Paris 2013 Guidebook
Best and worst accommodations:
Best: Rome Hotel Nerva and Florence Hotel Centrale
Why: Both hotels were clean, good breakfasts, helpful staffs. Locations were perfect.
Worst: Paris Hotel Beaugency
Why: Location was good, staff helpful, but breakfast was minimal, no fruit some days, never fresh fruit. Only protein is yogurt. Biggest drawback is cleanliness. Bathroom floor marginal, room floor, bedspreads were just plain dirty. Floors repeatedly had sticky goo in spots when we arrived and two days later when came back from outings. Towels were stained. Floor of closet was filthy.
Peter Morton in Langley, WA USA 04/28/2013
Best: Hotel de la Bourdonnais
Why: Very pleasant and helpful staff. Have been here twice and both stays were wonderful.
Margaret Kerkhove in Brentwood, NH USA 04/12/2013
Best: Hotel Excelsior-Latin
Why: Great place near the main RER lines and walking distance to St. Michael sites. Nice rooms, helpful staff. Skip the breakfast and go down the street to Columbia Cafe.
Andy Hadd in Austin, TX USA 03/26/2013
Best: Relais Bosquet
Why: Helpful service, dynamite location.
stephe durham in sarasota, fl USA 02/28/2013
Best: Hotel de L'Esperance
Why: Great value in a terrific neighborhood. Experience the local side of Paris here. Rooms are small but super clean and comfortable. Friendly service from the staff.
John Osgood in New York, NY USA 02/17/2013
Worst: Hotel Motte Piquet
Why: Our room (a triple) had mold on the ceiling of our room and also mold in the bathroom. There were missing tiles in the bathroom, the door needed cleaning and painting. The carpet was dingy. The staff was very nice and helpful, but the cleanliness was not up to our standards.
Robin Stewart in Derwood, MD USA 01/26/2013
Best: Apartment 3 bocks from the River on the left bank
Why: This location was amazing and with a little traveler it was awesome to be able to go back to the apartment during the day for naps and snacks.
Ashley Davis in Oakton, VA USA 01/06/2013
Best: hotel monaco in munich
Why: True its in "multicultural" area but is absoltelycharming. The rooms are huge and very comfortable. After a very cold day sightseeing in munich we were greeted with gluwhen. The breakfast is terrific with lots of food and endless coffee. Costing 8euros each is well worth it to fuel before the day starts.
christie malcor in upland, ca USA 12/22/2012
Best: hotel monaco in munich
Why: True its in "multicultural" area but is absoltelycharming. The rooms are huge and very comfortable. After a very cold day sightseeing in munich we were greeted with gluwhen. The breakfast is terrific with lots of food and endless coffee. Costing 8euros each is well worth it to fuel before the day starts.
christie malcor in upland, ca USA 12/22/2012
Best: Hotel de l'Alma, near Rue Cler
Why: This hotel was recommended by you in previous guidebooks, but has no air conditioning; not a problem in late September. My stay there was excellent! Beautifully decorated room overlooking a tiny, quiet street. Deliciously comfortable foam mattress. The staff was very nice, and the hotel was spotless. Appreciated the presence of an elevator. I would love to stay there again.
Jeannie Dietz in Lake Forest, CA USA 10/14/2012
Best: Ile St. Louis
Why: Great location. We stayed at an apartment we found through airbnb.com, right across from Berthillons. Used the local grocer for breakfast and snack food.
T Anderson in Falls Church, VA USA 10/13/2012
Best: n/a
Why: We could not find a room in any of your recommend properties, but instead stayed at the Hotel Beaugency, 21 rue Duvivier. 150 euro for a double that was clean and plenty large for two people. It had a nice bathroom, an elevator, helpful reception, and several rooms with views. It was a quiet, comfortable 3 star literally 12 steps from the Rue Cler.
