Where to stay in Paris that won’t cost me my first born child!

When are you traveling?

I'm staying at Muguet the end of September and honestly their rates were better than some of the others in the area. I sometimes stay at Hotel Beaugency on Rue Duvivier because it is usually cheaper than Muguet but for this fall their rates were higher than Muguet for my time frame. I booked in February for Sept/Oct.

I stayed at Beaugency last October and I felt like it was a little tired. Bleach spots on the carpet, same decorative pillows from 2014 when I first stayed there although after Covid they swapped out the dreadful ultrasuede bedspreads for duvets with covers they can wash after every guest. It was clean and staff was very nice as always but it just needs a complete re-do of the interiors.

To me prices everywhere in Paris increased drastically last year for the Olympics, then came down some but not as far down to the 2023 rates.

Do you have to stay someplace in that same area or are you willing to stay in another part of town? What is your budget?

What months are you traveling?

Hello,
I agree, prices have gone up SKY HIGH in Paris, 2- and 3-star hotels are charging what 4/5-star hotels used to, even apartments are extremely expensive, but they know they can get it so that's what it is. Read the reviews carefully, I always start with the most recent then the lowest rated to get a truer picture. Cross reference Booking.com reviews with reviews on Expedia, Hotels.com, and Trip Advisor (although anyone can review there without actually staying.) I have seen some in the 11th and 12th arrondissments that are less expensive.

I can usually stay in the 1st for half what they're asking. Although I did pay a bit more two weeks ago due to the season.

Prices have increased since COVID, and the Olympics didn't help.

I stayed in 3 different hotels in Paris in June and July, all 2 star, all in Paris Nord, all en suite.

The most expensive charged 153 Euro per night (pretty stiff for a 2 star), one hotel charged 72 Euro while the third charged me 85 Euro for large spacious room.

These 2 cheaper hotels had no AC , didn't matter anyway since I don't need it but the room was equipped with a fan, which I did not use.

The hotel room at 153 Euro did have AC.

We were very pleased with the Holiday Inn Express, Canal de la Villette. It's in more of a residential neighborhood that felt safe for my friend and I, two older ladies. There are good restaurants across the street and just around the corner. The Metro stop is 2 blocks away. I just checked for September and the prices varied by date, ranging from about 140-250 in a room for 2 people. With a bit of scrolling on their website you can find a screen that shows the price on various dates for your selected month, and another screen that shows the price of their other IHG properties for your specific dates.
Good luck!

https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/gb/en/paris/parlv/hoteldetail?cm_mmc=GoogleMaps-_-EX-_-FR-_-PARLV

Hotel and restaurant prices have risen significantly over the last two years in Paris and due to dynamic pricing, hotel costs swing wildly with demand. The upcoming months of September and October are particularly expensive.

I cannot offer any specific suggestions with budget guidance but there are still some values if you look in the 14th arrondissement, the Marais, and the Oberkampf areas.

Phrases like “Sky High “ only tell us that you feel it is too high. Giving specific budget information would really help. One person’s “Sky high” is another person’s bargain.

I expect that hotels with cost more in Paris. We are staying at Hotel le Regent in a few weeks. Cost is €180 a night but location and reviews are good. I’ll leave a review after my trip.

It also might make a difference if you can change your dates by a week. We are going to Paris in September. I initially was going to go one week later, but something must be going on because hotel prices were 3X's the price I'm paying one week before our desired date. We will be staying at Hotel Muguet.

Linda, thanks for that Holiday Inn Express tip near Canal de la Villette -- going on my list!

lyricschipper,
We still haven't heard from you about when you are traveling. Different months can yield quite different prices. And a price range you are looking for would be helpful.

I often stay in the 13th, 14th or 15th. Much more affordable both for housing and food as it's not as "tourist" oriented. Still lots of tourists but...

You're welcome, Christine. If you ever do end up staying there, don't miss eating at Paname Brewing, just over the bridge. Casual place, but reservation recommend in the evenings. I still dream about their fig pizza and craft beer.

We’re traveling to Paris in June (timing dictated by a Loire Valley, Brittany, and Normandy tour we’ll be joining following our independent visit to the city) and I was appalled by how high the prices are, 10 months out! Not quite double for something comparable to the lovely 3 star boutique hotel in Campo de Fiori in Rome in 2024……but close. Of course the worsening exchange rate doesn’t help matters. I’ve selected a hotel with higher Booking/TA reviews in a neighborhood that wasn’t among my top choices (Latin Quarter) over places with mixed reviews in the neighborhoods I initially wanted. Even switching neighborhoods I’m still paying more than I ever paid for a hotel room. I’ve found that as I get older I’m not as willing to forgo comfort in order to economize….and this time I’ll be paying quite a bit more than usual for my standard 3 star level of comfort!

