Hi, I am studying abroad for the semester in Barcelona. 6 of my friends and I would like to go to Paris for a few nights during March 27-30 (ish). We would like to find a low budget, safe place to stay that has a good location for 7 people (6 girls, 1 boy). 20 euros a night would be wonderful, lower even better.
All the hostels we have found have had such bipolar reviews we aren't sure which to choose. Any suggestions?
Most hostel websites will give some sort of percentage ranking or 1-10 rating which should be a good indication as to the weight of opinion. I also check to see comments like "good party place" and I stay away from those! ;) Usually, I find those that have a low ranking for hostal "excitement" are usually quieter places to stay.
You may also want to consider inexpensive hotels. For a smaller sized dorm room in Paris, you'll probably pay 20-25 Euro per person. That'll be 140-175 Euro for all of you, per night. For 150 Euro/night (22 Euro/night/person), you could book three rooms at Accor's Etap hotel in north Paris. It's about a 20 minute Metro ride to the center of the city, but you'd have a nice hotel to come back to, with en-suite bathrooms. We've stayed in apartments in this area, and have found it to be a great place to stay. Another option would be Accor's slightly-higher standard Ibis hotel near Gare du Nord....closer to the center of the city, for about 195 Euro/night for three rooms (about 28 Euro pp, per night.) You are allowed 3 adults in each room, so you could even invite another couple of friends along, which would help reduce per person prices.
Someone else on the Helpline recommended this hostel which you may want to check out, it sounds really good. www.mije.com/index_individuels_uk.asp
I agree with Norm on the Pt Montmartre Etap having stayed there a few times. Handy as heck. Plus you can squish three into a room (one price for one person, second price for either two or three people). Bed configuration is a single bunk crosswise over the pillow area of a lower double. Where you stack luggage for three people might be problematic. Speaking of luggage, not all hostels have secure spots for leaving it during the day, with a hotel you can leave it in your room.
There are three MIJE hostels. All are centrally located in the Marais and each is a renovated 17th-century private mansion. Rick Steves calls them "the best budget accommodations in Paris." I've stayed in Fourcy and was very well pleased.
Another hostel that gets consistently good reviews is Le Village Hostel in Montmartre.
If you are more than one person, and especially since there are 6 of you, consider looking into budget hotels, they are often cheaper per night.
Hostels in Paris are my least favorite of anywhere I've been in Europe (except for Milan, which only has one option), they are expensive because of the supply vs. demand for Paris and are often basic and dirty.
My suggestion is to check the budget hotels on Hostelworld, and try to aim for a place that has an 80%+ rating. Avoid anything below 60%. You can generally find decent places in the 18th.
I have used the Etap on Rue Dr. Babinski. Decent hotel, for the price and it is ensuite. Rates run around 62 Euro per night (could be 3 Euro either way, depending on week)for 3 persons. That comes to around 21 Euro each. It is a 10 minute walk to bus, 15 minute walk to Metro.