Gayle McKercher in Schwedelbach, RP Germany 06/27/2012
Worst: Grand Hotel Leveque on Rue Cler
Why: They require payment in full for your entire stay before even letting you see the room. Their web site pictures and descriptions are not an accurate representation of the accomodations. The web site also states that there is wifi in every room, when in fact we found out that it is an outright lie on the owner's part - we experienced 1 person after another complaining about no internet service in the rooms and we spoke to a reliable source who told us that the owner will lie to you, and that the wifi has not worked for months in the rooms. The room we were given (and we are used to very small rooms in Europe), had a complete lack of any color, was depressing, and felt like a jail cell; unlike the web pictures full of quaintly decorated rooms. And the room was refered to at booking as a "superior" room with a rate of 155Euros. The hallways were also very dimly lit and very depressing feeling. Upon seeing the room, we told the front desk that we could not stay in that room (due to my husband's health issues), and that we would be canceling our reservation as they had no other rooms to give us. We were told that they would not reund our charges for the 4 nights, even though we did not stay 1 night. One employee told us that the owner gets so many complaints and that is why she charges in full prior to giving you a room key. We feel that the hotel's web site is a false representation of the accomodations. During our few hours there - on the internet in the lobby trying to find another hotel, we heard one complaint after another by the guests. In all of my travels, this is the first time I have experienced this type of policy - charging in full prior to services rendered. We were fully prepared to pay the hotel's cancellation policy of 1 night for a late cancellation. Please consider taking this recommendation out of your book.
Laura Wagner in Naples, FL USA 06/20/2012
Best: Hotel Des Minesl
Why: Staff friendly and close to Luxembourg gardens and RER metro stop. A small Franprix grocery store right next door to buy stuff for a picnic lunch in the park.
Terry Tolentino in San Francisco, Ca USA 06/09/2012
Best: Hotel Muguet
Why: The rooms are small, but very comfortable. It is on a quiet street (which is perfect for families), but only a 10 minute walk from the Eiffel Tower and a 3 minute walk from Invalides. Subway stop is 2 streets away, and a supermarket is right around the corner. The location was absolutely wonderful. The staff was some of the nicest people I have ever met in Paris. We were travelling with our 3 year old son who was jet lagged for the first two days that we were in Paris, and we kept missing breakfast. The staff served us breakfast anyway, even after it was finished, and completely understood our situation. They also recommended a wonderful restaurant and always were ready to help out with directions and taught us how to use the subway. We are very happy with this hotel, and will definitely stay there again. Thank you Steve for your recommendation.
Raisa in Wilmington, DE USA 05/25/2012
Best: Relais Bosquet
Why: Spot on! Great little hotel. The staff took very good care of us, the breakfast was superb, and the location - well, we are seniors, and having the Ecole Militaire Metro stop real close was a true godsend. Can't wait to go back!!
Jim Gillivan in Walnut Creek, CA USA 05/09/2012
Best: Travel like a temporary local
Why: We do not use recommended accomodations. We rent a studio apartment out of the tourist areas and live "like a temporary local." Absolutely the best way to go and to experience the culture.
Rich S. in Huntersville, NC USA 05/06/2012
Best: Hotel de la Motte Piquet
Why: Friendly and helpful staff - immaculately clean - fabulous location - lovely room.
Ingrid in Randolph, NH USA 05/04/2012
Best:
Why: We rented an apartment in the 8th for 3 weeks, a great locatio and great neighborhood by St. Augustin.
Ginna in Zoellner, IL USA 04/21/2012
Worst: Grand Hotel Leveque
Why: It was Easter Sunday afternoon, the day before we were to check out of the hotel. I was using the phone in my room and as I turned to return the phone to it's cradle, it collided with a lamp which was mounted on the wall in very close proximity to the phone base. The globe for the lamp, which I could hold in the palm of my hand, had broken into two pieces. I immediately took the globe downstairs to the desk where I spoke with the clerk and told her I would pay for the damage. She told me she would get in touch with the manager and call me back. A few minutes later, the clerk came to the room saying the manager told her to check the lamp for further damage, she found none. A little while later, she called me back and explained that the manager told her to charge me 65 EURO. She apologized several times and told me she had tried to get the manager to change her mind, but, she would not. Upon checking out of the hotel, I asked to speak to the manager and was told she was "in hospital". I felt I had no other recourse but to pay the 65 EURO, as we were leaving Paris that day. Before I had learned what the charge would be, my fellow travelers and I had estimated 10 to 15 EURO, with 25 being over the top. This was the most disappointing aspect of my entire trip. Please be very careful not to accidentally break anything in the Grand Hotel Le've'que.
