Paris favorites...?
Jun 3, 2000, 10:05 am
#16
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: USA
Programs: AA - Hilton
Posts: 1,103
Some Websites that may be helpful:
www.paris.com
www.paris.org
www.travel-in-paris.com
A theme seems to have developed; everyone has a favorite, but it is difficult to go wrong. Discovery is such a hoot in Paris.
Have fun!
www.paris.com
www.paris.org
www.travel-in-paris.com
A theme seems to have developed; everyone has a favorite, but it is difficult to go wrong. Discovery is such a hoot in Paris.
Have fun!
Jun 3, 2000, 1:08 pm
#17
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Miami Beach, FL
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, BA Gold
Posts: 876
Lots of great suggestions here, but I must second the opinion of SST. The Hotel d'Angleterre is absolutely wonderful, and very French. It's actually the former British Embassy, hence the name. Rooms range from small to quite large, but the bathrooms are updated and the furnishings are quite nice. The one and only drawback is no air conditioning, so if you go in August beware the heat!
There is also a service, based in London, that provides apartments for very reasonable prices. I tend to be in Paris for less than a week at a time so I haven't used it, but I have several friends who have and they've found it to be great. Apartments range from budget to ultra-luxe, so you get a wide range of prices to choose from. Check out their website at http://www.londonconnection.com/paris_new/index.html
Bottom line, though, is I've never had less than a fantastic time in Paris! Hope it's wonderful for you, too.
There is also a service, based in London, that provides apartments for very reasonable prices. I tend to be in Paris for less than a week at a time so I haven't used it, but I have several friends who have and they've found it to be great. Apartments range from budget to ultra-luxe, so you get a wide range of prices to choose from. Check out their website at http://www.londonconnection.com/paris_new/index.html
Bottom line, though, is I've never had less than a fantastic time in Paris! Hope it's wonderful for you, too.
Jun 3, 2000, 6:33 pm
#18
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 1999
Posts: 46,817
Again, my wifes' absolute favorite European city, and thus a frequent destination for me! 
This topic has come up many times before. For sample, see:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/000205.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/000377.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/000459.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/000515.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/000625.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/000814.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/000838.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/000942.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/001084.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/000906.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/001104.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/001489.html
Hope this helps!
If not email me for specifics!
This topic has come up many times before. For sample, see:http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/000205.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/000377.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/000459.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/000515.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/000625.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/000814.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/000838.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/000942.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/001084.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/000906.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/001104.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/001489.html
Hope this helps!
If not email me for specifics!
Jun 3, 2000, 6:50 pm
#19
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Folsom, CA
Posts: 59
Miranda-
For hotels, there is this great website that specializes in just French hotels:
http:\\www.hotelboulevard.com
I envy you your trip...I love Paris. I've been there in '92 & '97, both times on a budget. I agree with everyone that you can't eat a bad meal there. Everything is better...the butter, the coffee, the crossiants. It makes me salivate just thinking about the roast chicken & fries that only the French can do so well.
I have to warn you about a few of the suggestions...unless you are made of money,
you will not be eating at a few of the establishments suggested.
I had to smile at the suggestions of Lucas Carton & La Tour d'Argent. At $50-200 a meal (you'd drop $600 easily in a dinner with wine at La Tour d'Argent). Some FlyerTalkers sure live a travel lifestyle that I would like!
On a practical suggestion, 2 things.
If you like Chocolate, there is a "tea room" next to the Louvre that is known for its Chocolat Chaud. (hot chocolate to you and I, but nothing like American hot chocolate). The chocolat they serve is African or Mexican or something like that. I can't remember, but it comes in a little pot and it is so thick it's almost like syrup. They serve it in a demitasse and you have to sip it slowly it's so rich. Awesome. And it's not really expensive. I ate lunch there, finished with a lemon tarte & this chocolate (trust me...the lemon tarte was unnecessary this chocolate was so rich) and I think it was $20 or something like that.
