions are on line number one anyway. Line #4 (purple) is also important.
The Chatelet station is the central station where most of the lines meet. It is huge and confusing but still practical.
Just to give you a rough idea of walking distances and times. Walking from the Hotel De Ville (almost the geographic center of Paris) to the Arc de Triomphe which is a straight shot, will take you probably just under one hour, if you only walk, no window shopping or checking out the sights.
To the Jardin du Luxembourg it will be around 20 minutes. To the Louvre around 15-20 minutes. To Bastille around 15, too.
Personally, I'd stay close to line 1. That means Marais (4arr), Chatelet (1arr), Bastille (11arr) or Champs (8arr.) Of these, the Marais is the most charming and has tons of boutique hotels, bars, restaurants and shops. It is the SoHo of Paris.
On the other side of the Seine you have St. Germain. Very chic, very expensive and also very charming. Not as practical though as the Marais for traffic connections.
Till
In my humble opinion, it is most ergonomic to stay within walking distance from the yellow line #1. You will be able to reach most any point in Paris by changing trains only once. Plus, many attractions are on line number one anyway. Line #4 (purple) is also important.
The Chatelet station is the central station where most of the lines meet. It is huge and confusing but still practical.
Just to give you a rough idea of walking distances and times. Walking from the Hotel De Ville (almost the geographic center of Paris) to the Arc de Triomphe which is a straight shot, will take you probably just under one hour, if you only walk, no window shopping or checking out the sights.
To the Jardin du Luxembourg it will be around 20 minutes. To the Louvre around 15-20 minutes. To Bastille around 15, too.
Personally, I'd stay close to line 1. That means Marais (4arr), Chatelet (1arr), Bastille (11arr) or Champs (8arr.) Of these, the Marais is the most charming and has tons of boutique hotels, bars, restaurants and shops. It is the SoHo of Paris.
On the other side of the Seine you have St. Germain. Very chic, very expensive and also very charming. Not as practical though as the Marais for traffic connections.
Till
Jun 23, 2009, 9:24 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Duluth, GA
Programs: AAdvantage PLT, AA 2MM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,268
more Paris lodging suggestions for a first timer
One thing to know is Paris is not at its best during the middle of August. Many of the locals flee the city for holidays elsewhere. Definitely make sure your hotel room has acclimatization (air conditioning)!
A first timer might have more fun staying on the Left Bank (Rive Gauche in FR). This includes arrondissements 5-7 and 13-15. Each has its own particular flavor. The Latin Quarter (5eme) is lively albeit touristy. I like the St Germain area (6eme) and Montparnasse (15eme) myself. On the other hand some good deals for lodging can be had in Montmartre (18eme).
Hotwire is a good resource for getting a nice hotel at a discount but it requires blind booking. You might do better going through Venere. I'd advise thumbing through TripAdvisor reviews.
HTH,
benzguy80
A first timer might have more fun staying on the Left Bank (Rive Gauche in FR). This includes arrondissements 5-7 and 13-15. Each has its own particular flavor. The Latin Quarter (5eme) is lively albeit touristy. I like the St Germain area (6eme) and Montparnasse (15eme) myself. On the other hand some good deals for lodging can be had in Montmartre (18eme).
Hotwire is a good resource for getting a nice hotel at a discount but it requires blind booking. You might do better going through Venere. I'd advise thumbing through TripAdvisor reviews.
HTH,
benzguy80
Jun 23, 2009, 9:45 am
#7
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 1,603
If you want something bigger, try http://www.rentals-paris.com/propert...&To=2009/08/31
this looks nice http://www.rentals-paris.com/chanoin.shtml
or a suite hotel https://www.citadines.com/en/france/..._des_pres.html
Bonne chance! ^
Jun 23, 2009, 3:37 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Berlin and Buggenhagen, Germany
Posts: 3,509
One thing to know is Paris is not at its best during the middle of August. Many of the locals flee the city for holidays elsewhere. Definitely make sure your hotel room has acclimatization (air conditioning)!
A first timer might have more fun staying on the Left Bank (Rive Gauche in FR). This includes arrondissements 5-7 and 13-15. Each has its own particular flavor. The Latin Quarter (5eme) is lively albeit touristy. I like the St Germain area (6eme) and Montparnasse (15eme) myself. On the other hand some good deals for lodging can be had in Montmartre (18eme).
Hotwire is a good resource for getting a nice hotel at a discount but it requires blind booking. You might do better going through Venere. I'd advise thumbing through TripAdvisor reviews.
HTH,
benzguy80
A first timer might have more fun staying on the Left Bank (Rive Gauche in FR). This includes arrondissements 5-7 and 13-15. Each has its own particular flavor. The Latin Quarter (5eme) is lively albeit touristy. I like the St Germain area (6eme) and Montparnasse (15eme) myself. On the other hand some good deals for lodging can be had in Montmartre (18eme).
Hotwire is a good resource for getting a nice hotel at a discount but it requires blind booking. You might do better going through Venere. I'd advise thumbing through TripAdvisor reviews.
