Need help with Paris flights and hotel

[bardstowntraveller]

I am planning a girl's trip to Paris next May and need tips on getting cheap airfare and a nice affordable hotel. I've searched most of the discount airfare sites and the cheapest airfare I can find is $980. We will be flying from Louisville. Will fares get cheaper if I wait or is this a good price?

 

As far as hotels go, I've found some affordable ones around Montparnase but I'd rather be more central. Has anyone stayed in this area? Anyone have a favorite hotel to recommend? We are trying to find one for $200/night or less. We also need twin bedded rooms

Thanks :D

[Susan-M]

The Cruise Air forum might be a more helpful one for answers to your flight question.

 

Another site to get feedback on your hotel question is the Paris Tripadvisor Forum. Here's a thread re the Montparnasse district. Hotel reviews on TA are also very helpful.

[olwagner]

I can not really help you with the plane ticket (funny ideas going thru my mind but too impractical to be shared).

 

But for the hotels? $200? Really? Are you limiting yourself to American brands ????

 

Ok, check http://www.ibishotel.com (prices in USD) and http://www.kyriad.com (prices in EUR). These are two 2 star hotel chains, breakfast is extra I believe.

 

Hotel d'Amiens is more average a lowly 2 stars - but you can get a room with breakfast for $80 (unless you're on a budget, I wouldn't recommend it too much - rooms really look cheap)

http://www.hotels.com/ho251411/hotel-d-amiens-paris-france/

 

The following two are better alternatives than Hotel d'Amiens for a similar price:

* Peletier Haussmann (Opera area, central too). Comes out at 85EUR per night if you book their 4 night package at 340EUR, child -11 stays free, breakfast 4EUR / person (but breakfast is included in the 4 nigh package)

* Lux Hotel Picpus, 12th arrondisement, 59EUR for a double room, 64 for a triple, breakfast 8EUR per person and you'll have to take their breakfast, can't just book the room without it. http://www.parisluxhotel.com

 

Whatever you'll end up booking, check reviews on tripadvisor or a similar website to get a feel of the place.

[jwds]

$980 is not an awful fare. I probably would not pay that now but would keep checking. When I'm watching fares I check at least once each day. If there was nothiing better by Sept. or Oct I'd probably book the $980.

 

I would suggest that you watch other airports in addition to SDF. LEX is probably only a little further for you and Delta has nonstops from CVG to CDG.

 

As to the hotel try www.venere.com. It is a booking agency that I have been very happy with for hotel reservations in Europe.

[bardstowntraveller]

$980 is not an awful fare. I probably would not pay that now but would keep checking. When I'm watching fares I check at least once each day. If there was nothiing better by Sept. or Oct I'd probably book the $980.

 

I would suggest that you watch other airports in addition to SDF. LEX is probably only a little further for you and Delta has nonstops from CVG to CDG.

 

As to the hotel try www.venere.com. It is a booking agency that I have been very happy with for hotel reservations in Europe.

Thanks. I am also checking LEX and CVG as both are driveable. I was surprised the CVG didn't give better results as they have non-stops but the prices were actually higher

[bardstowntraveller]

I can not really help you with the plane ticket (funny ideas going thru my mind but too impractical to be shared).

 

But for the hotels? $200? Really? Are you limiting yourself to American brands ????

 

Ok, check http://www.ibishotel.com (prices in USD) and http://www.kyriad.com (prices in EUR). These are two 2 star hotel chains, breakfast is extra I believe.

 

Hotel d'Amiens is more average a lowly 2 stars - but you can get a room with breakfast for $80 (unless you're on a budget, I wouldn't recommend it too much - rooms really look cheap)

http://www.hotels.com/ho251411/hotel-d-amiens-paris-france/

 

The following two are better alternatives than Hotel d'Amiens for a similar price:

* Peletier Haussmann (Opera area, central too). Comes out at 85EUR per night if you book their 4 night package at 340EUR, child -11 stays free, breakfast 4EUR / person (but breakfast is included in the 4 nigh package)

* Lux Hotel Picpus, 12th arrondisement, 59EUR for a double room, 64 for a triple, breakfast 8EUR per person and you'll have to take their breakfast, can't just book the room without it. http://www.parisluxhotel.com

 

Whatever you'll end up booking, check reviews on tripadvisor or a similar website to get a feel of the place.

