Paris Paris Paris

[JessfromOz]

I know Paris is the subject of many threads but after reading the last 6 pages I still can’t seem to make a decision on where to stay! Me and a friend are planning to stay in paris early August for 3 nights. As well as doing all the touristy things we are also keen to hit the ‘party’scene (we are both 19)! I have looked at loads of hotels but don’t really know which one to choose.. these are some of the ones im considering
Hotel Armstrong
Absolute Paris Hotel
Mary’s Hotel
Hotel Ibis
Hotel Des Arts

Or do you think we are better off staying in a hostel type accommodation so we meet more people….?
We are open to all and any suggestions!

[CuriousToronto]

I'm not familiar with the hotels you posted about. But looking at the websites and knowing what I know about Paris here is what I can tell you:

Hotel Armstrong - I saw you would be staying under the Aug. special prices. They are not bad. BUT I would suggest not staying here. First of all it's an unholy distance away from most things. Not really wakable. It's also located near several "portes." And as a general rule you should stay away from the portes. They often have shadier areas that are not so pleasant for tourists. That's not to say all areas near portes are bad -- not at all!! But you would have to know exactly where you were staying.

Absolute -- You're doing a little better here location wise. At least you're more central. The place looks a little funky. The only thing I would caution you against is that the area around Republique can get shady at night. Maybe not something you want to subject your two young, female selves to! Also, the Metros in the area tend to be my most hated ones. As with most metros in Paris you walk a ton (within the station) to change lines. For some reason, in my experience, Republique (the station you are near) has hallways that are often completely isolated. It's not so safe feeling. Someone could jump you and no one else would be around.
One bonus for this hotel is that you are located near the Canal St. Martin - an increasingly yuppy and popular part of Paris.

Mary's -- You're getting close to the suburbs again and out of the way places. Sure the cementary is right there but not much else. Don't stay here. Makes no sense.

Hotel Ibis -- There's more than one. Don't know to which one you are refering. I'm guessing it's the one near Republique though (you seem to have a prediliction for that area). Same comments apply as above.

Hotel des Arts -- Here you would be situated near Abesses - and if you have to stay somewhere in the 18th this is the area to do it in. Having said that the 18th can generally be SERIOUSLY sketchy!!! If you're Parisian or are familiar with this place you're generally okay. But being young and two females the opportunities for getting into trouble are too great. It's also really far away from most things! But then again some people love Montmartre . . .

It seems to me your budget is not tiny so I have NO idea why you're choosing the places you have listed. Doesn't make sense - for that money you can get something nicer, more central, and safer.

In the range of prices you listed you could consider:

Hotel du Champ de Mars (Right near the Eiffel tower - fantastic location):
www.hotel-du-champ-de-mars.com/

Port-Royal Hotel ( in the 5th - great location - doubles said to be about 60E)
8, Bv de Port-Royal
75005
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Metro: Gobelins

Hotel du Bresil (in the 5th by the Pantheon)
www.hoteldubresil.fr

Hotel Saint Pierre (in the 6th near the Sorbonne)
www.france-hotel-guide.com/h75006saint_pierre.htm

Hotel de Nesle Paris (in the 6th - definitely funky):
www.hoteldenesleparis.com

Also, there is the Port Royal Hotel I recommended in another nearby post.

And for a hotel alternative you could stay in the following ppension. I have known several people who loved it so much they stayed there instead of getting an apartment in Paris -- this despite the fact they were here longterm. Also, can I mention that the location can ABSOLUTELY NOT BE BEAT!!!!! It's in the 6th right beside one of the gates to the Luxembourg Gardens. You're also right off Rue Vavin with great bakeries, stores, a brilliant little crepe place, and Amorino's gelato. This is definitely a choice spot. Places here can be hard to find. Email the owner for info (doubles - last I heard - were at 60E/night):

www.pension-marronniers.com/

If full the owner will often send you to another pension in the same building. Supposed to be not as nice but still great (about same price).

