Hotel recommendations for Paris

I think Hotel Jeanne d'Arc fits your criteria. AFIK, rates are still reasonable. I stayed there in April 2013. Elevator, rustic charm, convenient to the river, etc. It's very popular, but February might be a slower month. Good luck!

I doubt you'll find anything cheap in the 5th and 6th arrondissements. These are the most expensive areas. Have you taken a look at AirBnB? Sometimes you can find apartments for $50 a night.

The last time I stayed in the Latin Quarter, it was not so expensive. How time changes things! I have put the Jeanne d'Arc on my permanent list. Even if I don't stay there this time, it looks like a winner for another visit (the Marais is my favorite area). Thank you, Swan. Yes, AirBnB definitely has possibilities. And thanks to you too, Sean. I'm still open to other suggestions. . . .

The 5th is definitely not the most expensive area of Paris as Sean wrote. Chani, have you checked out the hotels that Pat often recommends? Hotel Diana, Hotel Saint Pierre, Hotel Eugenie and Hotel College du France.. I stayed at Hotel Marignan a long time ago.. Lived there for a couple months and liked it. The location is great. Someone posted last week in a thread (can't remember which) that they had just stayed there very recently and they recommend it. I looked at their website and I would stay there again. A nice perk is that they have a free washer and dryer (when I was there they were in a large room with lots of drying racks as well) and they have a communal kitchen where you can prepare your own food if you want to. Dumb question but have you checked TA?

I just checked Hotel Marignan's website again, and the price in Feb for a single with an en suite is only 66 euro.. That's an amazingly low price for what you get and for the great location!

Susan, the €66 rate is for a room with a shared shower. For 3-4 days I would take it, but for almost 2 weeks....though maybe it's not worth €20-22/night to have a private shower. Have to think about it. I'm still considering the ensuite at €89 though. The others you mention - and what's listed on TA - are all around €100 or more. Hotel St. Pierre isn't showing availability (or rates) after Dec. 31, yet. A single in December is €91. Except for prices being higher than I had expected, the hotels do look attractive. And after all, it is Paris, so I will try to adjust my attitude. After all, it's still cheaper than London!

I think people on this forum love to be contrarians. The 6th arrondissement IS the most expensive arrondissement in Paris, when it comes to accommodation. http://www.french-property.com/property/paris_ile_de_france/paris/6eme_arrondissement/insight/ Chani I think 89 euro is already a very good bargain for Paris. Anything lower than that gets you a basic room with shared bathrooms (yuck)

Just found these: Hotel du Levant - 5th Arrondissement €85/night (single room with a bathroom) http://www.hoteldulevant.com Lux Hotel Picpus - 12t Arrondissement €62/night (single room with a bathroom) 12th arrondissement.
http://parisluxhotel.com/

Chani, you're right, I saw "Room with toilet" for 66 euro. For a 23 euro savings per night I'd be very tempted.. as long as I have a private toilet I wouldn't mind using a shower that's shared by only two other rooms. But 89 in that neighborhood is still good. Sean, you said the 5th and 6th originally.. I said the 5th was not.. you now respond talking about the 6th. Talk about "contrarian".. lol. And Sean, Chani specifically said the 5th and 6th.. we can all find cheaper in outer arrondissements. It's helpful to read the OP and answer based on their question. (I see now that you altered your answer to include the 5th after I wrote this - you sure are busy looking stuff up on the internet for your answers Sean.. lol) The Helpline is most helpful when people answer based on their personal experience.. not on what they can find on the internet. We can all do that.

That's square meter prices for buying an apartment from 2009. It has nothing to do with the price of an inexpensive hotel. Additionally, other arrondisements are now known as the most expensive in Paris per square meter for buying. Chani, are you buying an apartment or looking for a hotel?

In the past the hostels (HI) all had shared WC and showers. It's something you got used in your youth. @ Chani...Sorry, I can't offer any suggestions as regards to what is available in the 5th and 6th. I only know of places with the max of your price range (89 Euro) with the preferred amenities in the 10th close to Gare du Nord.

Chani, we are staying at the Hotel de l'Esperance in a few weeks; I can let you know how it was. It's in the 5th, I believe it has an elevator, 38 rooms, we have a double with shower for e85 per night. Good reviews on TripAdvisor and some on this RS site have enjoyed too.

a poster in this thread recently wrote: I think people on this forum love to be contrarians. We don't see much autobiographical comment on this forum, but I believe that this poster has looked in a mirror and is commenting on themselves. We usually don't have time for that. We give help, freely, based on our personal experience and knowledge. Not to stir.

Fred - I have gotten over being used to the things I got used to when I was young. Sleeping bags under the stars, shared toilets, hot summer nights without AC are just a few of the things I have outgrown. It was a lark back then, not so much any more.

The Gare de Lyon area has lots of hotels. The Marais and river are nearby.

Contrarian: somebody who disagrees with me when I'm dead wrong and have no idea what I'm talking about.

This has turned into such a fun thread. Keep it coming, I'm lovin' it. A few weeks ago someone started a thread "is travel an obsession" - I think Paris must be my obsession. 2 weeks ago I hadn't even thought about going, now I am ready to brave the inclement weather, pay too much for a tiny hotel room and I'm more excited about 12 days in Paris (for the xxth time - stopped counting a while back) than the 2 weeks in the Canadian Rockies and Vancouver Island and the 3 weeks in Turkey (including my very first RS tour) that come before it.

Chani have you taken a look at Hotel Du Levant mentioned above? It's in the 5th arrondissement and at €85/night Pension Residence du Palais is in the 6th Arrondissement at €65/night

Point taken. I avoided in my youth sleeping under the stars in Europe, had to be in a hostel.