Thanks for your tips. I do not want an American or European chain hotel. Hotel doesn't have to be fancy but I want something with a little charm. This will be my friends first trip and I want it to be memorable (in a good way!) When I checked out hotels.com I found several 3 star hotels unter $200. Most were in Montparnase. I haven't stayed in that area but will consider it since the metro is so convenient. I'll also check out your recommendatons.

[yarramar]

I am planning a girl's trip to Paris next May and need tips on getting cheap airfare and a nice affordable hotel. I've searched most of the discount airfare sites and the cheapest airfare I can find is $980. We will be flying from Louisville. Will fares get cheaper if I wait or is this a good price?

 

As far as hotels go, I've found some affordable ones around Montparnase but I'd rather be more central. Has anyone stayed in this area? Anyone have a favorite hotel to recommend? We are trying to find one for $200/night or less. We also need twin bedded rooms

Thanks :D

 

We stayed in a beautiful B&B for 3 nights called Paris Oasis (http://www.paris-oasis.com) It was in the heart of Montmartre near the Sacre Coeur and a short walk to the metro or HOHO buses. The owners were wonderful and extremely helpful with any questions we had as well as arranging taxis & dinner reservations. We also researched apartments as an inexpensive way of staying in Paris e.g. http://www.villa4vacation.com/PropertyDetails.aspx?PropertyID=439045

but we decided we needed the personal guidance of French speaking hosts.

 

For your airfares, if you subscribe to Yapta.com they monitor the prices of fares you are considering and advise you by email when the price drops.

[Stelladoro]

A couple of years ago, we stayed 5 nights at the Abbatial Saint Germain in the Latin Quarter. Location was excellent - only a 5 minute walk to the Notre Dame and also walking distance to the Louvre, Musee D'Orsay, Louxembourg Gardens. Rooms are not large, but clean and comfortable. Hotel has probably one of the smallest elevators( one person and luggage at a time). Lots of restaurants, bakeries in the area. A grocery is located diagonally across the street from the hotel. On specific days, there's also an outside fruit/vegetable market along sidewalk of Rue St. Germain, just a few steps from the hotel. Suggest you check out reviews of hotel on TripAdvisor.

[LittleMissS]

Just returned from a trip to France. I stayed at Hotel Modgliani in the Montparnasse area. It's a three start hotel...clean...nice...we only stayed there for one night, but it seemed like there was a lot to do on the street...cafes and whatnot.

 

Here's their website.

http://villa-modigliani-paris.hotel-rn.com/Villa_Modigliani_Room_information_en.html

[TLCOhio]

Agree with one of the posters that $980 is not a bad price to Paris for next May. It could go lower, BUT, most likely it is going to go higher as the economy, energy prices and limited capacity impacts things. I wouldn't wait too long. It is more likely to go up rather than drop down that much.

 

On staying in Paris, my super strong view is that WHERE you stay is super important. BOTH for getting the charm of a neighborhood and in having convenience to the Metro stations and better lines. All parts of Paris are not equal. You might save a few dollars on where you stay and waste lots of time and miss the early morning and evening "JOY" of walking around and experiencing the people and best architecture.

 

Personally, I love the Marais and Left Bank areas as places to stay. You might check out this website for options on apartments and places a little larger where you can stay. So many Paris hotel rooms are super small and ultra cramped. If it's a "girls" time in Paris, having a little room to relax, grab a breakfast bite there, etc., has its advantages and can save some money over a small hotel room in a boring or out-of-the-way location. Look at:

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/europe

 

TripAdvisor is also a good resource to check. You mentioned your desire for a "nice affordable hotel". "Nice" is very important for the character and convenience of the neighborhood.

 

Below are a few visual highlights that I took in and around the Marais area, and nearby, that we like so much.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For more details, great visuals, etc., from our July 1-16 Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle Silver Cloud experiences:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

 

 

At the Sunday market near the Bastille, fresh seafood:

 

 

 

Dinner at Bofiner in the Marais area with its unique ceiling and charming interior:

 

 

 

On the wonderfully charming ille St. Louis island, this flower shop is so nice along with other shops there:

 

 

 

In the Marais, this covered walkway is a part of the Place des Vosges that was the prototype for the residential squares of European cities that were to come. These brick designs date to 1612.:

 

 

 

In the historic Marais area, here are some of the many interesting doors.:

 

[bardstowntraveller]

Agree with one of the posters that $980 is not a bad price to Paris for next May. It could go lower, BUT, most likely it is going to go higher as the economy, energy prices and limited capacity impacts things. I wouldn't wait too long. It is more likely to go up rather than drop down that much.