DISCLAIMER: I can't say I've stayed at these places. I have done a ton of research though and talked to lots of peeps out here. Also, I know someone who is a writer here in Paris. She works for several expat publications. One of her main jobs is to review budget places in the city. These hotels come mostly from her lists of tried and true recomendations.


Cheers!

[jessaussie]

CT,
Thanks heaps for all your information i really appreciate it! As you can tell i really don't have a clue what im looking for as it is my first time travelling but i will now look into the places you suggested and hopefully finally make a decision!

[gougeAway]

I've stayed at Absolute. I liked it - but it really wasn't a party hostel. No really big rooms. I think 4 beds was the most. There's some grocery stores nearby, and a mc donald's across the street if that interests you at all.

[SantaKlaus]

curioustoronto said:

Mary's -- You're getting close to the suburbs again and out of the way places. Sure the cementary is right there but not much else. Don't stay here. Makes no sense.

Not true IMHO. I stayed there in May. Sure, it´s not really in the city center but the metro is just a few metres away - you´ll be downtown in 10 minutes. Besides, Rue Oberkampf (where Mary´s is located) became one of the hippest nightlife areas during the last years, or at least so say the guidebooks. We were travelling with a baby, hence not able to check that out. The hotel itself is about as hot as a fridge, but it´s cheap, quiet, fairly clean and you´ll have everything nearby.

[SantaKlaus]

JessfromOz said:

I know Paris is the subject of many threads

because it´s the capital of bad hostels. In Paris you´ll find a mind-boggling range of badly managed, overpriced and unfriendly shitholes.

[LHR02]

Don't hold back Santa....tell us what you really think. ;D

[me]

Klaus is a Hostelier (is there such a word, or did i just create it? spell check didn't like it) so he has strong opinions; No?

dustoffmom said:

Don't hold back Santa....tell us what you really think. ;D

[LHR02]

Yet like any traveller he is entitled to his opinion does he not David? I was just making what I hoped to be a light hearted remark about his post. Don't take everything so darn seriously...eh? It will make you old before your time, trust me!

[me]

dustoffmom said:

It will make you old before your time, trust me!

so that's why i've got all this grey in my beard ;D

[LHR02]

hmmmm....maybe you DO have a sense of humor after all?

[me]

oh, i have my moments.

dustoffmom said:

hmmmm....maybe you DO have a sense of humor after all?

[SantaKlaus]

me said:

Klaus is a Hostelier (is there such a word, or did i just create it? spell check didn't like it) so he has strong opinions; No?

dustoffmom said:

Don't hold back Santa....tell us what you really think. ;D

Well, yes. I work in a hostel. So what?

Paris IS full fo shitholes, and they make truckloads of cash with it, by the way. They´re all complete cynics there. Sort of like some of the dentists I had.

I´m calm, I´m calm, I´m completely calm...

I think I need an ego-shooter now, or a punch-ball ;D

[me]

as you're in the industry, you have higher standards. that's what i was trying to say.

calm is good.

- d

[googleygoo]

If you need more feedback...

I stayed at Absolute- it's not that social, but I only stayed for one night. I liked it because it was fairly central- I could walk to Marais and the Seine, and it's more of a hotel than a hostel so the amenities were nice- free towels, soap, and there's even a hair dryer in the bathroom. And the bathroom was clean, which is a big plus for me. I traveled by myself and went out with a fellow roommate at night and we walked home and everything seemed fine.

I also stayed at a hostel in the Montmartre area called Le Village, which was more social than Absolute, but the location not as central. But it didn't matter because most of us were so tired from walking around all day that at night we just hung out at the hostel anyway. Honestly, my fondest memories from traveling is just talking to people, not necessarily the night life.

And also, I think the location isn't a huge deal since Paris has a pretty good public transportation system. However, the metro stops running at 12:30 and I never took the night bus so I don't know how efficient that is.

good luck. No matter what you decide on, you'll love Paris