Has anyone stayed at any of these Paris hotels recently ?
Hotel des Grandes Ecoles, Hotel Diana, or Hotel du College de France ?
Does anyone have a preference ? This isn't a major decision, but they all seem about the same. I'm trying to decide if Grandes Ecoles is too far from the Eiffel Tower.
We return to Paris on the back end of a trip and just want to enjoy a picnic at the Eiffel and a stroll through some neighborhoods.
I’d choose Hotel Diana or Hotel du College de France. Much better locations, nicer hotels. Hotel des Grandes Ecole is too far from Notre Dame and most of the 5th (Latin Quarter) which it’s in, for me, let alone the ET. I also think it’s over priced.
depends on when you are going. If summer -- not the Grandes Ecoles as it has no AC and the upper rooms are sweltering. IN the spring its little garden is a huge plus -- you can bring back wine and cheese and enjoy a lovely moment before heading out to dinner. The Eiffel Tower is on the far edge of Paris away from anything else you would want to see -- don't try for a hotel near it. The Latin Quarter, Marais or St. Germain are all much more convenient.
I like the Grandes Ecoles but have only stayed there in cooler weather. It is a little farther from the ET and other major sights than the others (where I haven't stayed) but the garden is a real plus. I wouldn't let distance from the ET drive your choice, but distance from the river and other central-Paris sights might.
We absolutely adored Grandes Ecoles, but our idea of a nice picnic location runs more to the Jardin du Luxembourg and not the Eiffel Tower. There's not much else to see & do near the Eiffel Tower, at least not that was of interest to us. From Grandes Ecoles it is an easy 10- or 15-minute walk to the Ile St Louis and Notre Dame.
The walk back to Grandes Ecole from ND or ISL is longer, as it’s uphill. It’s also on the eastern side of the 5th, away from all the fun areas imo. It is very close to rue Mouffetard though, which I do love.
Thank you for all of your input !
Are we missing any quaint, lovely hotels ? I'm not finding the B&B type of experience we seem to find, and the hotels seem to be very standardized and uninteresting, if that makes sense. I think that's what drew me to the Grandes Ecoles.
It's only 2 days, but at the end of a trip, I don't want to leave Europe on a less than happy note because we stayed at a Motel 6 hotel....
The charming hotels tend to be expensive. The hotels on Ile St Louis are charming. Hotel de Lutèce, Hotel des Deux Iles and Hotel St Louis en l’Isle. Ile St Louis, the little island next to bigger island where Notre Dame is, is charming and my favorite neighborhood in Paris. Charming hotels in the Marais, but the only one I know is Hotel Jeanne d’Arc.
If it were me, I’d look for a book on “Charming Paris Hotels” on Amazon.
When are you going? ie, how much time do you have to find and book one? Charming hotels book up especially fast.
My daughter and I enjoyed our stay at Hotel Diana.
The staff was friendly and helpful. The hotel is conveniently located near a Metro stop and several bus stops.
I like the fact that there is hotel staff available 24/7. The hotel also has A/C and an elevator.
Enjoy your trip!
I’ve never stayed at a hotel in Paris that wasn’t staffed 24/7. Which ones aren’t?
The Hotel Saint Louis-en-l'Isle has air conditioning. It's in the 4th arrondissement, and you will have everything at your feet, including transportation.
If you want a regular B&B there are precious few of them. Try Alcove and Agape.
Thank you for all of the insight. It has been 15 years since we were in Paris, and this is the end of a September France/Switzerland trip.
We will definitely picnic at the Gardens, but I may have to have a view of the Eiffel for old times sake.
Thanks Susan for the link !
has anyone ever stayed at Hotel Claude Bernard in Paris. We are going in October. We will be in Paris 10 nights. We will have been in Dordogne region for a week. first time in France
Hotel De Empereur on Rue Chevert is very charming, and the restaurant right across the street (I forget the name) is awesome. Beautiful views of Les Invalides and a block from a relatively uncrowded Metro station.
The restaurant is Pasco . We have not eaten there , but stay at L'Empereur when in Paris