 

On staying in Paris, my super strong view is that WHERE you stay is super important. BOTH for getting the charm of a neighborhood and in having convenience to the Metro stations and better lines. All parts of Paris are not equal. You might save a few dollars on where you stay and waste lots of time and miss the early morning and evening "JOY" of walking around and experiencing the people and best architecture.

 

Personally, I love the Marais and Left Bank areas as places to stay. You might check out this website for options on apartments and places a little larger where you can stay. So many Paris hotel rooms are super small and ultra cramped. If it's a "girls" time in Paris, having a little room to relax, grab a breakfast bite there, etc., has its advantages and can save some money over a small hotel room in a boring or out-of-the-way location. Look at:

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/europe

 

TripAdvisor is also a good resource to check. You mentioned your desire for a "nice affordable hotel". "Nice" is very important for the character and convenience of the neighborhood.

 

Below are a few visual highlights that I took in and around the Marais area, and nearby, that we like so much.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For more details, great visuals, etc., from our July 1-16 Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle Silver Cloud experiences:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

 

 

At the Sunday market near the Bastille, fresh seafood:

 

 

 

Dinner at Bofiner in the Marais area with its unique ceiling and charming interior:

 

 

 

On the wonderfully charming ille St. Louis island, this flower shop is so nice along with other shops there:

 

 

 

In the Marais, this covered walkway is a part of the Place des Vosges that was the prototype for the residential squares of European cities that were to come. These brick designs date to 1612.:

 

 

 

In the historic Marais area, here are some of the many interesting doors.:

 

Thanks. Have been busy checking out VRBO. We have booked through them many times, always with success. There are several apartment possibilities so hopefully one will pan out. I am familiar with the Marais area. We really like the area around the Opera as well.

 

The challenge on this trip is that in addition to Paris/Provence, I am also planning a Florence/Tuscany option. I've been to both places before but my travelling companions are new to Europe. It will be fun to show them the places I love!

[hisunbeam]

Hi bardstowntraveller,

 

We will be visiting Paris in a few weeks and were referred to Hotel Diana by friends of ours who recently returned from their honeymoon. It is family owned, and located in the Latin Quarter, steps from Notre Dame and we're only paying 90 Euros a night. They raved about it- while nothing super fancy, the service is great and the location even better. Those on tripadvisor agreed... check it out: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187147-d567154-Reviews-Hotel_Diana-Paris_Ile_de_France.html

 

-Sammi

[TLCOhio]

Thanks. Have been busy checking out VRBO. We have booked through them many times, always with success. There are several apartment possibilities so hopefully one will pan out. I am familiar with the Marais area. We really like the area around the Opera as well.

 

The challenge on this trip is that in addition to Paris/Provence, I am also planning a Florence/Tuscany option. I've been to both places before but my travelling companions are new to Europe. It will be fun to show them the places I love!

 

Glad to hear you have used VRBO with success in the past. You've got lots to plan and do to prepare for both France and Italy. BUT, it's fun take friends there and show off these great places you know.

 

In Paris, take them on a tour of the Opera House. In recent years, some of the key rooms have been restored and look super great. See below, plus a couple of other great options to consider that some forget about for how wonderful these places can be.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For more details, great visuals, etc., from our July 1-16 Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle Silver Cloud experiences:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

 

 

The famed 1860’s Opera House has recently restored its spectacular reception hall:

 

 

 

At the d’Orsay Museum, this was the grand dining room of the hotel that was part of the previous train station. Now, dining at lunch here breaks up the day during a long day of standing and walking:

 

 

 

At the wonderful small and charming Rodin Museum, his studio/home and the grounds are filled with his sculpture. Here’s some folks looking at the key parts to one of his famed pieces:

 

 

 

Here is more from the small and charming Rodin Museum that features his studio/home and the grounds that are filled with his sculpture: