Another Paris hotel question for the pile
November 10, 2023 7:23 AM Subscribe
Need recommendations for where to stay in Paris in April....
I know nothing about travel. I've never done it outside the US and Canada, but I sucked it up and I bought plane tickets and my family is going to be on the damn plane. We're flying to London for a couple of days and then going to Paris for a couple of days.
Details:
-Trying to keep things low stress, low key, low expectations. This is first but not last time.
-Daughter is 15. Might consider a separate room for her, or a suite where she could have her own room, but that might be incredibly unrealistic given the money.
-Not looking for cheap or modest, but at the same time don't want to be overly spendy when the attraction is Paris, not the hotel. Just 'nice'. Three or four star maybe? Again, I'm ignorant. Might consider a Westin although I don't know...maybe that's missing out on some fabulous thing about hotels in Paris that I don't know about. On the other hand: familiarity.
-Want to see: The Louvre, the catacombs, and the Eiffel tower, and would like to be able to walk.
-Would like daughter to be able to walk around the neighborhood on her own; she has taken French for four years and she's a great lover of walking around and checking things out.
-As part of the low stress effort, would like a hotel with a restaurant so every single meal doesn't involve 'Where should we go?'
Can anyone recommend a good general area and/or specific hotels? I'll take any other recommendations as well. We are also all introverts and will need down time to drink wine and disappear into the internet.
I know nothing about travel. I've never done it outside the US and Canada, but I sucked it up and I bought plane tickets and my family is going to be on the damn plane. We're flying to London for a couple of days and then going to Paris for a couple of days.
Details:
-Trying to keep things low stress, low key, low expectations. This is first but not last time.
-Daughter is 15. Might consider a separate room for her, or a suite where she could have her own room, but that might be incredibly unrealistic given the money.
-Not looking for cheap or modest, but at the same time don't want to be overly spendy when the attraction is Paris, not the hotel. Just 'nice'. Three or four star maybe? Again, I'm ignorant. Might consider a Westin although I don't know...maybe that's missing out on some fabulous thing about hotels in Paris that I don't know about. On the other hand: familiarity.
-Want to see: The Louvre, the catacombs, and the Eiffel tower, and would like to be able to walk.
-Would like daughter to be able to walk around the neighborhood on her own; she has taken French for four years and she's a great lover of walking around and checking things out.
-As part of the low stress effort, would like a hotel with a restaurant so every single meal doesn't involve 'Where should we go?'
Can anyone recommend a good general area and/or specific hotels? I'll take any other recommendations as well. We are also all introverts and will need down time to drink wine and disappear into the internet.
I've stayed twice at Hôtel Le Littré, in the Montparnasse district (6th). It's a modest boutique-style hotel but offers some really nice features such as free wifi, a breakfast buffet every morning, a nice bar in the lobby, and a great bistro across the street.
If your daughter wants that killer instagram shot they also offer balcony rooms with a view of the Eiffel Tower. I think you can get two adjoining rooms on that level which could be a plus since the rooms are smaller and only sleep 2 or 2+sofa bed.
Like zeikka says it's VERY easy to get around Paris with the Metro so your location doesn't matter as much. I really liked this area, it was quieter at night but there are a myriad of shops and cafes along the main boulevard. It's also a walkable distance to the Luxembourg Gardens.
posted by JoeZydeco at 8:18 AM on November 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
If your daughter wants that killer instagram shot they also offer balcony rooms with a view of the Eiffel Tower. I think you can get two adjoining rooms on that level which could be a plus since the rooms are smaller and only sleep 2 or 2+sofa bed.
