We've been poring over Rick's book and are confused that he says we can find a good room for LESS than we paid in Rome last year -- and yet all but the "backpackers one star" hotels look WAY more expensive than his recommendations for Rome. Party of two adults wanting twin beds, A/C, and we'd really like a B&B atmosphere where we can visit with the hosts & other guests like we did in Florence (B&B Il Bargello -- thanks, Rick!!!). We'd like to stay at the same place for the entire visit, and we'd like to keep the price down to the equivalent of $200/night. Is this impossible? Thanks.
Posted by
OP
Saint Louis, MO, USA
8 posts
Steve, thanks for your recommendation for Leveque. I realize you can't trust everything you read on TripAdvisor, but when multiple people report something (at least, I hope they're multiple people -- these days, it could be one guy masquerading as multiple people) -- I do get nervous. Especially when it relates to a hot-button topic (quiet).
Posted by
OP
Saint Louis, MO, USA
8 posts
Claire & Elaine -- thanks for your suggestions. I'm looking into both of them.
Posted by
OP
Saint Louis, MO, USA
8 posts
I've read several TripAdvisor reports that the Hotel Leveque has paper-thin walls. I'm a light sleeper, so quiet is one of my main concerns. And the Hotel du Champs du Mars doesn't have A/C, which is why we dropped it from consideration. Thanks for the web site to hunt for apartments, which is what we may end up doing. But I'm not ready to give up on finding a B&B where we can have some interaction with others.
Just so you know I'm not impossible to please, in Rome we stayed a Hotel Nerva for 3 nights -- small rooms, tiny bathrooms, but A/C and a nice breakfast and great hosts -- and despite being on a busy street, our rooms were quiet. And as I mentioned in my first post, in Florence we adored B&B Il Bargello -- great breakfasts, great hosts, interaction with travelers in the other 5 rooms, and rooftop terrace. That place may have ruined us for other B&B experiences, but we're not giving up yet!
Posted by
Montpelier
71 posts
For that long a stay, check out a hotel (as mentioned). We used FeelsLikeHomeinParis.com and were very very happy with them. I'd rather go down to the boulangerie on the corner than have breakfast with strangers anyway! In addition to having a kitchen and amenities, we liked staying in a Parisian neighborhood rather than in a tourist spot.
Posted by
Grapevine, TX, USA
875 posts
The Hotel des Grande Ecoles is less than $200/night, and a very nice place & spotlessly clean -- but no A/C. Depending upon when you plan to be there, that could be a non-issue. We stayed in mid-May in 2008 and it was maybe a tad too warm for me, but had we been in a 2nd-floor room, we could have slept with the windows open all night, and it would have been perfect.
It's really a lovely property and very safe. Very close to Luxembourg Gardens and some nice restaurants.
Posted by
Mission Viejo, Calif., USA
1010 posts
My husband and I are in our 60's. We stayed at the Hotel Le Littre, 9 rue Littre, 75006 Paris. We were there for one week last May. This May we are returning to the same hotel for 19 nights. We loved this hotel and its location. We could conveniently walk a lot of places and take the tour buses nearby or the subway. We already paid for our reservation for room 804, with a view of the Tower from our room. We dealt with Laurence Potier, Reservations.
Posted by
Novato, CA, USA
47 posts
We enjoyed the Royal Magda Etoile very much...2 blocks from the Arc and the DeGaulle-Etoile Metro. Very easy to get around from there, nice rooms, great staff.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10605 posts
For the length of time you will be in Paris I recommend an apartment. We paid less for the apartment we rented in Paris than we did for the hotel we stayed in on another trip. We rented a one bedroom in the 5th (Latin Quarter) through vrbo.com. It was perfect for us, and we had much more room and amenities than we had in the Rue Cler hotel we stayed at.
I'm glad to hear you liked B&B Il Bargello. I think that is the place we are staying in Florence next September. Is that the one that Carmel from Boston runs?
Posted by
OP
Saint Louis, MO, USA
8 posts
No, B&B Il Bargello is run by Gabriella (a Canadian expat) and her husband Massamo. They did most of the work on their 3rd floor B&B by themselves -- and did a great job. I simply cannot recommend it highly enough.
Posted by
Keizer, Oregon, USA
588 posts
Look at this hotel:
http://www.hotellouvrebonsenfants.com/english/rates.html
My friend stayed there last year and we are planning to return next year. Great location and they have some special rates if your stay three nights.