Here's the info:
Angelina 225 Rue de Rivoli Metro stop: Tuileries
There is a good guide on restaurants that sorts them by open 24 hours, with a view, the "In" restaurants, etc at
http:\\www.paris-touristoffice.com
One more recommendation. If you're going down the Seine on a boat (and that's kind of a mandatory to do) don't take the Bateaux Mouches. They are the famous boats that go down the river and speakers spout info on the sights in 4 or 5 languages. They're filled with tons of people and you can't really understand anything they're saying. When I went again in '97 my aunt's sister (who lives right outside of Paris) took me on the "Vedettes de Pont Neuf". These are the boats that you buy tickets for next to the Pont Neuf (translation: 9th bridge). They are smaller, less noisy and have announcements in French & English only, done live by a young person. I enjoyed it ten times more than my Bateaux Mouches experience. I took the trip at night as Paris is a glorious city at night.
Have a wonderful time.
J'adore Paris!
For hotels, there is this great website that specializes in just French hotels:
http:\\www.hotelboulevard.com
I envy you your trip...I love Paris. I've been there in '92 & '97, both times on a budget. I agree with everyone that you can't eat a bad meal there. Everything is better...the butter, the coffee, the crossiants. It makes me salivate just thinking about the roast chicken & fries that only the French can do so well.
I have to warn you about a few of the suggestions...unless you are made of money,
you will not be eating at a few of the establishments suggested.
I had to smile at the suggestions of Lucas Carton & La Tour d'Argent. At $50-200 a meal (you'd drop $600 easily in a dinner with wine at La Tour d'Argent). Some FlyerTalkers sure live a travel lifestyle that I would like!
On a practical suggestion, 2 things.
If you like Chocolate, there is a "tea room" next to the Louvre that is known for its Chocolat Chaud. (hot chocolate to you and I, but nothing like American hot chocolate). The chocolat they serve is African or Mexican or something like that. I can't remember, but it comes in a little pot and it is so thick it's almost like syrup. They serve it in a demitasse and you have to sip it slowly it's so rich. Awesome. And it's not really expensive. I ate lunch there, finished with a lemon tarte & this chocolate (trust me...the lemon tarte was unnecessary this chocolate was so rich) and I think it was $20 or something like that.
Here's the info:
Angelina 225 Rue de Rivoli Metro stop: Tuileries
There is a good guide on restaurants that sorts them by open 24 hours, with a view, the "In" restaurants, etc at
http:\\www.paris-touristoffice.com
One more recommendation. If you're going down the Seine on a boat (and that's kind of a mandatory to do) don't take the Bateaux Mouches. They are the famous boats that go down the river and speakers spout info on the sights in 4 or 5 languages. They're filled with tons of people and you can't really understand anything they're saying. When I went again in '97 my aunt's sister (who lives right outside of Paris) took me on the "Vedettes de Pont Neuf". These are the boats that you buy tickets for next to the Pont Neuf (translation: 9th bridge). They are smaller, less noisy and have announcements in French & English only, done live by a young person. I enjoyed it ten times more than my Bateaux Mouches experience. I took the trip at night as Paris is a glorious city at night.
Have a wonderful time.
J'adore Paris!
Jun 3, 2000, 7:32 pm
#20
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Fairfield, OH - CVG
Posts: 209
For a bit of the expensive without the really big bucks, try the Intercontinental or the the Grand Intercontinental on the weekend (Fri-Sun). Their web site frequently offers discounted web-savers rates of less than $200. Weekday rates run from about $425. I'm told by other FTers that they are both elegant Old World type hotels. So we're staying at the Intercontinental in August for five nights just to see. With coupon, about $1275 for the two of us on the Club floor.
The Hyatt IS expensive most of the time. If you stay there, be sure to get the bigger room. Marble counter, separate bath and shower stall, about 300 square feet of room. Very nice, but around $400 per night right now. The Cafe M in the hotel is a nice restaurant frequented by quite a few of the local residents.
The Hyatt IS expensive most of the time. If you stay there, be sure to get the bigger room. Marble counter, separate bath and shower stall, about 300 square feet of room. Very nice, but around $400 per night right now. The Cafe M in the hotel is a nice restaurant frequented by quite a few of the local residents.