Like zeikka says it's VERY easy to get around Paris with the Metro so your location doesn't matter as much. I really liked this area, it was quieter at night but there are a myriad of shops and cafes along the main boulevard. It's also a walkable distance to the Luxembourg Gardens.
posted by JoeZydeco at 8:18 AM on November 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
I like the hotels in the Esprit de France collection here. These hotels are not budget, but in my opinion not budget-busters. They are very well set up for this American and feature a buffet breakfast of American-friendly food if you pay an extra fee. These hotels are small and the rooms are correspondingly small, though that is to be expected in any large European city. I have stayed in Hotel Brighton, near the Tuileries garden and the Place Vendome; the Hotel d'Orsay, near the Musee d' Orsay (my favorite museum); and my sister has stayed at the Hotel Parc Saint Severin, in the Latin Quarter.
For wandering the neighborhood, and amount of attractions nearby, I think Hotel Parc Saint Severin would be good. It is near Luxembourg gardens, Notre Dame, Arenes de Lutece, the two islands in the Seine, Ste Chappelle, and Shakespeare and Company.
As recommended above, spend a little time learning the use of the Metro and no place in central Paris is very hard to get to. There are lots of Youtube tutorials and some on Instagram as well showing how to use the Metro. (Some are dated due to the discontinuance of paper tickets). Google Maps and the Bonjour RTP apps are worth downloading and give step-by-step directions for the Metro lines you would need to use to reach a destination.
Bon voyage!
posted by statusquoante at 8:39 AM on November 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
For wandering the neighborhood, and amount of attractions nearby, I think Hotel Parc Saint Severin would be good. It is near Luxembourg gardens, Notre Dame, Arenes de Lutece, the two islands in the Seine, Ste Chappelle, and Shakespeare and Company.
As recommended above, spend a little time learning the use of the Metro and no place in central Paris is very hard to get to. There are lots of Youtube tutorials and some on Instagram as well showing how to use the Metro. (Some are dated due to the discontinuance of paper tickets). Google Maps and the Bonjour RTP apps are worth downloading and give step-by-step directions for the Metro lines you would need to use to reach a destination.
Bon voyage!
posted by statusquoante at 8:39 AM on November 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
We stayed at the Novotel Les Halles in February of this year, which is, as its name suggests, right at the Les Halles metro station, one of Paris' transit hubs. Easy access to absolutely everything -- many of the sights walkable, others a short bus or metro ride away -- and the neighborhood was always busy with both locals and tourists and never felt sketchy. There is a restaurant in the hotel, but it seemed pricey, and we didn't try it. The neighborhood is stocked with cafes and restaurants and boulangeries of all types, though.
We are city people, though, and it's definitely not a neighborhood to be in if you want peace or quiet or quaint little alleys. But we really appreciated the ease of access (including, maybe crucially, to the airports and train stations).
posted by uncleozzy at 9:04 AM on November 10, 2023
We are city people, though, and it's definitely not a neighborhood to be in if you want peace or quiet or quaint little alleys. But we really appreciated the ease of access (including, maybe crucially, to the airports and train stations).
posted by uncleozzy at 9:04 AM on November 10, 2023
I've stayed in a bunch of places around Paris, but most recently stayed near the Place de la Republique, and I would probably stay there again. At least when we stayed, which in hindsight was a decade ago so YMMV, it was more of a real neighborhood and less of a tourist district. We got croissants at the same bakery each day and by day 3 or 4 the baker recognized us by sight and started to give us friendly greetings. It's walkable to the Marais and to the Canal Saint-Martin but also has great Metro access at Republique and you're a few minutes walk from Du Pain et des Ideas. There are a few hotels around the Place (Crowne Plaza, ibis, Renaissance) so you have options - I took a quick look and you're getting out around $400/night for either a deluxe room at the Crowne Plaza with sofa bed or two rooms at the ibis) for a random long weekend in April, though I can't vouch for any specifically - we stayed in an AirBnB.
Echoing folks above who say "take the Metro". It's easy and quick and gets you basically everywhere.
I'll also say - you're in Paris, and you have five months. Plenty of time to find restaurants and make reservations. You'll also be able to get recommendations from your hotel if needed, but it's Paris - you can't limit yourself to hotel restaurants. You'll be doing yourself a massive disservice.
posted by Special Agent Dale Cooper at 10:27 AM on November 10, 2023
Echoing folks above who say "take the Metro". It's easy and quick and gets you basically everywhere.