I stayed in the 14th on my last visit on the edge of Batignolles near Montmartre and I enjoyed it. I was just starting to think of returning to this same location. I'm a walker and loved the parks and the street market and neighborhoods. Both hotels I stayed in were very close to Place du Clichy so easy Metro use, but on a quiet street. Both are reasonable prices, IMO. I was on an RS tour this time so I stayed across from the RS hotel before joining the tour. I like being in more of a neighborhood, which this was. Yet restaurants galore, etc. at the end of the street near Clichy and a laundromat and boulangerie at the other end of the street/block, along with many other useful shops. The first hotel was 3* Hotel Rendez Vous Batignolles. I found it really pleasant as it was an older building with some character but nice, simple, clean decor, old parquet floors and a well done, non gaudy bathroom. It had the BEST mattress and linens of the entire trip. The other hotel was a 4* Hotel B Montmartre, which was modern, had an interior garden, a restaurant and was very decorated. It was fine. It just depends what you want, of course. I'd stay at either one, but I lean toward Rendez Vous Bat... because it was more intimate and the desk people were lovely and chatty...with my French, and again the 'not overdone' decor and the BED were more up my alley. The only caveat is the 3* appears to be nonrefundable now, where as this year it was not....just means I'd get trip insurance. So that's my two cents.

Addendum: Although I will also admit to still be considering the Muguet, which Pam suggested to me a while back. I have stayed in that neighborhood 25 years ago and it has its pros and cons.

We are going in late September/October.

lyricschipper,
Thank you for getting back. You might want to know that you are going to be in Paris during its most expensive time of year for lodgings Paris fashion week(s) and numerous conventions and business activities are going on then. Hotel rooms are scarce, and that drives up the price of lodging. I would definitely look for something a bit away from the center, the 13th, 14th or 15th. Or change to later October/November. Best of luck!

OP came back but completely ignored the request for budget information. Not much can be done to help.

We stayed near the Place d’Italie in the 13th at the Ibis. I liked the price and there was good transportation links with 2 Metro stations and plenty of buses

lyricschipper,
When was the last time you stayed in Paris? Do you have a price range in mind? Affordable can mean different things to different people. People here can make better suggestions if we have some idea of what you expect cost-wise.

Thanks!

I was last in Paris in March of 2015. We stayed at Hotel Muget. We liked the area as it was close to the Tower & everything else we wanted to visit. Public transportation was very convenient. I’d like to stay at a place for around $200/night or less. I realize we can’t stay at Muget with the rise in prices. We will go in September or October this year.

I don’t know what 13th, 14th, 15th are. Can someone explain that?

13th, 14th, and 15th refers to the administrative district or arrondissement. Paris is divided into 20 of them. You can google a map to see where each is located.

Here is what I suggest. Go to Booking.com and put in “Paris” and your preferred dates. Hit search. Now you will see a slider on the left hand column where you can set your maximum price. Set that and a new list will come up. Hit the “show on map” button and the location and price will show up on a map. Find a location and price that you like and double click. The hotel listing will appear along with an overall rating and links to reviews. Use this information to choose a hotel.

You have left this a bit late, but I think you can still find some good choices.

Carol, if the OP doesn’t even know what the arrondissements are, I’m guessing she isn’t going to know a good location on a map of the city.

For a very basic clean hotel in what I think is a great location check out https://www.hotel-marignan.com/
We stayed at a last minute when most hotels were booked up. It was around the corner from my favorite bakery La Maison d'Isabelle.

I just did search on booking.com with a cap of $200 per night for the end of September and found 12 places so I urge you hurry and book something because, as noted by others, Paris is very busy in September and it looks like you plan to be there during Fashion Week. Take a look at Hotel Familia on Rue des Ecoles in the 5th arrondissement. I hope that you are okay with staying in a different area for this trip because availability in your preferred area in the 7th for under $200 per night during your time frame is highly unlikely.

"We will go in September or October this year." Does this mean that you don't have your flights, yet? If so, you might aim for October to have better choices in hotels. I would definitely work on getting those flights soon, though. My best to you.

We mostly travel standby as my husband was an airline employee. For this reason we watch the flight availability when planning our trips.

If possible, don't travel until mid-October or early November. Hotel prices may be more reasonable by then. Your options will improve greatly. I understand the standby issue though.

Additionally, you can't really compare prices from ten years ago with today's prices.

We mostly travel standby as my husband was an airline employee.

You have a dilemma. Hotels for this time period can virtually sell out. If you put off making a reservation, you may not be able to find anything within your budget window. If, as standbys, you are not sure when you will be in Paris, it will be difficult to commit to hotel reservations. September is the one month I would not attempt to visit Paris on-the-fly.

If you have not attempted previously to find hotels in Paris last minute during September, you might be very surprised at how difficult it can be.

Thank you for all your good suggestions. We will postpone until October now that we know about “fashion week.” Not a problem to postpone. I like the suggestion of checking on Booking.com, excellent idea. I have done that for Italy, don’t know why I didn’t think of that. I guess I just went straight to Hotel Muget because we had such a good experience with them after Rick’s suggestion the last time. Thank you all!

What occurs in Paris during the months of September and October is not limited to a one time fashion week event. There are an array of exhibitions, trade shows, and conventions; not to mention that business activity itself starts up again after the month long August summer vacation.

However, delaying your vacation to the end of October is probably a very workable strategy.

I might use a consolidator for research, but I prefer to actually book my room directly with a hotel. I would not trade a rock-bottom promotional price for losing any leverage over a horrible room .... "I am sorry Madame, that is the only room available at this time." You want to have a relationship with the hotel, not with VinnieLocity. And if the airline changes your departure day, you want to be able to call the hotel, not be stuck doing ALL business with the consolidator where you did the transaction.

Hotel International near Goncourt metro. Good memories of that place.