Paris: Where to Stay [Hotels]

I have been to Paris three times in my life, at fifteen, seventeen and twenty-three, for a cumulative total of about ten weeks. My first two trips, which were relatively short, were both spent in hotels. If you're staying for just a few days, a hotel offers all the convenience you'll need. Many hotels include breakfast, which, if you're short of time, frees you up to concentrate on sightseeing, not on finding a patisserie.

My first visit to Paris was on a school trip. We stayed in a small hotel directly across from Gare Saint-Lazare, and were strictly instructed not to turn right when leaving the hotel building. Always the type to do as I was told, I never did find out what was to the right of the hotel. I have wracked my brain all morning, but I simply can't remember the name of that hotel. I might never have known it. Since it's been nearly ten years, the hotel may now exist under a different name. As it was nine years ago, I would not have recommended it to anyone. I remember little of it, but my few memories are distinct. The worst, by far, is the memory of dragging my suitcase up five flights of narrow, winding stairs in total darkness. Although there was an elevator on the premises, it could only accomodate one person and one suitcase. A lightbulb on the staircase would have made a world of difference.

Note: If anyone does know the name of the hotel located directly across from the clock statue outside Gare Saint-Lazare, please do let me know.

As part of a school project, I did all the research for my second trip to Paris. My mother, who had never been on the European continent, was my travel companion. We used the website parishotels.com to book a room at Hotel Opéra Lafayette, a three-star establishment with an excellent location, between the Cadet and Poissonière metro stations.

Hotel Opéra Lafayette is average. The rooms were tidy but not particularly spacious; the staff was courteous but generally not friendly. Their breakfast, including croissants, baguettes, cereal, ham, cheese, tea and coffee, was excellent. Strangely enough, however, I would not recommend eating in the hotel restaurant under any circumstances; the food was atrocious considering the prices. The location is exceptional, with the Opéra-Garnier, Galléries-Lafayette and Printemps, as well as several good restaurants within easy walking distance. The regular rate for a double room is 146€ per night; however, currently, you can book a double room online for 88€ per night. I am certain that there are hotels with better price/quality parity in Paris, but if this one does interest you, visit http://www.paris-hotel-operalafayette.com/ for more information.

When I was seventeen, parishotels.com was a fabulously user-friendly website with a veritable plethora of hotel selections in a variety of Paris' arrondissements. It had declined significantly since, so much so that I found it wholly useless in 2008. However, I am perusing the site as I type this, and I must say, the site has made great improvements over the past year. If you are looking for a hotel in Paris, I would highly recommend visiting the site.

Hotels of note at parishotels.com

Hôtel la Villa d'Estrées ♥♥♥♥ (M) Saint-Michel 195€+ 11 rooms

Hôtel Jeanne d'Arc - Le Marais ♥♥ (M) Saint-Paul 62€+ 36 rooms Breakfast available; 7€

Hôtel Splendid Étoile ♥♥♥♥ (M) Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile 210€+

Hôtel Dacia-Luxembourg ♥♥♥ (M) Saint-Michel 95€+ 38 rooms Breakfast available; 11€

Hôtel Tronchet - Grands Magasins ♥♥♥ (M) Madeleine 117€+ 34 rooms Breakfast available; 16€

Hôtel du Levant ♥♥♥ (M) Saint-Michel 73€+ 47 rooms Breakfast included

Hôtel le Régent Montmartre ♥♥ (M) Anvers 42€+ 60 rooms Breakfast available; 7.50€

Hôtel de Lutèce ♥♥♥ (M) Pont-Marie 159€+ 23 rooms Breakfast available; 13€

If you would prefer to search for hotels that with prices in Canadian or US dollars, Expedia and Travelocity are invaluable resources. Although the prices on Expedia are generally slightly better, it's worthwhile to compare reviews and special promotions on both sites. Expedia in particular offers some excellent promotions, particularly if you're booking well ahead of your scheduled stay.

Hotels of note from Expedia

K&K Hotel Cayre ♥♥♥♥ (M) Rue-du-Bac 95% of 67 travellers recommend this hotel

The Five Hotel ♥♥♥ (M) Les Gobelins 95% of 24 travellers recommend this hotel

Monte Carlo ♥♥ (M) Le Peltier 100% of 6 travellers recommend this hotel


Hotels of note from Travelocity

Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel ♥♥♥♥ Rated 4.5 (out of 5) by 29 travellers

Elysée Union Hotel ♥♥♥ Rated 4 (out of 5) by 143 travellers

Grand Hotel Nouvel Opéra ♥♥ Rated 5 (out of 5) by one traveller

If anyone can recommend any hotels in Paris, please do. Be sure to let me know if there are any hotels you absolutely would not recommend- that kind of information is absolutely invaluable to other travellers, and is often entertaining.

If you're planning a lengthy visit to Paris, don't book a hotel just yet; I'll be posting an entry about vacation rentals within the next few days. Until then, happy researching!

Remember: your trip is what you make it, so make it a good one!