I'll also say - you're in Paris, and you have five months. Plenty of time to find restaurants and make reservations. You'll also be able to get recommendations from your hotel if needed, but it's Paris - you can't limit yourself to hotel restaurants. You'll be doing yourself a massive disservice.
posted by Special Agent Dale Cooper at 10:27 AM on November 10, 2023
We are longtime fans of the Hotel de Buci. Good access to public transit, like everyone is saying. And a delightful neighborhood to walk around in.
posted by BlahLaLa at 10:37 AM on November 10, 2023
posted by BlahLaLa at 10:37 AM on November 10, 2023
I feel like Hotel Joke, or any of the Astotel hotels, will likely meet your needs. Joke has no restaurant, but it does serve breakfast and a free afternoon social hour (shared with all the Astotel hotels) which means if you need a bite without worrying about it in the afternoon or anytime at night, in most neighborhoods in Paris you can just walk in to any Astotel hotel and have some free snacks. (They call this Astotour, we found it convenient). Hotel Joke is in Pigalle, right by the Moulin Rouge, very walkable and lots of restaurants right nearby.
posted by shadygrove at 11:04 AM on November 10, 2023
posted by shadygrove at 11:04 AM on November 10, 2023
I've stayed in hotels and Airbnbs in Paris at various price-points and areas, and honestly there's nothing fabulous about the Paris hotel experience. Personally I prefer an Airbnb because I don't have to talk to the front desk, and the neighborhoods are a nicer experience than staying in the heart of the tourist area.
The Paris Metro is absolute top notch -- safe, the trains come every few minutes, and the vending machines have all the fun French snacks. Lots of stairs, if that's an issue. All of your destinations are easily accessed by public transit.
I will say -- our most recent visit to Paris I got an incredible deal (through Expedia) on the Warwick on the Champs-Elysees, and it was a fun location for a short trip. Walkable or an easy Metro ride to everything we wanted to do, but hotels in that area (and near the Louvre) tend to be overpriced.
There are so many absolutely amazing restaurants in Paris that going to the hotel restaurant is probably going to be your worse experience. Half the reason for our last trip to Paris was to sit at cafes!
posted by DoubleLune at 11:08 AM on November 10, 2023
The Paris Metro is absolute top notch -- safe, the trains come every few minutes, and the vending machines have all the fun French snacks. Lots of stairs, if that's an issue. All of your destinations are easily accessed by public transit.
I will say -- our most recent visit to Paris I got an incredible deal (through Expedia) on the Warwick on the Champs-Elysees, and it was a fun location for a short trip. Walkable or an easy Metro ride to everything we wanted to do, but hotels in that area (and near the Louvre) tend to be overpriced.
There are so many absolutely amazing restaurants in Paris that going to the hotel restaurant is probably going to be your worse experience. Half the reason for our last trip to Paris was to sit at cafes!
posted by DoubleLune at 11:08 AM on November 10, 2023
It's been a few years since I was there (with a teenaged sister, in fact), but I have fond memories of this place. It's very well-located, walkable, lovely and not too terribly expensive.
posted by thivaia at 11:19 AM on November 10, 2023
posted by thivaia at 11:19 AM on November 10, 2023
It would *really* help to have some cost ranges or comparable properties maybe you like in North America. The Westin as a chain is highly variable in cost and quality in across regions / locations.
posted by artificialard at 1:32 PM on November 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by artificialard at 1:32 PM on November 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
If public transit is okay, have a look at Hotel Henriette. Gobelins metro 2 minute walk. Metro line 7 to Louvre/central Paris. Jardins des Plantes 10 minute walk. Luxembourg 20 minute walk. Hotel has a single room for your daughter. A very "neighborhood" feel in 13e. https://www.hotelhenriette.com/ No restaurant but https://comptoirmarguery.fr/ and it's more expensive sibling https://petitmarguery-rivegauche.fr/ are a five minute walk and are fine as "Where should we go" solutions. Try https://lilane.com/ if you want a special meal. Walkable. Lunch is reasonably priced.
posted by FerrisWren at 3:41 PM on November 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by FerrisWren at 3:41 PM on November 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: It would *really* help to have some cost ranges or comparable properties maybe you like in North America. The Westin as a chain is highly variable in cost and quality in across regions / locations.
