Travelling solo to Paris in November for 1st time visit. My priorities: safe area, $150-$175 a night hotel, friendly helpful staff, convenient to cafes, major sites(museums, areas of interest for walking tours). I do not mind walking at all. Have narrowed down my hotel search to the Marais(may be too noisy) and Ile St. Louis areas. Ile St. Louis seems to suit my tastes, quieter, historic, charming, many cafes. My only concern with Ile St. Louis; is it to inconvenient to get to from airport(I will have carry on luggage only)?
Any pro/cons for each neighborhood or the following hotels? I am considering Hotel des Deux Iles, Hotel de Lutece, or Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais. I appreciate any tips, suggestions from your personal experiences. Thanks
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
784 posts
I've rented apartments in the "greater" Marais area three times and noise was an issue only once. The other times I was on a courtyard with no street noise. If you get a hotel room at the back, noise won't be an issue. I have strolled on Ile St. Louis, but not stayed there. It is quieter, and should be fine in a hotel. Do you plan to take the RER in from the airport? If so, it wouldn't be too long of a walk from Chatelet/LES Halles to the Ile. Personally, I'd take a flat rate taxi - when you are tired after an international flight the 50-55€ fare is worth the convenience and you get to see where you are going.
Posted by
Vacaville, Ca
1369 posts
Last year a rented an apartment on Ile. St. Louis, 15 rue des Deux Ponts to be exact, and noise was not an issue. A taxi to & from CDG is only 50 Euros. The RER-B also stops at St. Michel RER/Metro stop. You just take the exit/Sortie that states & heads to Notre Dame Cathedral, it brings you out in front of it and its a short walk to Ile. St. Louis walking past either side of ND. The right side takes you through its park & exits onto the bridge that takes you to Ile. S. Louis. If its raining on arrival, take a taxi instead.
Enjoy your trip.
Posted by
3122 posts
Maybe it was just coincidental to the evening we were there, but we walked along the main drag of Ile St. Louis and heard only American English being spoken by the other folks strolling the street. In other words, we felt like we might as well be in St. Louis, Missouri instead of the Ile St. Louis.
Posted by
Kansas
1175 posts
We always stay on the islands because it is in central Paris with adjacent metro and RER lines within minutes and easily walkable to many sights. It is also tourist central, which is no surprise, so there's really no reason for any Parisians to stroll around on the islands unless they work there. If you just have to mingle with Parisians, you can walk a couple blocks in any direction and you will find French tourists, and maybe some locals, in bistros and cafes, watching the world go by. We also spend a lot of time in the Marais but much prefer staying on the islands, right across the Seine from St. Germain, with all it has to offer.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6525 posts
Both areas are safe, as are most areas frequented by tourists (other than pickpocketing, which is covered in many threads on this board). I'd say the Marais will be more lively and more convenient to Metro, but not necessarily noisy if, as recommended, you look for a room in the back or on a courtyard. The Ile has a great deal of charm and views of the river, and is also a convenient location. I'd be surprised if you could get a hotel there on your budget, though. The Marais would have more hotel choices.
Posted by
Paris
2466 posts
With your budget, I would recommend Hotel Les Tournelles.
It's just been renovated and has a friendly staff. http://www.lestournelles.com/en/
The Metro is two blocks away, the bus is right outside your door and you can walk over Pont du Sully to get to Ile Saint-Louis.
You can get anywhere from this hotel within about 15 minutes, if you take the Metro.
I have stayed in 3 of the 4 hotels on Ile Saint-Louis. Depending on the day - weekends are bad - taxis have a hard time getting to the hotels, due to the tourists.
Flat fees are in effect, so you'll pay 55 EU to go to Ile Saint-Louis, with luggage.
Hand the driver the complete address, postal code included, so there won't be any confusion.
The cafes on the island are not very good, food-wise, except for the Saint Regis, which is expensive, and where everyone speaks English. You might try the crepe restaurants on the main street, though.
Daytime is packed with tourists, but nighttime will be active until around midnight.
You'll be safe, though - in either place you choose.