Clueless in Paris. Booked a Hotel in 14th Arr. Need Help.

parisbytrain.com
tomsguidetoparis

Both will help.

Don't worry too much about it. Paris is so walkable. I rented an AirBnB in the 13th when I went a few years ago. I was just a short walk from the Metro and was easily able to get to the things I wanted to see on the Right Bank--15 minutes or so away. It's better to spend less on your lodging so you can eat more! The Metro is delightful, clean, and the quickest way to get around.

I bought a Paris Museum card and carnets of 10 Metro tickets. I usually get a city's museum card, because I visit a lot of museums, and because it's worth it to jump the line.

And I didn't know bookings were non-refundable through booking.com.

Booking.com often offers two types of pricing: one that's lower for non-refundable booking, and one that's higher for refundable. Both types are clearly marked - it's not even small print - so it's a matter of reading ALL of the print. I'd be surprised if the hotel will waive the fee but really, you can get anywhere you want to go in Paris by metro. Paris is also such a GREAT city to walk that I'm guessing you'll cover more ground than you think you will on your own two feet.

We usually buy carnets of 10 single-journey tickets (14,50 euro) but you can also purchase a 3 or 4-day pass for central Paris for 25,85 - 37,25 euro if you think you'll be taking the metro and/or bus enough to make them worthwhile.

http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/r_61584/tickets/

Relax, you are fine. As long as you can get to the metro, nothing is inconvenient. You buy a ten ride carnet -- you insert one ticket each time in the turnstile, grab it back and absolutely keep track of the ticket. Once you are complete out of the metro then you can throw it away. Till then you may be asked to show the stamped ticket anytime while you are within the system.

You can go anywhere in Paris on the Metro so don't worry about the location. Might take a few minutes more than a more centrally located hotel, but at least you'll be in Paris -- and the "real" Paris to boot.

don't know exactly where you are in the 14th, but it is my favorite arrondissement to stay in. It is well connected with transport, not touristy, has tons of cafes, classic brasserie and the best street of crepe restaurants is there. If I were booking a hotel instead of an apartment, I'd probably stay there. At least from the area east of Gare Montparnasse it is a fairly easy walk to the center; when we have stayed there, we have trained in in the morning to wherever we were going centrally and then strolled back through the Luxembourg Gardens in the late afternoon. You got a cheap rate and it is a great part of town (well maybe -- it is a big arrondissement and it depends on precisely where you are. YOu need to note the metro stop for the hotel to get advice about travel. (it is a very interesting cemetery with lots of famous people in it)

Ah, the nearest stations I see are Pernéty, Gaîté and Gare Montparnasse around my hotel. Thanks for your comments!

I too love the 14eme. Especially the Alesia area. Very residential Au Moulin Vert is one of my favorite restaurants in Paris on the Rue des Plantes.

We are staying in the 13th this time not too far from Alesia area; I like the 14th a lot better.

Dendert Rochereau is the metro and RER stop at the Catacombs, if that's really where it is. Great location. Just south of the Luxembourg Gardens. Two metro lines, the 4 and 2, as well as the 38 bus which goes right up through the Latin Quarter, Notre Dame and on to Gare du Nord. This is west of the three metros you just mentioned. You did just fine.

chances are you could have booked the room even cheaper by booking directly with the hotel. Hotels as well as booking.com offer both refundable rates as well as non-refundable rates.

I have stayed twice (no, 3 times!) in the area and I found it to be quite accessible to the major sites. I usually walked to Place St-Michel -- took maybe 15 or 20 minutes. Using the metro is easy, and you will be close to a number of lines. Also, there's a great market on Raspail which should be relatively close to you and a nice gelato shop in that area as well. Don't miss the Montparnasse Cemetery -- lots of interesting grave sites.

When you arrive at Gare du Nord, buy a carnet of 10 Metro tickets, and use the first one to take the RER B to Denfert-Rochereau. There are elevators and escalators to access the the platforms at Gare du Nord, and elevators to street level at Denfert-Rochereau. That should put you walking distance of your hotel. You have good Metro line connections to all over Paris.

Note be sure you are pickpocket proof when riding the metro especially on arrival when you are tired and have all your valuables on you. My husband was frisked on the steps at Denfert Rochereauc by 3 men looking for his wallet as he carried our two suitcases down the stairs. This is unusually aggressive; usually pickpockets work without you even being aware. We didn't lose anything because my husband wasn't carrying valuables in his pockets but on another occasion he found a hand in his pocket on the metro when he put his own hand in his pants pocket. Just either use a money belt well stowed under your clothes or have things well stowed in bags that are not easily accessed. No wallet in backpack (unless in an inner well zipped and hidden pocket, or in jacket or pants pockets. When my husband got frisked, I had our passports and cards in the money belt under my clothes; I only use it in these situations as a body safe, but then we don't have to worry about it. Once at the hotel, use the hotel safe.

Yes, that's a nice area. Don't cancel the hotel booking.

The Montparnasse cemetery is interesting if you can get a guidebook with a detailed map of it. Lots of well-known arts figures.

The Montparnasse cemetery is interesting if you can get a guidebook
with a detailed map of it.

You can download a map right here:
http://api-site-cdn.paris.fr/images/58963

I love the Paris cemeteries. :O)
You'll be just fine in the 14th.

Four nights at around $75 per? Huge bargain, if true, and if the stars are the official city-of-Paris rating. You can go back to Booking.com and read the reviews, which are at least as reliable as their "hurry-up-or-you'll-lose-it" hustle. Anyhow, you aren't clueless but you are pretty slack in doing your homework. For lots of clues, start by go to this site's Explore Europe pages -- see the link at top left? -- and start doing-it-yourself for real.

Nothing wrong with a two star hotel in Paris.. I have stayed in many.. did you read the reviews though?

And the 14 th is a good area.. nothing wrong with it either.

Next time read sites carefully before you hit the submit payment button.... I have used booking.com for years and the rooms are most definately refundable IF you choose the higher price for a refundable reservation . You simply didnt.

Thats a very cheap price.. so which hotel is it? Sheesh , I might book it myself at that price.

The hotel may waive the fee and cancel the booking, CALL booking.com and ask them to call the hotel for you...as you made a mistake.

The question is, do you like the quality of the hotel? Will you get a good night's sleep?
If not, maybe your credit card company can help out.

i am with Pat----there are plenty of very good 2-star hotel in Paris. Read the reviews. Then make your decision. Do you mind telling us the name of the hotel?