My Westin is Jersey City, so like 3/400 a night.
No clue if this is useful. I don't have the exchanges right in my head.
I assume that Paris/London prices are basically NYC prices, so: quite expensive. But I do not want to go to all this trouble to stay in a place that feels...cruddy. Do you know what I mean? I am making an effort here. I want it to be nice.
I could go to 500 a night, because...it's special. But I don't want to puke out money just to do it -- I want to feel that it is right and proper.
It's very hard to articulate this!
posted by A Terrible Llama at 5:20 PM on November 10, 2023
My Westin is Jersey City, so like 3/400 a night.
No clue if this is useful. I don't have the exchanges right in my head.
I assume that Paris/London prices are basically NYC prices, so: quite expensive. But I do not want to go to all this trouble to stay in a place that feels...cruddy. Do you know what I mean? I am making an effort here. I want it to be nice.
I could go to 500 a night, because...it's special. But I don't want to puke out money just to do it -- I want to feel that it is right and proper.
It's very hard to articulate this!
posted by A Terrible Llama at 5:20 PM on November 10, 2023
I would really throw away the idea of eating in the hotel restaurant and instead just book some nice places near whatever hotel you decide on yourself. There is a culture of eating out in Paris which is likely much stronger than you are used to, and it means there are always loads of places to choose from wherever you are in the city. Once you have the hotel just use TripAdvisor or similar to find close restaurants that suit your taste and budget and book ahead. You will likely get a better experience.
posted by biffa at 2:32 AM on November 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by biffa at 2:32 AM on November 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Of the options up thread, are any others than the Westin 'right' as far as walkability for the places I've mentioned?
I like knowing the metro is available and would keep things flexible, but I have those sights in my head as the bare minimum of what I would like to see (my family isn't getting a choice unless they want to do the legwork of figuring this out! "You're going to the Catacombs, ya bums.") and walking is going to let us see more of the city than the metro, more opportunities for incidental discoveries.
Budget can go up to 500, maybe higher, if it is worth it because it hits all the spots. I don't adore the Westin (it's 'fine' and 'familiar') but would rather stay in a Parisian hotel than a chain, it's just that I don't know how to choose because there are so many, and it's all on me and if I do this, drag my family across an ocean, I've subjected everyone to a bad experience and will feel responsible. (I rented a VRBO in Maine one year and was terrified about it until we got there and it was everything I had hoped for.)
I **love** the idea of adjoining rooms.
Re the restaurant: I didn't mean that we were going to Paris to eat in hotel restaurants! I just meant if someone is having a low blood sugar crisis it's handy to be able to just go get a pastry or whatever downstairs. Or if I need wine. I am going to need a lot of wine.
Also, my two companions are not adventurous eaters. I very much am, and I don't want to stress about their eating habits. If I have an opportunity to eat snails I am totally eating snails and those two can figure out how to ask Parisians for chicken nuggets or "Where's McDonalds?" and I will pretend I don't know them and go wrestle with how I feel about eating rabbit. Or they can live on pastries (they'd be fine with that.)
So hotel restaurant: not an absolute requirement.
We are flying in and out of London and will probably stay in a Westin there because...I don't know...it's all I can do to wrap my head around Paris. Maybe I should do another question on that but I do want to wrap it up because I have scarcity issues about booking the hotel, I bought and paid for the plane tickets and what if we wind up sleeping on the streets? This is how my brain works. This is how I got to my fifties without ever going to Europe.
But this is the start of testing this out, because I want to go to Thailand, I want to go to North Africa, because I have spent a good part of my life buying material things without thinking 'you know, you could have not done that a few times and gone to India instead, dummy.'
