Contact info for Hotel des Grandes Ecoles?

Several points you may want to consider:

1. Many hotels in Paris are closed until 1 September.

2. 8 months is indeed too far in advance for most hotel bookings in Paris, particularly for small, independent hotels.

3. You might wait until September and give them the change to clear their email backlog. Or you might try calleding in September.

I looked at the hotel’s website and entered some dates in late April. There appears to be available rooms. Keep in mind that this hotel was closed until recently, so they are probably behind on answering emails.

We stayed at this hotel before and after the Loire Valley/South of France tour in 2018, and really enjoyed it.

Jane, when I look at their website, they have a totally different email address.

Check out the address on this page:

https://en.hoteldesgrandesecoles.com/

It says to email [email protected]

Don't take my word for it (in case I have mistyped it), go to the page and follow their link to email them.

This looks like a beautiful hotel! I agree they may be inundated with requests or not accepting bookings for 2022 yet.

The hotel website shows a different email address: [email protected] Perhaps they updated when they reopened. If all else fails, you could also try calling.

Edited to add: Kim, I was typing the same thing while you were posting.

Thanks, all. I did look for another email address on their website, but evidently missed it. I'll give it another go.

Edited to add: And there the address is, right at the bottom of the page. [Slaps forehead in chagrin and embarrassment.] Thanks again, friends.

Just a follow-up: I got a response from the hotel yesterday, apologizing for the delay. They are open, and taking reservations.

Anyone want to weigh in on the difference between a Chambre Classique and a Chambre Supérieure? Other than the 2 extra square meters? And the extra €30?

Oddly enough, all room categories offer breakfast (at a higher cost) except the Chambre avec Vue Jardin. I've emailed them about that. I know we can get breakfast elsewhere, but I do like a hearty breakfast when traveling. That's the one we'd probably opt for. It's the same size as the Chambre Classique, but €10 more.

And I still have a reservation at the Hotel de l'Empereur... Decisions, decisions.

Breakfast at the hotel: depends on your definition of hearty. Perhaps try the first morning to see. The hotel is only about 3 blocks from Breakfast in America, now that’s hearty:
https://breakfast-in-america.com/

Regarding room size, I’d take a look at Trip Advisor and Booking.com for reviews. Lots of details there. From the website photos, I’d opt for the garden view...but probably not the room with the tiny oval window (but that’s just me). Have a great trip!

Thanks, Barbara. I suspect the American-style breakfast wouldn't suit me much. At home, I have oatmeal and fruit. Camping, we have fruit, bread, and peanut butter.

In Europe, I enjoy the good bread, cheeses, salami.... Plain yoghurt and fruit as well. I eat a lot of eggs at home, but not for breakfast.

I think we're going to splurge on the superior garden room. I thought Stan would want to stay at the l'Empereur, since he likes the Rue Cler area so much, but I left the Grandes Ecoles website open when I went to bed last night, and he's hooked.

Thanks, everyone, for your help. As usual!

Edit to add: Lest anyone think I stacked the deck by leaving that one website open, I actually left the websites for both the Paris hotels open, and he preferred Grandes Ecoles. Said l'Empereur reminded him too much of a Four Seasons! Lol. I think maybe he meant "impersonal." We've only stayed at a Four Seasons once, as guests of family members. And we enjoyed the experience, although maybe he didn't!

“Hearty breakfast” in Paris is usually a coffee and croissant .

Hotel Grandes Ecoles is fine in cool weather. Worst night we spent in a hotel was on an upper room there in June with zero cross ventilation -- the room was 100F in the daytime and stayed hot at night. It was also rather worn and shabby but perhaps they have renovated since then.

The breakfast was served in the lovely patio and the garden is wonderful to have. It is not a 'hearty breakfast' -- it was a bread basket, juice, and the usual choice of tea, coffee or chocolate. Then (a few years ago) it did not include egg, meats, cheeses etc.

Janet, we're going to be there in April, so the lack of a/c shouldn't be a problem.

Some of the reviews suggest more substantial breakfast, but I can always have some cheese or fruit handy to plump it out, if necessary.

Thanks for your comments.

We have stayed twice but some years ago and they may have upgraded the breakfasts; when we were there they were beautiful - but they were bread and jam and coffee.

The location is great and the garden is nice. The rooms not so much although apparently there are some updated larger rooms.

Janet, that sounds like the breakfasts at a hotel we stayed at in Aix-en-Provence in 2019. We had breakfast in the garden and were served a tray with a pot of coffee, some warm milk, a basket of breads, butter, and yogurt. There may have been jam; I don't remember because I don't eat it. I think there were usually a couple of pieces of fruit.

Beautiful, and surprisingly satisfying.

Based on recommendations on this forum, we stayed at the Hotel des Grandes Ecoles for ten days in March of 2019. We found the hotel to be quirky and charming (which we like) but was definitely in need of some updating. The courtyard and garden are lovely and a quiet respite from a busy day. The real star of our stay was the neighborhood - the lively place de la Contrescarpe and a plethora of restaurants just up the block, the river and many sites within easy walking distance and a number of good transit connections for the rest.

We had a family room that was clean, comfortable and functional enough but definitely worn. The bathroom sink dripped and the bathtub was raised up above floor level making it a challenge to get in and out of safely when wet. (It looks as if they may have some rooms with preferably updated bathrooms.) We did have a bit of an issue when we checked in as we had booked a room with 3 beds and we were given a room with two twins and a pullout couch. There were no alternatives available and in the end the couch was comfortable enough for our daughter and we were happy to have the extra seating area during the day. Since they have so many unique rooms, if you book, I would suggest reconfirming your precise reservation request in advance if you are expecting a particular room.

I would say the breakfast was a bit above average compared to other Parisian hotel breakfasts I’ve had. It included the usual croissant, baguette, hot beverage choices and juice that I’ve had before with the addition of a small piece of foil wrapped soft cheese and I think maybe alternating yogurt one day and fruit compote or applesauce the next. No eggs, sliced cheese or meats were offered. It was served in the breakfast room, just off the reception area. We got the breakfast a few times and enjoyed it but preferred picking up a slice of quiche or pastry and coffee at one of the three terrific bakeries we found close by.

Although we’ve not stayed at Hôtel L’Empereur, we have stayed in the rue Cler neighborhood. In considering the two hotels - they look to be apples and oranges. Hôtel L’Empereur appears to be updated which could be a real plus. The vibe between the two areas is very different as well. Depending on what you want to see and do, many consider the Latin Quarter to be closer to the “heart” of the city.

I've stayed in Paris hotels for dozens of nights over the years. I never, ever, have breakfast in the hotel. One of the joys of Paris for me is having coffee and a croissant in a cafe and watching the world go by. Too often hotel breakfasts are in basements, not to mention overpriced. Go find a convivial cafe!

I generally agree about hotel breakfasts -- but the Hotel Des Grandes Hotels does breakfast in the lovely garden -- and while overpriced, it is lovely.