Jan 25, 2010

Paris hotels

A friend asked me for some hotel suggestions in Paris for a first-time visitor. It's been a while since I've checked prices. Whew...the weakened dollar is really a game-changer when it comes to good value. At the current exchange rate of $1.50 to one euro, a 100 euro hotel room is $150. 


Given that, here are three tried-and-true recommendations:

-- Hotel Du Levant - Latin Quarter, near St. Michel metro stop. This is a very convenient location in the heart of the Latin Quarter, a few mintues walk from the Seine, Notre Dame etc. You can take the RER directly here from either airport. http://www.hoteldulevant.com  Rates start at around 100 euros.
-- Two favorites in the Marais. The Marais is on the Right Bank but it's a "Latin Quarter'' type of neighborhood, very hip with lots of little restaurants, shops etc., close to Bastille area. It's also near a convenient Metro line.

--Hotel Jeanne D'Arc - Small, classy little hotel near a pedestrian square. Rooms are small. http://www.hoteljeannedarc.com/ Starts at 90 euros
--Hotel Castex: Same area as Jeanne D'Arc. Big discount for booking online. A very good deal for Paris. http://www.castexhotelparis.com/  Starts at 82 euro.
  Check them all out at http://www.tripadvisor.com. Whatever you decide, don't pay extra for breakfast. Most hotels charge an arm and a leg for coffee and bread. It's much cheaper and more fun to go to a local cafe.

 B&Bs can be a good way to go. The rooms are usually comfortable, have private bathrooms, include breakfast and offer the opportunity to meet locals. 


This one gets great reviews on Trip Advisor. http://www.aroominparis.com  It's near the Gare du  Nord. It's a busy area, but people don't seem to mnd. 

Here are two reliable B&B agencies with online pictures and descriptions of the rooms they have to offer:


http://www.parisbandb.com/


http://www.goodmorningparis.fr




By the way, there's an interesting program call Paris Greeters - You arrange to meet up with a local person for a few hours, and they show you around one of their favorite neighborhoods. Best part: It's all free:  http://www.parisiendunjour.fr/






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