Oh: specific centralized neighborhoods to my designated sights would be very helpful.
Someone mentioned 11 amronddisssemant in another thread (yeah, Ok, I don't speak French, can't remember how 'neighborhood' is spelled. Working on it.) but I'm not sure if that's centralized.
The 15 year old doesn't know about this yet. It's a Christmas reveal.
I deeply appreciate all of this advice from people who know what they are doing!
posted by A Terrible Llama at 5:29 AM on November 11, 2023
I like knowing the metro is available and would keep things flexible, but I have those sights in my head as the bare minimum of what I would like to see (my family isn't getting a choice unless they want to do the legwork of figuring this out! "You're going to the Catacombs, ya bums.") and walking is going to let us see more of the city than the metro, more opportunities for incidental discoveries.
Budget can go up to 500, maybe higher, if it is worth it because it hits all the spots. I don't adore the Westin (it's 'fine' and 'familiar') but would rather stay in a Parisian hotel than a chain, it's just that I don't know how to choose because there are so many, and it's all on me and if I do this, drag my family across an ocean, I've subjected everyone to a bad experience and will feel responsible. (I rented a VRBO in Maine one year and was terrified about it until we got there and it was everything I had hoped for.)
I **love** the idea of adjoining rooms.
Re the restaurant: I didn't mean that we were going to Paris to eat in hotel restaurants! I just meant if someone is having a low blood sugar crisis it's handy to be able to just go get a pastry or whatever downstairs. Or if I need wine. I am going to need a lot of wine.
Also, my two companions are not adventurous eaters. I very much am, and I don't want to stress about their eating habits. If I have an opportunity to eat snails I am totally eating snails and those two can figure out how to ask Parisians for chicken nuggets or "Where's McDonalds?" and I will pretend I don't know them and go wrestle with how I feel about eating rabbit. Or they can live on pastries (they'd be fine with that.)
So hotel restaurant: not an absolute requirement.
We are flying in and out of London and will probably stay in a Westin there because...I don't know...it's all I can do to wrap my head around Paris. Maybe I should do another question on that but I do want to wrap it up because I have scarcity issues about booking the hotel, I bought and paid for the plane tickets and what if we wind up sleeping on the streets? This is how my brain works. This is how I got to my fifties without ever going to Europe.
But this is the start of testing this out, because I want to go to Thailand, I want to go to North Africa, because I have spent a good part of my life buying material things without thinking 'you know, you could have not done that a few times and gone to India instead, dummy.'
Oh: specific centralized neighborhoods to my designated sights would be very helpful.
Someone mentioned 11 amronddisssemant in another thread (yeah, Ok, I don't speak French, can't remember how 'neighborhood' is spelled. Working on it.) but I'm not sure if that's centralized.
The 15 year old doesn't know about this yet. It's a Christmas reveal.
I deeply appreciate all of this advice from people who know what they are doing!
posted by A Terrible Llama at 5:29 AM on November 11, 2023
So exciting you’re planning a trip here! It will feel overwhelming but it will be worth it when you arrive.
The Louvre is in the 1st arrondissement, Eiffel Tower is in the 6th, and the Catacombs are in the 14th, so wherever you stay there will be transport. When my parents visit they stay in a Novotel which is another chain to look at.
I swear the Guardian posted a list of hotels recently but can only find this one from March, still lots of good options.
posted by ellieBOA at 10:13 AM on November 11, 2023
The Louvre is in the 1st arrondissement, Eiffel Tower is in the 6th, and the Catacombs are in the 14th, so wherever you stay there will be transport. When my parents visit they stay in a Novotel which is another chain to look at.
I swear the Guardian posted a list of hotels recently but can only find this one from March, still lots of good options.
posted by ellieBOA at 10:13 AM on November 11, 2023
The guardian had this today: Paris for Art Lovers (some good cafe recs too). However, i suspect ellieBOA was thinking of this: Where best to enjoy autumn in Paris. Many of the recs are also good for the spring.
