I definitely need some recommendations on decent and economical Pensions (or Hotels if nothing else) in Paris,Interlaken,Florence,Venice,Rome.
I will most likely buy a train pass so would prefer something closer to the rail station.
Typical commercial sites (expedia\sykscanner\orbitz) show me some stuff but I have no clue if they are safe\reliable\family-friendly. Moreover all 3* hotels they show seems pretty expensive.
Hi Ram,
Hotels are all pretty expensive for Americans because of the weak dollar [That's good for American exporters, but not so hot for American tourists].
You may find apartments in Paris cost a bit less than hotels... www.vacationinparis.com.
As to Rome, we suggest you go to www.Google.com and click on the WEB header - then type into the search box "Convent tourist rooms, Rome". Those are decent and economical, of course.
We have always found that taxis from the train station to our hotel beats taking a hotel room near the station. Taxis aren't so very expensive in Europe, really.
Can't comment on the other locations except that instead of Interlaken we would try to take rooms at the Schweizerhof Hotel in Grindelwald, a short train ride away from Interlaken (private rail line), instead. Hope yours is a happy and safe trip... P.
I have stayed in a hotel in Paris called Hotel Des Mines. I travelled alone with my 14 yr old son there two years ago, this past June my husband took our next son, now also 14 to the same hotel.
It is clean, very clean, the rooms are small, the location is very good, 15 minutes walk to Notre Dame, 10 minutes to Latin Quarter, and a metro stop just down the block. Plus a small convience store next door. Safe area, nice staff, and an elevator.
Costs between 60-90 euros, I actually paid 60 euros as I went in August which is a slower season then hubby who paid more as they went in June( very high season.
There are lots and lots of cheap( under 100-110 euros) hotels in Paris.Check out some of Ricks own suggestions, all seem pretty decent.
For a first timer I would stay in 5 or 6th arrondissmonts, Rick seems to favor the Eifel tower area, but area south of ET is pretty quiet and out of it,fine for a longer visit, but you only have 3 days.
Ps. Three days in Paris is too short!
PS What do you mean by " family friendly" are you taking a child?
The hotel I suggest is very near to Luxembourg Gardens which is excellant for children.
Paris is very safe, I have travelled there alone ( and I am female) and also alone with only one of my children and I would not feel quite as safe as I would in many many other cities in the world( um, yes even including yours , I am quite close, I am afraid of American gun laws) LOL
You are arriving in Paris, so just take RER into Paris ( cost 8.5 euros each) and either walk from St Michel RER or take metro( ticket 1.3 euros I think) to Luxembourg Metro station and viola you are there.
I would think more then twice before buying a rail pass.
You can try The Hotel Grand Ecoles in Paris & Residence Adler in Rome.
I've stayed at these Two Star Hotels and they were very nice, safe, clean, and employed very nice staffs.
http://www.hotel-grandes-ecoles.com/
http://rome-hotels.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187791-d309953-Reviews-Adler-Rome_Lazio.html
In Interlaken I recommend http://www.sunnydays.ch/e/index.html? . A great B&B just a short walk from the train station and great breakfast.
In Venice http://www.bbalessandra.com/index.php. We've stayed at both places and can highly recommend them.