Lana Gonda in Mexico Beach, FL USA 04/20/2012
Best: Hotel La Bourdonnais
Why: Great location between Rue Cler and the Eiffel Tower, close to Metro, helpful staff, Free breakfast when I mentioned Rick Steves' book.
Laurie Engelbeck in Issaquah, Wa USA 04/16/2012
Best: Hotel des Grandes Ecoles
Why: Other than the fact that this hotel has a fantastic location in the Latin Quarter and that it is spotlessly clean, comfortable, quiet while just steps from the action on Rue Mouffetard, Marie is the ingredient that made this visit special. We had suddenly found ourselves without a hotel for our final four nights in Paris, when on a moments notice Marie was able to get us in for one night with a promise she'd "take care of us." By the end of the day she had worked her magic and was able to put us up for the whole remainder of our stay. I was especially appreciative as I know how popular the Grandes Ecoles is and how far in advance it gets booked.
Fred Oliver in San Diego, CA USA 03/30/2012
Best: Hotel Relais Bosquet
Why: It was great to be in a real Paris neighborhood, near the Cler Market. The staff was wonderful, gave the 10% discount after arrival (and on top of already fair rates); breakfast was lovely, the room quite comfortable, dark and quiet.
Gina in Ellicott City, MD USA 02/01/2012
Best: Marais Walk
Why: It's such a lovely area. So many delightful discoveries as you make your way thru this jem of a neighborhood.
Helen in San Francisco, CA USA 01/11/2012
Best: Hotel Champ de Mars
Why: We love this hotel. Have stayed there many times over 12 years. The price is so reasonable for Paris. We were just there in October and November of 2011 and they have new bathrooms, new carpet , new wallcoverings, and new matresses. The breakfast is very reasonable and good. We are very fond of the Gourdals and really would not stay anywhere else.
Jane Davis in Lebanon, Oh USA 11/23/2011
Best: Hotel Relais de Medicis
Why: We used this Rick hotel 2+ years ago and again last week. The stay was just as pleasant now as it was then. Terrific location, helpful staff (although Isabelle is no longer with the hotel), and breakfast included, which is a nice touch.
Cindy in Beavercreek, OH USA 11/03/2011
Best: Hotel Turenne
Why: Humberto, the day clerk: vey helpful and friendly. Any question as to where to go or when and he can arrange all the minute details for you. The hotel was clean and tidy and the staff was superb, day or night. This little gen is close to everything that you would readily need, and all the major sights are within easy reach or by Metro. Great location and great rates.
Vicente in Melrose Park, IL USA 11/01/2011
Worst: Hotel Academie St. Germain
Why: It was okay, probably good compared to other Paris hotels...but no amenities, like coffee & tea in lobby, reading materials. Help were friendly, but manager stone-faced. At any rate, great location!
wayne white in walnut creek, ca USA 10/26/2011
Best: Hotel Du Champs De Mars
Why: Great little reasonably priced hotel. The staff was so helpful from allowing us to use the laptop to checkout flights plans to keeping our macarons in the refrigerator. We stayed on the 4th fl in the lavender room. Great view of Rue Cler and the Eiffel Tower. We were so pleased with the hotel that we even recommended it to a gate agent in NY when were arrived back in the US.
Rose Kenney in Tewksbury, MA USA 10/23/2011
Best: 29 Rue Cler: hotel levesque
Why: small, pricey but great area. in future will find hotels in DuMarais which seemed more lively and more suited to me.
Mark in Victoria, bc canada 09/25/2011
Best: N/A
Why: Like I said, I didn't use a recommended accommodation and deeply regretted it. I really wanted air conditioning since I went in August, and a lot of Rick's recommended 2- and 3-star hotels didn't have it.
