A bit overwhelmed with how to go about booking lodging in Paris. We are 2 adults traveling with 2 kids (4 year and 11 month old). We have 6 nights in Paris (may 26-June 1).
Everything that has been recommended appears sold out or over $400 a night. We currently have Courtyard by Marriott Paris Gare de Lyon booked but realize it’s not central.
Is there a way to find something central that would be around $200-$250 a night? Should we think about doing 2 stays? Thank you!
I searched VRBO for your dates. It said only 8% of its usual inventory is available for those dates. There were several for $350 a night.
I don’t know why you left it so late for such a busy weekend (perhaps this was a last minute opportunity?). At any rate, you will either have to stay a little further out or pay more.
I hope you find something that will be satisfactory for you and have a great trip.
I’ve just looked on booking.com and it does seem as if most places, hotels and apartments, will cost you about $3,000 to $5,000 Canadian, just for 6 nights.
Can you change the dates to be in Paris so you are not there over a weekend? Or have less nights there, and spend the other nights in a different city or town?
It may be cheaper.
Keep looking!
Which of the Courtyards have you booked,? The one at Porte de Versailles has a reasonable location, and at Gare de Lyon would be central.
We didn’t realize it was a busy weekend in Paris :(
We’ve booked courtyard Paris gare de Lyon. Will look into the Porte de Versailles. Thanks!
The Courtyard Gare de Lyon is much more central than Porte de Versailles. Gare de Lyon is not necessarily a “charming” area, but it should be very convenient for transit and close enough to the major sites.
I would stay with what you have. The budget, number of people in the room, and the time of year are not aligned for finding something better. Gare de Lyon is very well served by transit options and while not as central as some parts of Paris, it is central enough.
Courtyard Gare de Lyon is right on the Line 1, so you will be fine.
By the way are those dollars, US or Canadian or any of the other dollars?
And Gare de Lyon is also on the RER A line so three stops to the Arc de Triomphe and two stops to Palais Garnier. I’ve stayed in that area a few times and been happy with my choice.
JHK - Thank you! Makes me feel better! It's USD.
Kim - Thank you! That's reassuring.
JenS - Is it still safe?
This is a very nice, modest hotel, centrally located in the 5th, with rooms for 4 at very reasonable cost:
Hotel Marignan
http://www.hotel-marignan.com/
Safe? Yes. I know you did not ask me but chiming in anyway. What are your safety concerns? Mugging, robbery, that sort of thing? I’d say it’s fine just pay attention to your surroundings but I’d say that about everywhere. I’ve walked around there alone or with another woman as late as 1 AM and saw nothing bothersome.
Gare de Lyon area is fine, and is still in Paris, so I'd say you'll be fine!
Have a great time!
JHK, thanks for chiming in. I was going to defer on that question. : )
Gare de Lyon is far, far better than Porte de Versailles and is indeed quite central! Good choice.
I made reservations for early October for my husband and me @ 2 months ago on VRBO. Even then, I noticed that the flats that I had bookmarked were going fast or had actually risen @$500 for the stay! I was on it quickly and managed to book our preferred flat in the 1st A.
People do cancel, so here's hoping you find what you want.
Thank you everyone! I seemed to have lucked out. The much recommended Hotel B Montmarte was available, if we adjusted our dates a bit (did Paris first, then Normandy - specially with kids, as another traveller recommended). Hopefully the booking was legit and it works out for us.
I have stayed at that hotel when I was on the Rick Steves Paris and the Heart of France Tour. It is quite nice, very convenient to the Metro, and bakeries + groceries nearby. You can take the bus in front of the hotel straight to the Trocadero and it is a interesting ride.
I like the new hotel and the location but it's funny because it is not anymore central than the Marriott that you had previously reserved. It is a way more charming hotel though. To get to most of the major tourist sites by metro, you will have to change trains.
@Carol, what bus is it that stops in front of the hotel?
