accomodations in Paris

You will get more responses by checking this hotel on TripAdvisor.

I haven't stayed there myself but I checked it out when I was planning my France trip in 2012. Reviews on both TA and booking.com were mediocre at best, mostly poor to fair. I passed.

I have never seen such a bad rating on tripadivsor.. 26% give it a thumbs up.. reviews list it as "dirty and disgusting" . I looked at the photos taken by those who have stayed there. I don't mind basic,, I tend to stay in basic places.. but there did seem to be alot of shots of moldy areas , stains and leaks through paint.. and worst to me was the pathetic door locks ( one was a hook and eye ) ..

The area however is GREAT .. so.. if you are really broke, and don't mind the scuzziness .. then guess you will survive. In defence of hostels.. I have seen cleaner more modern hostels.. however this does give you privacy.

Use TripAdvisor.com to find a good place or ask Pat (above) for her great list of recs!

Thanks to all And Pat if you would not mind sending me your list that would be great. I am finding Paris difficult to find accomodations We use airbnb for London but not much luck with Paris
Thanks Caroline

Thanks to all And Pat if you would not mind sending me your list that would be great. I am finding Paris difficult to find accomodations We use airbnb for London but not much luck with Paris
Thanks Caroline

Hi Carol.. I am no expert,, and I don't have an proper list.. but I have stayed at 13-15 places in Paris over last decade or so.. some multiple times. All were clean. All were well located. Most were two stars but a few three stars when splitting costs with travel companions or when I took my kids. All had a/c since I always go in the summer, most had mini fridge since I like to stock up on snacks and drinks for cheap . Most had very small rooms, but two of my 3 star choices had what we would consider moderately sized rooms.
Some have raised their prices over the years and are no longer as budget friendly as when I first stayed in them ..

I can see by your considering the Hotel Le Petit Trianon that you seem to be looking for a very inexpensive place. I usually aim for about 90-120 euros a night.. but have paid as little as 60.. ( that hotel has since raised its prices though!)

I don't think I can recommend from personal experience a hotel in your price range , 75 dollars is less then 50 euros . And when is trip? Some hotels offer deals in August ..

I can however suggest you look at this hotel... its well reviewed in terms of location and being clean, and I have read reviews of it on other forums .. and posts by those who have stayed there that seem satisified.

Hotel Marignan. It has lo, mid and high season rates.. but it may still be too expensive for you,, think rates start at 60 euros for a single.. 75 or so for doubles..

My favorite budget hotel in Paris right now ( am staying there again for a night while waiting for my apartment ) is Hotel St Pierre near the Sorbonne.. but its 100 euros a night. I love the location, the hotel is clean and well run, staff are helpful, close to all transport options and the river ,, rooms are small but good enough etc. No fridge at this hotel though.. bummer.

I am going to suggest you branch out and look in some outer areas.. still in good areas.. but not heart of Paris.. the 14th is a nice area.. I have stayed there (Hotel Royal,, not cheap choice was with my dd) and have had friends rent apartment in the area and they loved it.
If you are young or young at heart the lively areas of Bastille may have some less expensive choices too .

Finally do not totally discount the idea of staying in a hostel.. some have private rooms.. young girl I worked with stayed with St Christophers and the MIJE hostel is very popular too.

Thanks Pat I booked St. Christophers for April 12-16 356 eur for 2
Thanks Carol

Great Carol.. which St Christophers the one by the Canal or the one by Gare Du Nord?

Hi Pat I booked the Gard du Nord location the other did not have availabliity. Can you rd ommend Cheaper ways to see the sites and travel around Paris?
Thanks Carol,

Carol.. well as for travelling around.. I walk alot! But you can purchase a carnet of tickets for 13.70 euros. A carnet is simply ten loose one way tickets good for bus or metro within city... they are normally 1.70 euros each but a carnet gives the discount for the bulk purchase. I find one carnet lasts me 4-5 days.. since I would usually choose one area to tour around each day and walk from sight to sight.
I have heard ST Christophers by Gare du Nord is pretty new.. love to hear back from you on it. The area is a bit gritty,, but safe enough and the bonus is there are some cheaper places to eat around there.

I save money by eating street food for lunch usually, meaning a sandwich or crepe from a street kiosk,, or a bakery visit for sandwich or quiche or pizza slice etc.. I pick up a coke at a corner grocers for one euro instead of sitting at a cafe and ordering a 4 euro coke..
I do still visit cafes etc.. but if I order a meal .. I will order TAP water instead of bottled ( you should not sit at a cafe table and ask for tap water unless ordering something else of course) . Tap water is free and tastes very good.. "une carafe d'eau si vous plat". .
If wanting a restaurant meal do it at lunch. Often cheaper then dinner and just as good.
If you sit at a cafe with a view.. its going to cost more.. so find one off on side street. LOOK at menu prices before you sit down, by law all establisments must display prices outside. If you see two prices for coffees.. the cheaper one is if you take your coffee /drink STANDING up a the bar.. if you sit down , especially outside "terasse" it can cost more.. inside is often listed as "salle" price.

Museum passes CAN work out economically .. but it depends on what you wish to see.. I find it works out cheaper if you wish to see at least 2-3 sights a day.. make a list of places you want to see.. and compare prices to pass cost ( based on a 2 , 4 or 6 day pass)
If you only want to see a few places don't bother.

If you are under 26 some places offer discounts certain days/times.. think Louvre offers a friday night special.. check it out.

Thanks a ton Pat its great to have access to such valuable advice! I Really appreciate the help. I bought pop ou containers and plan to picnic and use the markets. I did the same in New York and it was great. The street delis are often more than enough food and it is delicious!

Hi Carol, when you are in Paris look for the Monoprix stores - they are a combo discount clothing/grocery store (kind of like a mini-Target in the US) The grocery section usually has pre made salads and sandwiches - my husband and I popped in there several mornings to get yogurt for breakfast and to pick up lunch! Saved lots of money on food this way:)

I found on this travel forum back in 2007 a small but great rental company called Victoria Homes Paris. It's a risk to give anyone your CC but it was the best find ever in Paris. I've stayed in 5 different apartments of her's for the past years. All of them had a local decor in nice neighborhoods. If there is any problem, she is right there. They will meet you at the door with your keys and give you some directions about the apartment and area. The last time I booked I didn't even ask where the apartment was. She picked me up at the airport, dropped me off at the place (near the Eiffel tower) and gave me a tour of the apartment. That's trust! Book her early... she has lots of clients.