Katherine in Hutchison, IL USA 09/03/2011
Worst: Hotel du Champ de Mars
Why: I think this place is getting "too big for its britches", thanks to Rick. I would like to make a reservation for next May (I KNOW that's a long way off, but I've heard you have to book months in advance), but I cannot get them to respond in any way shape or form, even when I write in French (I'm fluent). Can't they take one minute to let me know SOMEthing? (start the process in January, etc.) They just ignore me. I guess they're too busy now, thanks to Rick.
trudy in San Antonio, TX USA 09/03/2011
Worst: Grand Hotel Leveque
Why: An American friend and her husband own a B&B in Normandy and when I told her I was considering GHL for our next vacation (since Hotel du Champ de Mars won't respond to me), she said "Beware. The last time I stayed there they charged me 10 euros more than they were supposed to.) She is a true francophile, having lived in Normandy for over 10 years, so she knew what she was doing. I think GHL, like Hotel du Champ de Mars, think they don't have to "try" anymore because they've got it made - thanks mostly to Rick and his books.
trudy in San Antonio, TX USA 09/03/2011
Worst: Hotel du Champ de Mars
Why: I think this hotel may be getting "too big for its britches", thanks to Rick. I have requested info on their rooms 4 times and received no reply (the difference between a double and superior double). I've even written my requests in French, as I speak French fluently. And then I asked the simple question in one email, "When can I make a reservation for 11 nights next May?" I gave the exact dates. I KNOW it's a long way off, but I also know how quickly these rue Cler hotels book up. No response. Couldn't they take 1 minute to reply something? So then, thinking I was doing something wrong on the computer, I pretended to want a room for 5 nights in Oct. I did get a very polite response to that - they were totally full! I guess they know how popular they are now, so they're not going to waste a second on me and my questions.
trudy in San Antonio, TX USA 09/03/2011
Best: Hotel de Londres Eiffel
Why: Loved the location near the Tour Eiffel and the Seine. However they appear to offer a free breakfast now. My confirmation listed breakfast on request for 24 euros.
Arlene Brumm in Mukilteo, WA USA 07/26/2011
Worst: Alcove & Agapes B&B
Why: We stayed at one of the Alcove & Agapes B&B just over a month ago. We were there for a week. We stayed at property numbers 124 & 125 with Claudine. It looked lovely on the website and we read numerous glowing reviews which raved about the TV, free WiFi, etc. Our stay was not pleasant at all, to say the very least. 1. It was far too overpriced for what we were paying. We paid $243 US per night. Perhaps if the cost had been half of that, it may, just may, have been worth it. 2. We never felt welcome. In fact, we were in a hurry to leave there in the mornings and not return until very late at night, even though we have 2 children. It was quite obvious that Claudine did not like us to be there. That's the problem it seems with Parisian B&Bs. There really is no privacy. This has not been our experience with B&Bs in the UK or in the US. 3. The breakfasts were extremely minimal and she was very, very cheap. Each person was allowed 2 very small pieces of bread and it would not fill any of us up – not even the kids. The juice (only one type offered) was foul. The breakfasts were not at all as shown in the pictures and described on the website. They were very sub-standard. The site says that we were to receive flaky croissants that she would warm for us each morning. There was none of that. http://www.bed-and-breakfast-in-paris.com/Dicillin.php?
Negin in St Georges, Grenada 07/25/2011
Best: Hotel Lyon Mulhouse
Why: We did not have much time to prepare since this trip was a last minute decision. There were not many choices left with only 6 weeks to make reservations. It was adequate and just as Rick said it would be. If Rick recommends them, you know they'll be booked quickly.
Bonnie Crabtree in Nesbit, MS USA 06/28/2011
Best: Hotel de l"Empereur
Why: Great location near Metro and Velib stations.
Linda in San Antonio, TX USA 06/19/2011
Best: Hotel Royal Phare
Why: This is only a two star hotel, but we were pleasantly surprised. The breakfast was fine- It was no more expensive than eating at a cafe with a bigger choice and more convenient. We had a room on the street side with big french doors- we had a great time each evening drinking wine and watching the scene below. A great location near rue Cler and the metro. We recommend it for a budget stay.
Laura in Fredericksburg, TX USA 06/16/2011
Best: Port-Royal-Hotel, 8 Blvd. Port Royal, Metro Les Gobelins
Why: 1- Most importamt = They HAD a room (every place else was filled). 2 = The room was small but VERY clean w/a nice bathroom (Opened onto the courtyard. Might be impossibly hot in summer.) 3 = introduced us to the Gobelins neighborhood which we liked a lot. THANKS for the recommendation!
