AIJ Hostel in Paris?

[nicolew79]

I (like everyone it seems) have no idea where to start looking for hostels. One that I saw was the Auberge Internationale des Jeunes hostel (it was on the inside of the Let's Go 2003 Western Europe Guide. The webiste is www.aijparis.com/framea.htm

Has anyone stayed here? Any thoughts? (or other suggestions?) We're looking to spend no more than $20 per night on a hostel or possibly finding a cheap hotel for around $50/room because there is two of us.

[Kim]

There are many hotels for around $50 in Paris (US, right?), I was surprised to see how many budget rooms there actually was, didn't expect it.

Take a look at some of the hostels in Paris that have been reviewed on my site:

members.shaw.ca/guideforeurope/francehostels.html

I'll make you a list of some budget hotels that I've heard are good when I get home (at work now)

Kim

[monique]

I stayed at AIJ on my first trip to Europe in 1999. I stayed in a quad with it's own bathroom on one of the higher floors. It was immaculately clean. I have heard stories of loud school groups and that there are sometimes shower pressure/temperature problems. I have Let's Go Paris 2003 and AIJ is not in there anymore. Was it an advertisement you saw, or a review?

I'm staying at a really cheap hotel on the Ile de Cite next week, Hotel Henri IV. It's costing €25 per night (not per person) plus the cost of using the shower down the hall. Let's Go gives it a thumbs up, so we'll see!! I'll post back later with the verdict.

[nicolew79]

Thanks to Kim and Monique, really appreciate the help. As for where I saw it, yeah, it was an ad (inside front cover). I'm actually overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices, so since everyone on the board seems to be friendly, knowledgeable and independent, I thought I might just take you guys advice.

I have to find accomodations in Paris, Rome, Venice, Florence, Seville (or elsewhere in Spain) and London. As soon as I think there's a budget place to stay (under $20) it turns out to have raised the rates or gets truly awful reviews from someone.

Looking forward to seeing some of the ideas, and I'll check out that website when I get home (also at work ). And definately looking forward to hearing your review when you get back Monique.

thanks to all!!!

[monique]

You'll find London and Venice to be more expensive than the rest. But I think you'll do fine with the 20Euro average. If you stay at the place I'm staying in Paris , you can save some money there, too.

[Kim]

Moique-I've heard good things about Henry IV hotel.
Apparently room #1 has a view of the square if you want to ask for that one.

Nicole, here are some other places for you to look into-haven't stayed in any of them so you may want to research them.

Friend's Hostel
Double room, shared facilities = 40 Euros
reservations.bookhostels.com/guideforeurope.com/hostel.php?HostelNumber=2431

Hotel Véronèse
Double room, shared facilities = 43 Euros
reservations.bookhostels.com/guideforeurope.com/hostel.php?HostelNumber=3213

Le Village Hostel
Double room, private facilities = 50 Euros
reservations.bookhostels.com/guideforeurope.com/hostel.php?HostelNumber=606

Reviews on my site about Le Village say:

"We stayed in a 5 bed room with private facilities and found it to be excellent. The room was small, but clean and more than enough for busy tourists. The only disappointment is the showers which only let water run for 10 seconds- it was an idiosyncracy we had down to a fine art after 4 nights! This is made up for by the exquisite breakfast of baguettes and jam and the *best* hot chocolate ever! All in all, the hostel has a fantastic atmosphere (complete with resident cat!) as does the entire area and I would stay there again in a flash. :

"Clean, nice, great view, kind staff, AWESOME breakfast of bread and jelly and tea and cocoa. I loved french bread. In the view of montmartre."

Good sites to look at for budget hotels in Paris are:
www.anamericaninparis.com/hotels.html
www.eurocheapo.com

Kim

[monique]

Actually, the room we're booked is so cheap because it doesn't have a view (it has a window, but it must look into a courtyard or at another building). When I reserved two months ago, that was the only room they had left! I couldn't believe it was already booked 2 months in advance during the off-season! Can't be that bad then, can it?

[nitsansh]

Why are you surprised?
Everyone that looks for a low-end hotel in Paris put Henry IV on top of their list. All the budget guide books recommend it. A double room for 25 Euro in the very center of Paris? It looks too good to be true, but it IS true... I wonder who is the strange owner that keep the fare low... is he/she an angel?

[nicolew79]

Thanks for the great Paris tips, as always, you guys are great! Does anyone have the contact info (website) for the Henry VI?

[monique]

Henri IV has no website or email. You have to call to reserve, and you have to send them Euros for the first night's deposit (they don't take credit cards even just to reserve the room). Check Let's Go for the phone number.

[nitsansh]

This is typical to favorite budget hotels... they don't advertize, they don't need E-mail, they don't take credit cards... probably they don't even have a computer and make the bookings by pen and paper... the old way of making business - contact by phone and pay in cash - is the cheapest... just keep the place clean and tidy, keep the price low, and the location and guide books will make sure customers will keep coming...

The # to call is 331-43544453 (from outside France)

[nitsansh]

Really strange that Let's go ommitted AIJ... perhaps it no longer exist?
In the Rough Guide to Europe 2002, I found this about it:
"Despite the official-sounding name, this is a laid back (but very noisy) independent hostel in a great location 5 min walk from the Bastille. Clean and professionally run with 24hr reception, generous breakfast and free luggage storage".
Sounds good to me, and if the noise level is bearable, there's no problem... the party-hostel type will like one of those hostels that you can easily guess from their name it's a party house...

[kostoula4]

AIJ still exists. I tried booking a room with them for a few days in April, but they don't take reservations (according to the guy who answered the phone).

Everything I've read about the hostel sounds great. Check out www.bugeurope.com hostel reviews. there are about 7 people who provide pretty detailed reviews of their stay there.

-kostoula

[nitsansh]

There's no review on AIJ in BugEurope. You are probably mistaking Auberge INTERNATIONAL des Jeunes with Auberge de Jeunesse Jules Ferry, the HI-affiliated hostel in the 11e.

[monique]

My advice is to skip Hotel Henri IV unless you are on a very tight budget. I stayed one night and checked out to stay somewhere nicer. It is certainly still a deal because they have 25Euro doubles, but you get what you pay for.