I am trying to decide between two hotels that are within my modest budget and, as these are rather last minute reservations (late October), I am finding that the "pickins' are slim." I made reservations at two hotels that sound decent enough. One is the Hotel Le Home Latin in the Latin Quarter. The other is the Hotel des Arts in Montmartre. The second appears nicer in pictures, has better reviews and is slightly cheaper but, while Montmartre sounds like a nice place to visit for the day, do I want to stay there? The previous time I was in Paris, I stayed in the Latin Quarter and really liked it but, for the reasons I listed, the Hotel des Arts sounds better. And it might be nice to stay in a different place this time.
Posted by
Kansas
1175 posts
I'd vote for the Latin Quarter simply because it's so much closer to most of the heart of Paris. Montmarte, not so cool, kinda trashy really, and Hotel des Arts is not my kind of place. Have you heard of Hotel Hospitel, the top floor of a hospital adjacent to Notre Dame? Check that out.
Posted by
Los Angeles
222 posts
I'm familiar with Paris and while I love Montmartre and the Sacre Coeur, I don't think I'd want to stay there because it's kind of out of the way for many other things I would want to do in Paris. I'd go for the Latin Quarter instead. Just my preference. But definitely visit Montmartre.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10230 posts
I agree, the Latin Quarter makes a better area to stay in.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9420 posts
I would absolutely recommend staying in the Latin Quarter - I really dislike Montmartre - I would be miserable staying there.
Posted by
Lewiston, Idaho, USA
2091 posts
And I also would be uncomfortable in Montmartre...don't know why, I'm just on edge late at night.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
There's nothing wrong with Montmartre except that it's a hike to anything else.
Posted by
Pantego, NC, USA
1014 posts
I agree with Ed. In Paris, nothing is further than the closest bus or Metro stop. We stay in the Montmarte area every summer and love it. Great shopping for my wife and if we want to go elsewhere, bus, here we come. I do not do the Metro. I use an electric scooter and it cannot be gotten down the steps to the Metro, but that is my problem. Others can use Metro and go as they wish. I personally like the bus. You get a tour of Paris for 1.30 Euro per trip.
Posted by
Atlanta, Ga, USA
2023 posts
I agree with others[INVALID]definitely stay in the Latin Quarter[INVALID]close to so many things and it has lots of charm. The "Hospital Hotel" near ND is not cheap. Matter of fact, the rates are higher than Hotel Des Grandes Ecoles which we have stayed at numerous times. The HH sure looks clean though. Have you looked at Hotel Nevers? It is in an old convent and I read on another travel board where someone got it really cheap[INVALID]maybe 65 euros or so.
Posted by
OP
ny/nj
36 posts
As it turns out, we may be out of luck in both locations. I made a resv. on Booking.com for the Monmartre hotel and got a confirmation but I emailed the hotel directly to make sure they got it and, almost predictably,they have no record of it. I will f/u w/Booking.com but I've heard too much of this kind of thing already. As for the Hotel Le Home Latin, I don't know what I was looking at when I booked it but the reviews on Tripadvisor are dreadful (bedbugs and other fun things). I would rather stay in an incovenient place than a filthy one. So I will be canceling that one. I will look into the suggestions that a few of you have given me and report back!.
Posted by
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
24 posts
Emma, I was in Paris this Spring and stayed at the Hotel Michelet Odeon and enjoyed it. It was clean and comfortable and I loved the area. It is right in the square with the Odeon Theater, a very handy walk to the Luxemborg gardens and the Boulevard Saint Germaine. It didn't take very long at all to get to the Louvre from there or Notre Dame and the neighborhood was very pleasant. Prices were reasonable, also. I would definately stay there again.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9420 posts
The area Cyndi talks about is great. I'd look for a hotel in the 4th or 5th arrondissement.
Posted by
San Francisco, CA, USA
19 posts
Hello Emma! I would definitely recommend staying anywhere in Arr 3,4,5 or 6 (if you can afford Arr 7, then that would be even better:). I really liked Montmartre and enjoyed my time there but I wouldn't stay there overnight. My first night in Paris was in Montmartre and it was horrible!! I felt that it was removed from the city. The hotel I stayed at was very inconvenient. I ended up leaving 4 days early (they charged me another night due to this) and transferred to the Marriott Rive Gauche (much, much better accommodation). Look into these websites for other hotel options http://www.budgetplaces.com and http://www.venere.com. Good luck to you and happy travels!
Posted by
OP
ny/nj
36 posts
Thank you all for your responses. I cancelled both of the reservations and booked one at the Hotel-College de France. It is The Latin Quarter near the Pantheon. Its not all that cheap IMO, but I guess it is for Paris. Does anyone know it? It sounds OK (no reports of begbugs - yet) but of course there is that handful of really negative reviews that give one pause. Well...no matter what, its just a few nights and, like most other tourists, I don't plan on spending that much time in my room.