Where to stay in Paris

[Clive005]

Hi all just looking for some advice on where to stay while in Paris for 4 days in September, It will be our first time there so would like a continent location as only have 4 days, I'm a Accor member and probably looking at keeping the price below $300 a night.
Thanks
Clive

 

[kookaburra75]

Hi Clive
A few questions to work out where might be the best area to stay:
- is it your first trip to Paris
- is there anything special you really want to see
- do you need to stay at a hotel, or would other options be ok

We stay in the La Marais district, as it's close to the main sights such as Notre Dame, Metro stations and quite funky. I'd recommend Bonne Nuit. www.bonne-nuit-paris.com

 

[Clive005]

Thanks,Kooka it will be our first trip, we just want to check out the sights and experience Paris.
No it doesn't have to be a hotel.

 

[I love to travel]

I have stayed at rue du turrene apartment 3 a number of times. John is fabulous to deal with, very trustworthy and he lives in Melbourne. He will also be flexible on min and max days.
m.home

 

[kelvedon]

There are 20 Arrondisements (districts) in Paris and you’ll probably get 10 different recommendations. I personally prefer the Latin Quarter, more relaxed and Bohemian than the conservative city north of the River Seine ( the “ Rive Droite”)
Here’s a reasonable précis of the districts.

Where To Stay in Paris - My 2019 Guide - The Hotel Expert

 

[kookaburra75]

Thanks,Kooka it will be our first trip, we just want to check out the sights and experience Paris.
No it doesn't have to be a hotel.

There's certainly a lot to see and do in Paris, and everyone has their favourites. Check out the Destination Guide index for ideas, tips etc of other travellers. Trip Reports Index

We were there in late 2016, and enjoyed what was a first time for MrsK to Paris. Belated Trip Report - European Escapade

We enjoyed tripping around the usual sites; Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Montmartre, Motion Rouge and so on. Did the really touristy things, champagne on the Eiffel Tower etc. One of the big highlights are the bakeries. You haven't had a baguette until you get one in France. A fresh baguette, block of soft cheese, bottle of wine and then kick back on the balcony taking in the sights and sounds of the city.

 

[ellen10]

I have been to Paris 8 times and always like to stay somewhere different. I have stayed in both hotels and apartments.
As someone mentioned there are 20 arrondissements (districts). The single digits are the closer in districts and closer to the river Seine and main places to visit for a first time visitor. My preference is the left bank mainly the 5th or 6th arr. followed by the 4th.

My preference is apartments as I love to shop at the markets and Boulangeries and buy all those Parisian treats to sample and for 4 days I like a bit more space. I too am an Accor member but have never actually stayed in any of their Paris hotels. If you get a good sale price then maybe it is worthwhile.
If booking a hotel I tend to go with ones with a cute character. Hotel rooms are usually very small in Paris, but for a first time visitor maybe that is an easier option for you.
There are lots of good walking tours and great food walking tours too. There are so many wonderful sights and experiences and big ticket items to tick off, you will love it. Paris is a great walking city as it is mainly flat, but it also has a great Metro system.

 

[Milboo]

We stayed in Marais on my first visit and then more recently for a weekend visit, we stayed at Hotel Notre Dame Saint Michel - Hotel Notre Dame Saint Michel *** Paris | Boutique Hotel Notre Dame Paris | OFFICIAL SITE

There is metro and RER just metres away, lots of restaurants, the Seine across the road and best of all, this was the view from our room as it is right across the road.

 

[Blinky]

As an Accor member, have a look at Sofitel Eiffel Tower. We stayed there about 10 years ago and it was very good. Small rooms, as is the case with everywhere in Paris, but comfortable.

Luxury hotel PARIS – Sofitel Paris Baltimore Tour Eiffel

 

[kookaburra75]

There are lots of good walking tours and great food walking tours too. There are so many wonderful sights and experiences and big ticket items to tick off, you will love it. Paris is a great walking city as it is mainly flat, but it also has a great Metro system.

We used the Metro a lot. The Citymapper app is great, where you can say where you want to go and it gives you the public transport options, and after you've selected your preferred option, how long until the next bus/train.

 

[tgh]

Lots of useful info here well done everyone.
As H.diamonds we have booked the H.Curio Maison Astor for our stay in June.
The H.Paris Opera looked more central but the rates were stratospheric

 

[Ewing]

I spent 4 nights at Hôtel L'Échiquier MGallery (part of Accor) last time I was in Paris and it was wonderful. A beautifully restored building with wonderful staff and service and a great location - two minute walk to the Metro and a ~10 minute stroll to Gare de l'Est as well.