HTH,
benzguy80
Having lived there for five years I can tell you that the Parisians are a pretty tough crowd. So when you have all the Parisians in the city they go onto each others nerves a lot and things get worse from there; like a bad vibe reverberation. In July and August one half of them is gone and cannot bother the remaining half. So those who remain are much easier to deal with. In addition, the other half being replaced by tourists brings even more color to the city and the tourist revenue is welcome. In my experience Parisians are friendlier to tourists than to their own kind.
Of course, your Air Condition argument is perfectly valid. I'd recommend that, too.
Till
Jun 24, 2009, 11:03 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Duluth, GA
Programs: AAdvantage PLT, AA 2MM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,268
Good tips, benzguy. But I must disagree with Paris in August (and July). Those are very good times to travel to Paris, PRECISELY because a lot of Parisians are gone.
Having lived there for five years I can tell you that the Parisians are a pretty tough crowd. So when you have all the Parisians in the city they go onto each others nerves a lot and things get worse from there; like a bad vibe reverberation. In July and August one half of them is gone and cannot bother the remaining half. So those who remain are much easier to deal with. In addition, the other half being replaced by tourists brings even more color to the city and the tourist revenue is welcome. In my experience Parisians are friendlier to tourists than to their own kind.
Of course, your Air Condition argument is perfectly valid. I'd recommend that, too.
Till
Having lived there for five years I can tell you that the Parisians are a pretty tough crowd. So when you have all the Parisians in the city they go onto each others nerves a lot and things get worse from there; like a bad vibe reverberation. In July and August one half of them is gone and cannot bother the remaining half. So those who remain are much easier to deal with. In addition, the other half being replaced by tourists brings even more color to the city and the tourist revenue is welcome. In my experience Parisians are friendlier to tourists than to their own kind.
Of course, your Air Condition argument is perfectly valid. I'd recommend that, too.
Till
I have to admit I've avoided Paris in August so far, and will thus yield to your observation and experience.
I've heard some of the waiters get really surly when the locals get replaced by tourists in August. maybe this is just travel guide nonsense?
Jun 24, 2009, 3:46 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 8,142
I've actually been pretty lucky when I've been in Paris in August....not exceptionally hot weather and no crabby waiters 
. Not as many places were closed compared to what I had imagined. My favorite time is the fall though.
But, really, there is no bad time to visit Paris IMHO.
Bobette
. Not as many places were closed compared to what I had imagined. My favorite time is the fall though.But, really, there is no bad time to visit Paris IMHO.
Bobette
Jun 24, 2009, 11:05 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Berlin and Buggenhagen, Germany
Posts: 3,509
you're making Paris sound like NYC
I have to admit I've avoided Paris in August so far, and will thus yield to your observation and experience.
I've heard some of the waiters get really surly when the locals get replaced by tourists in August. maybe this is just travel guide nonsense?
I have to admit I've avoided Paris in August so far, and will thus yield to your observation and experience.
I've heard some of the waiters get really surly when the locals get replaced by tourists in August. maybe this is just travel guide nonsense?
It's not me, either. In the eight years I have lived in Austin I have been in one such argument and have witnessed maybe two or three at most.
OTOH, I haven't noticed the waiter thing. Depending on the place waiters will have an attitude anyway. There are two ways to deal with that. If you see that the waiter is what can be called friendly for a Paris waiter (he smiles), you can be super charming. The waiter will loosen up and provide good service. Or, if you see the waiter has an attitude (e.g. doesn't look at you while taking your order or even scoffs at your selection), give him an attitude back. Make it very clear that you are the paying customer, ask for some extra stuff to make it more complicated, say "s'il vous plait" and make it sound like you just say that because you know it is required but in reality you know he is your slave. Do not do that with the Maitre D'! Believe it or not, that always worked for me. If you are older than he/she that's even better. Most waiters with an attitude are men, I find.
Till
Jun 24, 2009, 11:15 pm
#13
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174
Having just gotten back from a 1 week tourist visit, my perception is they're very happy to see anyone these days, especially those spending money. No surly folks that I came across.
I agree with post #5, staying close to Line 1 or Line 4 on the Metro is a good call.
I agree with post #5, staying close to Line 1 or Line 4 on the Metro is a good call.
Jun 25, 2009, 6:44 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Duluth, GA
Programs: AAdvantage PLT, AA 2MM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,268
OT, but I've found the waiters to be accomodating, but I always greet them with a bonjour and then try to tell them that I don't speak French - in French. they seem to appreciate the effort. I also don't expect them to be real prompt and don't ask for ice in my drink.
little things matter
little things matter
Jun 25, 2009, 11:30 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Nice, France
Posts: 47
staying in Paris
Here is a blog that has quite a nice list of ideas of things to do and things to see in Paris http://www.nyhabitat.com/blog/category/paris/, they also list apartments for vacation rentals so that may be your solution for accommodation in Paris. I have used them in the past and they are serious + their agents can give good advice for any other question you may have. Paris is a beautiful city and well worth visiting. In August most Parisians are away on holiday but you will see many other tourists enjoying the sites throughout the city.