Jun 3, 2000, 7:44 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,631
A few years ago, I stayed at a delightful little place in the 7th. Hotel Muguet.
http://www.france-hotel-guide.com/h75007muguet.htm
The room was tiny, but everything was brand new, clean, and so on, with a delighful lady and her dog at the front desk. Its on a quiet little street, very close to Invalides, and a single is FF520, 2 people is up to 600, depending on the room type.
http://www.france-hotel-guide.com/h75007muguet.htm
The room was tiny, but everything was brand new, clean, and so on, with a delighful lady and her dog at the front desk. Its on a quiet little street, very close to Invalides, and a single is FF520, 2 people is up to 600, depending on the room type.
Jun 3, 2000, 8:46 pm
#22
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Lincoln, NE (OMA or LNK)
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Starwood/Marriott, Hilton, IHG
Posts: 1,345
I can't remember the exact name of the restaurant, but it is on the Isle and is a hot spot among the locals. At one time, Mick Jagger had a flat on the top floor. We used to go there every trip to Paris when we lived in Germany. Great food, rather inexpensive and the atmosphere can't be beat; casual but fun! Sorry I can't remember the name, but hope you can find it.
Jun 3, 2000, 9:51 pm
#23
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: T82
Programs: AA Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 2,845
My favorite restaurant in Paris is
Restaurant Michel Rostang. The food is fabulous and the setting is romantic. The staff is as nice as can be.
About 5-7 minutes from Etoile.
Here is the link to check it out (it is a member of Relais & Chateaux. http://www.relaischateaux.fr/rostang
Restaurant Michel Rostang. The food is fabulous and the setting is romantic. The staff is as nice as can be.
About 5-7 minutes from Etoile.
Here is the link to check it out (it is a member of Relais & Chateaux. http://www.relaischateaux.fr/rostang
Jun 3, 2000, 10:04 pm
#24
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: USA
Programs: AA - Hilton
Posts: 1,103
ClubChamp
Both Intercontinentals are tres bon. The Grande would not really rate as old world in my estimation. The other property however, is very much so. I had the opportunity to spend 39 consecutive nights in 1990. The staff was excellent and the service was impeccable. Either one is worthy of your time and money.
Last summer, we vacationed in Paris, but did not stay at the Intercontinental. We did have dessert at the Paris I.C. in the courtyard. Most pleasant.
Have a wonderful time,
Both Intercontinentals are tres bon. The Grande would not really rate as old world in my estimation. The other property however, is very much so. I had the opportunity to spend 39 consecutive nights in 1990. The staff was excellent and the service was impeccable. Either one is worthy of your time and money.
Last summer, we vacationed in Paris, but did not stay at the Intercontinental. We did have dessert at the Paris I.C. in the courtyard. Most pleasant.
Have a wonderful time,
Jun 4, 2000, 5:59 am
#25
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: alexandria, Virginia usa
Posts: 1,092
If you are going to Paris, don't stay at a Hilton or Hyatt. After all, you are going to France. Soak up some local ambience; you can stay at a Hilton in any city USA! The"mallification" of the world is distressing and the thought that one can travel acrros the oceans and stay in a chain hotel, eat an American Breakfast, shop at the Gap and feed the kids from Pizza Hut anyplace in the world makes me wonder why anyone ever leaves his/her easy chair in front of the television.
------------------
------------------
Jun 7, 2000, 10:19 pm
#29
Join Date: May 1999
Posts: 346
Paris is wonderful! I was there about a year ago and its great! The only advice that I can give you that you haven't already received is to just take a day if you can and just explore the city with no set plans! There's some wonderful little stores, cafes, sites that just aren't in any tour book.
Enjoy your trip!
Enjoy your trip!
Jun 9, 2000, 8:08 am
#30
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Delighted to no longer be in Illinois
Programs: SW A List Preferred, Delta Gold, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 703
Efram, my French is a little rusty, but when I went to school, Pont Neuf translated as 9th Bridge. New Bridge would have been Pont Nouveau.