Hi everyone - we are doing a short pass through Paris, 4 nights in late May. I'm torn on where to stay! Novotel Les Halles (1st arrondissement) has the right type of accommodations (two beds instead of sleeper sofas) and seems to be close to may options, but I am reading that Le Marais is a more robust, bustling place - less "sterile".
Opinions, please!
Thank you in advance!
I sincerely doubt that you will find a room that is the same size especially if it is for a family as the one you have at the Novotel Les Halles for the same price in Le Marais. Novotel Les Halles is right near the Chatelet-les-Halles RER station and bustling in its own way with that way being as a major transport hub. Le Marais is more charming but you could walk to many parts of Le Marais in 10 to 15 minutes from the hotel. Also, you may want to post this in the France forum and not over here in the reviews section.
I agree with JHK, your family will appreciate sleeping in beds instead of on sofas for four nights. Chatelet-Les Halles is a very central location with good connections to everywhere, including the Marais. I'm not sure what "robust" means but few places in Paris have more bustle than the Halles area.
The old food market gave way many years ago to a rather sterile underground shopping mall. Ignore or use it minimally. Walk to the great areas nearby and bus or Metro to those farther away.
And, yes, you'll get more responses under "France." This board is for reviews of places people have eaten and stayed. You could post here after your trip with your take on whatever hotel you use.
Les Halles area is dreary and not charming at all. The Marais is fabulous and charming. Personally, I’d much rather stay in the Marais.
Every morning you will leave your hotel and spend entire day in many different areas in Paris - it would be easiest if everyone is well rested and to me that means NO to sofa beds !
No one hangs around their hotel neighborhood all day , and a good nights sleep is priceless.
Just go to Hotel Latin Excelsior in the Latin Quarter (near Pantheon, Notre Dame, etc) and book one of their family suites. It's centrally located clean, friendly, much nicer neighborhood than Les Halles with the busiest metro station in THE WORLD! yuk
http://www.excelsior-paris-hotel.com/en/
This place even has AC so that you can close your windows and keep out the noise, bugs, cigarette smoke and sleep well. Their breakfast bakery is located in the lobby, and they make their own WONDERFUL croissants :-)
Tim, excellent recommendation.
Great neighborhood and exceptional location. And being that close to the Luxembourg Gardens is a huge bonus.
The neighborhood i stay in matters to me. It’s what i see out the window, it’s what i see and walk through when i leave the hotel, it’s the last thing i see and walk through coming back to the hotel. I like a neighborhood that is my temporary “home”, where i find a good bakery, grocery, etc.
Les Halles is beyond depressing.
My guess is there are many hotels in nice neighborhoods that are affordable and have enough real beds for everyone.
Yes, Tim, very good recommendation. That hotel is one of my go-to suggestions of families in Paris and assuming this family is willing to give up on staying on the Right Bank, your suggestion could be the place for them.