Consuelo Larrabee in Seattle, WA USA 05/30/2011
Best: Alcove & Agapes B&B #368
Why: "Alcove & Agapes" web-site (bed-and-breakfast-in-paris.com) is THE BEST accommodation web-site we have ever used. Through it, we arranged the perfect lodging for our 2-week stay in Paris (B&B # 368; Chantal & Joe). We highly recommend this B&B service.
Marlene & Dave in Fort Collins, CO USA 05/18/2011
Best: The Hotel Hospitel in Paris
Why: Good price, good location, and very helpful people.
Frank Swigon in San Antonio, TX USA 05/06/2011
Best: Relais Bosquet
Why: Great helpful staff, clean larger than usual rooms and great breakfast. Also the location with Rue Cler being one block away is great. Shops, restarants and markets are just a short walk away.
Sherri Steffy in Eureka, mt USA 05/05/2011
Best: Grand Hotel Jeanne d'Arc
Why: Stayed 5 nights in April and were very pleased. Wonderful location in the Marais, friendly, helpful staff. Free Wi-Fi was nice, but had to be used on the ground floor. We had a triple, and the room was good sized, but the bathroom was small. It's hard to get into so reserve months in advance.
Judy Johnson in Alexandria, MN USA 04/25/2011
Worst: Hotel de Turenne
Why: Recently spent two separate stays at Hotel Turenne. Good value but needs to be careful about its upkeep. We stayed in room 52 for our first four nights. Being on the building front allowed road noise but it was lessened by being five stories up. Shower and room were clean but there was only one electric plug, which created a sight problem for me because of my breathing machine. We returned a few days later to room 12. More noise than before and an extremely dirty rug. Might not have returned if we stayed in room 12 at first.
Staff courteous and friendly each time. Location near Rue Cler, Ecole Militare metro and the Eiffel Tour proved advantageous. The lobby area allowed relaxing with a supermarket(right around the corner) dinner or a bottle of wine.
Craig Morgan in Westmont, NJ USA 04/25/2011
Worst: Hotel de Turenne
Why: Requested an online reservation vis their website. Received no response but ever since I have been receiving French email spam from various non-related businesses daily. Contact by phone or fax, do not use their website.
Alan Dahl in Federal Way, WA USA 03/13/2011
Best: Hotel Eber Mars
Why: We had a wonderful 9-day stay at Hotel Eber Mars and would highly recommend it. Mr. Eber (a Kevin Spacey look-a-like whose English almost matched Kevin's) was exceptionally gracious and helpful, as were his employees. Our room (41, on the courtyard) was surprisingly large and comfortable, as was the bathroom. Riding the one-man "coffin" elevator is a little like being rescued from a Chilean mine, so we opted for the winding staircase. That probably woudn't be for everybody, but we were delighted with our choice and very happy "reaching home" after exhilerating days exploring Paris.
Scott in Sammamish, WA USA 03/11/2011
Best: Hotel Motte Picquet
Why: Very friendly staff and great location right at the bottom of Rue Cler. Any street noise didn't bother me at all. I'd definitely stay here again.
Lance Teruya in Ewa Beach, HI USA 02/23/2011
Best: hotel cadran
Why: Very freindly staff. Saved my room after flight was cancelled. Great macarons in lobby. good location
kevin in san diego, ca USA 02/06/2011
Best: Hotel du Champ de Mars
Why: Very cute, quaint hotel, great price, very nice managers (the night assistants were nice but not all that helpful). Our flight was cancelled and rescheduled for 3 days later due to snow and they moved us into another room; we were thrilled to be able to stay in the same hotel.
Alison Snow in Bellevue, WA USA 01/28/2011
Best: VRBO
Why: We used VRBO, I can't say it's the best, but it worked for us! No bad experiences, got a great apartment in le Marais and a taste of that small-town, leaving your key with the cafe down the road and everything will be fine, feel and a great flat for an extended vacation.
Kali Morse in Ft. Campbell, KY USA 01/19/2011
Best: Vintage Hostel
Why: It wasn't recommended by the book, but by a website and I loved it. It's in the Montmarte area so that was a little sketchy, but the place was clean, nice workers, fun people and free breakfast included!
Chapel Ham in Bellville, TX USA 01/10/2011