They have a lovely lounge bar in a "Palm Court" type area which was great for some evening drinks and is also where breakfast is served. Full American style plus a delicious French style with fresh baguettes, pastries, cheeses, etc.

Luxury hotel PARIS – Hôtel L'Échiquier Opéra Paris - MGallery by Sofitel

I'd definitely stay there again.

Here's a couple of snaps of the room:

 

[Clive005]

Thanks so much everyone, you have got me on the right track, we are adding a few days in Paris onto a 5 week Europe holiday, it looks to good to miss.
Really apriciate the advice given here
Clive

 

[dajop]

Are you a luxury hotel traveller (with space, concierges, bars, rooms with a view, restaurants etc) or happy with just somewhere to sleep and shower?

If the latter, we've stayed at some Ibis properties- more than adequate for what we needed and also stayed at some very small roomed boutique properties which were simultaneously cheap ($120 AUD or so) and modern, but had no room to swing a cat (or for that matter store more than one item of luggage, other than standing up) but still had comfortable beds, a lockable safe and hot showers with excellent pressure. When spending 11pm to 8am in the room and maybe a pitstop or two, the absence of luxury items never really bothered us.

 

[dxwell]

Location is very important for me in Paris - Marais or Saint-Michel are the best IMHO.
Did enjoy a recent stay in the 7th, not so much a stay near Argentine metro station.

 

[Clive005]

Are you a luxury hotel traveller (with space, concierges, bars, rooms with a view, restaurants etc) or happy with just somewhere to sleep and shower?

We are the later in this case dajop We will only be 4 nights in Paris, our first time there so will be out exploring most of the time, I like the idea of the Ibis good prices and tidy, will just need to find one in a good location. Which one did you stay in

Clive

 

[dajop]

We are the later in this case dajop We will only be 4 nights in Paris, our first time there so will be out exploring most of the time, I like the idea of the Ibis good prices and tidy, will just need to find one in a good location. Which one did you stay in

I think last time it was Grand Boulevards/Opera, about 10 mins walk from Opera. Was quite adequate (we actually got a corner room which was nice, and slightly bigger), and location was quite good. But there are plenty of other Ibis/Ibis Styles and other similar chain hotels, in a variety of areas. Not that I've been spent too much time in Paris, buthave stayed on left bank, at the Ibis I mentioned, near Jardin du Luxembourg, Parc Monceau and at the Le Meridien Etoile.

All of the locations were good, with the exception of the Le Meridien, location wasn't quite to my liking. Maybe because it was really quite hot when we stayed there, and walking around not as much fun

 

[jase05]

Stayed at the Paris Pullman Eiffel Tower last year and was close to plenty of cafes and restaurants. We walked pretty much everywhere but there was plenty of PT in close proximity. A couple of metro lines were having major work done but substitute buses were running or we took alternative lines.
Scored a wonderful upgrade so we had this to view from our balcony every day

 

[tdimdad]

Accommodation recommendations would be appreciated, please, for six nights in next August. I'll attend an event that's hosted at Palais des Congrés de Paris (17th Arr) and am likely to travel solo.

I'd like it to either be within walking distance from the venue (2 km) or within efficient public transport. If it'll be public transport, max 30 mins door to door is reasonable to me. The price I'd like to keep max 100e/day. Of course, easy access to iconic things like walks on Seine, some key sights, etc would be cool but I'm quite happy to scoot around by train, etc. Having a mini-kitchen and laundry machine would be nice added bonuses.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I have been to Paris 8 times and always like to stay somewhere different. I have stayed in both hotels and apartments.

Like Ellen we do the same and have been to Paris a similar number of time.

Each area will have its own charms (and annoyments!) and we find that by moving around it allows one to more easily sample the local vibe, cafes, restaurants, bars and markets in a few minutes walk of a particular area.


ADDING TO WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID

Make sure you are an easy walk from a Metro Station. Paris is large but the Metro makes it so easy to get anywhere.

Consider staying at easy walk of at least some of the sights you want to stay at.

How will you be arriving/departing in Paris?

• We always use the train from the CDG Airport as it is easy and cheap (The other airport is more troublesome).
• Note however that with the Metro that many stations (not the main Rail Stations (Gare)), and connections between lines often have stairs and so can be a struggle if you have too many heavy bags.
• One of the oddities of Paris is that each main train line terminates at a different station. These are mainly set well apart and transfers will be on the Metro.
• The Gare du Nord (ie From London) and Gare de l'Est (To say visit the Champagne Region) area 15 minute walk apart.
• If you use the Gares to arrive and depart you may wish to stay near the one/s that you will be using due to you bags.