Paris
 

Looking to stay in Paris 4-5 days this July.

Last time we stayed at Novotel Les Halles which was fine but really overpriced. This summer the price is almost double.

Considering we have been to Paris before and done many of the "sights" what would you guys consider to be the best place to stay? Preferably near transit and nightlife (I know we want it all lol)

I assume the general feedback will be the Marais. If so, are they any suggested hotels in the area or even better short term apartment rentals.

Take a look at Hotel Beaubourg in the Marais. It's across the street from the Beaubourg Center on a little side street. I stayed there in September and the location was brilliant. Easily walkable to everything in the Marais, plus walkable to most of the big tourist attractions and easy to get to the Metro.

The hotel oozes French Charm, the staff not so much, but it wasn't a big problem. The room was really comfortable, they serve a breakfast that was okay, but much better choices all around the area.

I paid about $180 a night and this was during peak season, July and August were considerable less when I was looking at their rates. Would stay there again, because of location and quality of the place.

Here's a website that I love, for hotels in Paris! The sort options are what I love! You can sort by number of stars, move the low end and upper end price bar, choose the arrondissiment if you want, and the map is great for checking location, after you choose your paramaters! Also, the deals get better closer to the arrival date. Many of the hotels seem to drop the prices a couple of weeks before! I'm not sure how long you want to wait to book a hotel, but, as long as whatever you booked is cancellable, you can always check out these hotels, and cancel if you find something you like!

http://www.cybevasion.com/hotels/france/paris.html

If you really don't need the frills, then there is Hotel Central du Marais.

Alas no longer.

OP, if you are staying for a week, I would highly recommend looking at renting a flat in Paris. You can get places near the Marais for much less than hotels, come and go as you please, keep a bottle of duty free vodka in the freezer, cook a couple of meals in...

WHy not? The hotel still appears to be in business. http://www.hotelcentralmarais.com/

When I look at the rates for the Novotel Les Halles for July, which the OP mentions, the rates are $234 a night. The Central Marais is 89 Euros, and all the rooms have shared bath. I'm guessing that it's too basic for the OP. When I looked at the website above, I found a cute typo on the English page - 89 Euros a NIGTH!!!! :)

Personally, I stay cheap, or I don't go. The thing about Paris, I've found, is that the rooms are anywhere from tiny to MICRO!!! Sometimes, the cheap rooms, even when they're modern and clean, are so small, that you can hardly fit into the bathroom and shower! I've never stayed at the Centra Marais, but I've always considered it, as the location is fantastic!!

But it's not. The owner, Maurice McGrath, retired and closed the business on October 10, 2010. It is now a jewellery shop.

"Le samedi 9 octobre 2010, une foule souriante mais à la gorge un peu nouée se pressait au Central, débordant largement dans la rue pour boire un dernier verre. Le lendemain, l'établissement était totalement vidé, les vitres masquées de papier et un simple écriteau : "Le Central est fermé. Nous vous remercions de votre fidélité pendant ces 30 années, malheureusement l'heure de la retraite a sonné. Bisous."

As you were staying in an Accor hotel before the Hotel All Seasons Paris République is not that far to the Marais.

You also get A-Club points ;)

Thanks! An apartment was actually what we were hoping for - Any good experiences with Parisian rental agencies?

My friend has stayed with Citadines. No personal experience, but they are all over Paris (short-term apartment rental style "hotels"). Might be worth a look.

I have rented twice from absoluliving, a gay apartment rental service, and was very happy with the service and accommodation. However, you need to collect the keys from their office which can be a hassle if you don't want to drag your luggage all around the Marais, or if you can't make it to their office during business hours (last time I arrived on a Saturday and they left everything with the real estate office upstairs...but there were some questions regarding payment for which I had to stop back on Monday to resolve).

You may also want to consider the Hotel de la Bretonnerie in the Marais.

Excellent location. Rates from Euros 145 in July - but with a current special offer of Euros 120 from 17th July to 31st August. Includes breakfast.

http://www.bretonnerie.com/

Hope this helps.

We've used a couple of online services. Parisianhome.com I think was one of them. Very nice people, you can check out the properties online etc.

Even though I have never stayed at the Hotel Central in Paris, I have always considered it, as it's a great location. It's been there as long as I can remember, and I believe that this is really a loss for gay travelers going to Paris, especially those on a budget! Just out of curiosity, I eMailed them, just to see what would happen, and yes, it's closed, but I got a nice response! I thought I'd post it here to add some other hotel options for anyone looking for a hotel in Paris . . . .

Unfortunately, the hotel has definitly closed his doors on the 10th of October 2010.

You can try to contact the hotels below :
Hôtel du 7ème Art
Mail [email protected] & Website www.paris-hotel-7art.com
or
Hôtel du Marais
Mail [email protected] & Website www.hoteldumarais.com
or
Hôtel de Nice
Mail [email protected] & Website www.hoteldenice.com
or
Hôtel du Vieux Marais
Mail [email protected] & Website www.vieuxmarais.com
or
Hôtel Acacias
Mail [email protected] & Website www.acacias-hotel.com

or go to this website Paris-Gay.com :
http://www.paris-gay.com/communs/pag...ab=hebergement

Best regards from Paris,
Benjamin

Bar Hôtel Central Marais
33, rue Vieille du Temple
75004 Paris
Phone : (33) (0) 1 48 87 56 08
Fax : (33) (0) 1 42 77 06 27
www.hotelcentralmarais.com

Hotel Frontdoor :
2, rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie