Hi,
We are going to be in Paris for two nights (three days) at the end of May. We are on a tight (like student!) budget, so I was looking at the Formula 1 (Ibis) hotels. I found one in the 19th arr. I'm not sure about it - and all of the Rick Steves hotel choices have either gone way up (from the book I'm looking at) or are already booked. Does anyone have any suggestions of inexpensive places to stay? Or has anyone stayed at one of the Formula 1 hotels? Thanks.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9423 posts
Also check out mije.com Good reviews on TripAdvisor and I've heard good things about it from people who've stayed there - I never have though. It's a hostel, but a very nice one. They have 3 locations in the heart of Paris. Can you tell us what your budget is?
Posted by
Pacific NW, USA
328 posts
You might want to take a look at these apartments. We have not stayed there but they were on our short list. http://www.bluemarble.org/Apartments.html
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
Accor are retiring the Formule 1 brand and replacing it with Ibis Budget, so check those as well. I haven't stayed at one in France but I stayed at one in Berlin recently and it was basic but perfectly good value. Foam pad rather than a sprung mattress on the bed but still comfortable to sleep on. And the shower cubicle was unexpectedly large for the price.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10208 posts
Lots of students stay in the Formula 1 hotels. The Etape Hotels are one step up and are getting a name chage to Ibis Budget. I was unaware that Formula 1 is also under the same name now.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
For other ideas, look at http://www.eurocheapo.com/paris/. This also has descriptions of neighborhoods (helpful if you're considering a hotel or apartment not listed on that site).
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4051 posts
The former Etap hotels are a good buy for budget accommodations, although resolutely lacking in charm. The rooms include separate all-one-piece capsules for toilet and shower. There's a main bed, with a single bunk above it. Clothes are hung from the bottom of the bunk. The secret is that they are very easy to clean, keeping maintenance costs down. The only one of the Etaps that qualifies as being in central Paris is now called Hotel Ibis Paris Budget La Villette. It is on the way to the Villette sciwnce park but within the ring road that informally marks the boundry of central Paris. http://www.ibis.com/gb/hotel-4982-ibis-budget-paris-la-villette-19eme-ex-etap-hotel/index.shtml
It's big, has parking, and is a couple of blocks walk to the Metro. It's also near the Canal St-Martin, which has become a popular bistrot-and-artistes stroll. At the end of May they show rates from $75 to $85 US. So you save money, at the cost of a longer Metro ride into the downtown.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Kristie no one else has mentioned this but I will, its not the best area in Paris( the 19th) , a bit "gritty",, I would look elsewhere myself unless you consider yourself pretty confident and wont' feel intimidated easily. Some parts are better then others, but some are rather sketchy,, do you know how to tell which is which? Why not stay in a hostel, they have double rooms, the St Christophers is by Canal St Martin, sort of a up and coming back area, lol, girls from my work stayed there two years ago and thought it was fine( they are young like you! ) Also, I don't know your budget or when you are going but here are a few other places to look at, all in pretty good areas, some in great ones! Hotel Diana Hotel Marignan- this is a good area and they have some rooms with shared bathrooms for pretty cheap. Hotel Saint Peirre by the Sorbonne ( best location) , rooms small, I have had rooms there for 78 euros, but think that was a special rate.