We will be heading to Paris with two kids (18 and 15). We would like to stay somewhere close to transit so we can easily get to all the main sites but that also has restaurants and cafes close by where we can have dinner. We don't need to be in an area that has a lot of nightlife. Budget-wise we would expect to pay anywhere from $250-$400 per night but would be thrilled to get away with less! Any suggestions?
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA
2030 posts
With kids that age I would stay in the Marais, Latin Quarter or St. Germain areas. Many cafes, and shops in each area.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9420 posts
I agree with BG, and I would add Ile St Louis to the list. My favorite neighborhood of all. It's the little island next to the island where Notre Dame is. Wonderful area, and so easy to walk to the majority of sights. A teenager and young adult would love it. So will you. During the day and at night, there are street entertainers there. Also in front of ND at night. Very fun to watch them. Ile St Louis is surrounded by the river, so beautiful views everywhere.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6525 posts
With your budget the Ile St-Louis (4th arrondissement) should be a good choice, it's all Susan describes. Also Marais (3d-4th) or Latin Quarter (5th). For best sleeping, try to get a room or rooms in back, facing a courtyard rather than the street. Or try for a high floor (hopefully with elevator).
As far as being close to the Metro, restaurants, and cafes, pretty much anywhere will work. Use the Google Earth "Street View" feature to eyeball neighborhoods around your candidate hotels or apartments. Look for someplace within a few blocks of a Metro station. Once on the Metro, you can get anywhere fast.
I'll just mention the Hotel des Grandes Ecoles, in the Latin Quarter, where we had a wonderful stay, There are many other fine choices in this and other neighborhoods.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
With four of you, I would be considering an apartment, especially for more than 3 nights. A quick look on vrbo yielded a few to look at in the area described above, which I agree would be great for you...
https://www.vrbo.com/23906
https://www.vrbo.com/1389363a
https://www.vrbo.com/4067318ha
https://www.vrbo.com/559534
https://www.vrbo.com/1384335a
https://www.vrbo.com/3011989ha
Posted by
Paris
2466 posts
Just a word of caution about renting apartments:
There was a new law adopted on 7 July 2016, which will require anyone listing vacation rentals on the internet to register with the Mayor's office, before it will be allowed to appear on any website. The owner will first have to provide proof that room tax is collected, all rental fees are declared, and appropriate taxes paid - before he can receive a registration number. This number must be listed on the website. At the present time, there are only 107 legal vacation rentals in Paris, and it's impossible to find out where they are located, since no exact address is given.
There are legal apart'hotels, which have kitchenettes and laundry facilities - Citadines and Adagio are the main chains. Citadines has a nice location across from the Louvre, in the Latin Quarter. I would also suggest Hotel Residence Henri IV, which is a legal appart'hotel in a great location in the Latin Quarter, near the Cluny museum. Very convenient to Metro and Bus, lots of restaurants, shops and all the atmosphere you can handle.
With two grown children, you might think about looking for adjoining rooms, or rooms on the same floor, so you'd have access to 2 full bathrooms. If you are coming during the Summer months, you will need air-conditioning, so should stick to hotels, since most apartments do not have a/c.
If you would rather be on vacation - and not have to shop for groceries, cook, clean and do laundry - you'd probably prefer to stay in a hotel, where you could enjoy yourself. Hotel Saint-Louis-en-l'Isle is a very nice hotel on Ile Saint Louis that would meet your budget for two rooms.
Posted by
Chicago
8063 posts
I would book two rooms in a modest hotel so you have two bathrooms and a little personal space. For example, we booked the hotel Delambre on Rue Delambre for about 100 Euro a double room. There was a room safe, wifi and an adequate bathroom with shower and it is just around the corner from the Edgar Quinet and Vavin metro stops and not far from the transport hub of Montparnasse station. You can get twin bed rooms.
With a family an apartment is a better bet although there are now hazards with recent increased enforcement of laws about apartment rentals. And if you are going to be there in summer you really want AC and apartments rarely have it. Also note that the Hotel des Grandes Ecoles, an otherwise charming if a bit run down hotel, does not have AC. We once had a room there that was miserable in early June. The place has a lovely garden and if you are traveling in May it would be a good choice.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9420 posts
With two young adults who are old enough to go out on their own I would want to stay in the very heart of Paris where there is so much to see and do on foot. They can go out for a short time while you're resting or whatever and not be far away from you and can get back to you easily. Ile St Louis is ideal for that.
Posted by
California 🦋
5220 posts
Another vote for booking 2 separate rooms for you & your teens.
My daughter & I enjoyed our stay at Hotel Diana last month.
It's centrally located, in the northern part of the Latin quarter, adjacent to Saint Germain district, (near La Sorbonne University).
The hotel is clean, with comfortable beds, A/C, & elevator. The hotel staff are friendly & helpful.
The price is very reasonable for it's location too.
Here is their website: http://hotel-diana-paris.com/
Have a wonderful trip!