You mention Vrbo, and if you are comfortable with that side of things, do think about looking at some of their central apartments. I can't make any recommendations specific to using the service in Paris but I'll be using it in S. France next summer.
Perhaps suggest you daughter watch the movie Amelie before the holiday. If its her sort of thing it might give her some ideas for things she'd like to see.
posted by biffa at 3:54 PM on November 12, 2023
You mention Vrbo, and if you are comfortable with that side of things, do think about looking at some of their central apartments. I can't make any recommendations specific to using the service in Paris but I'll be using it in S. France next summer.
Perhaps suggest you daughter watch the movie Amelie before the holiday. If its her sort of thing it might give her some ideas for things she'd like to see.
posted by biffa at 3:54 PM on November 12, 2023
My dad booked a trip next week at very short notice, and went with an apartment he found on Booking.com.
posted by ellieBOA at 4:16 PM on November 15, 2023
posted by ellieBOA at 4:16 PM on November 15, 2023
Response by poster: I sucked it up and booked Hôtel Le Littré but got the suite with the less fancy terrace view. If anyone knows the hotel well enough to speak to whether we could get adjoining rooms with an Eiffel tower view, let me know! I would change the reservations. But we did get the terrace. And it is like 700+ dollars a night. So I guess we learned my price range.
And I ordered champagne and fruit basket for arrival. Once you get past that three thousand dollar hit, you're like, yeah, sure, I'll pay fifty dollars for seven pieces of fruit.
Their cancellation policy is generous so I'm going to keep looking.
If anyone else has 'spectacular views of Eiffel tower from terrace and separate but close way to house teenager', let me know. Most hotel websites are janky and hard to look through.
Apparently I am willing to spend the money. (I'm just thinking of this in terms of all the overpriced bullshit I've bought over the years and thinking, well, how about stop doing that and have spectacular experiences instead of Frye boots.)
posted by A Terrible Llama at 6:10 AM on November 23, 2023
And I ordered champagne and fruit basket for arrival. Once you get past that three thousand dollar hit, you're like, yeah, sure, I'll pay fifty dollars for seven pieces of fruit.
Their cancellation policy is generous so I'm going to keep looking.
If anyone else has 'spectacular views of Eiffel tower from terrace and separate but close way to house teenager', let me know. Most hotel websites are janky and hard to look through.
Apparently I am willing to spend the money. (I'm just thinking of this in terms of all the overpriced bullshit I've bought over the years and thinking, well, how about stop doing that and have spectacular experiences instead of Frye boots.)
posted by A Terrible Llama at 6:10 AM on November 23, 2023
My dad didn’t have a view of the Eiffel Tower but paid under $200 per night, here is a search link at Booking.com with Eiffel Tower as a keyword.
posted by ellieBOA at 10:58 AM on November 23, 2023
posted by ellieBOA at 10:58 AM on November 23, 2023
My favourite hotels in Paris is Le Ballu. Super well run, warm stylish decor, friendly, efficient, very nice breakfast, has a restaurant, you can walk to Montmartre.
I’ve also enjoyed Hotel Providence
Again very well run and friendly, you can get food whenever. Some of the rooms are very small though.
posted by tardigrade at 10:43 AM on November 25, 2023
I’ve also enjoyed Hotel Providence
Again very well run and friendly, you can get food whenever. Some of the rooms are very small though.
posted by tardigrade at 10:43 AM on November 25, 2023
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If you are in the sub $200 per night range then you'll have to make compromises about location, hotel level, etc. Paris is a big city and there are lot of other neighborhoods. Going little further down to Marais would be trendy, and prices should be cheaper than Westin and its peers, but still easy to head to Louvre, etc. Travel in Paris is easy with the Metro, and I would not hesitate to let my other boys (15 & 13) explore on their own there, but they have travelled quite a bit and not easily intimidated.
posted by zeikka at 7:50 AM on November 10, 2023