| Hotel
Districts |
|
| Louvre: |
There
is a surprisingly varied range of hotels in the immediate vicinity
of the Louvre, right in the heart of Paris. Most are on the north
side of The Louvre, within easy walking distance of the Louvre Palace,
Notre Dame and Pompidou Centre.
|
| Opera/City
Centre: |
The
area around the Opera is the main mainstream shopping district of
Paris where most of the big department stores are found. The financial
district is just to the east of the district. Direct Roissybus coaches
run to CDG airport from Opera.
|
| Latin
Quarter: |
On
the south/left bank of the river, the Latin Quarter is a very popular
place for visitors to stay with accommodation in all types and prices.
Walkable over to the Louvre and a good place to wander day or night.
|
| Champs
Elysees: |
The
famous wide thoroughfare itself lined with shops and cafes from the
Arc de Triomphe down to almost the Louvre. Expensive area with mostly
4 star hotels on or just to the north of the Champs Elysees itself.
Direct bus from CDG to Arc de Triomphe.
|
| Marais: |
A
district just east of the Louvre area stretching out to Bastille.
Full of very narrow lanes and small business, much of it clothing
related. Area is fast moving upmarket, but its easy to get an authentic
flavour of everyday Paris uncorrupted by tourism.
|
| Eiffel
Tower: |
The
Eiffel Tower is on the left bank of the river, west of the Latin Quarter
and St Germain. There is a wide range of accommodation which graduates
downwards in price the further south and west you go. Can be very
economical.
|
| Montmartre: |
Montmartre
is a kilometre or two north of the central area. The narrow streets
on the hill means traffic is minimal and so it retains a village feel.
Heavily visited area with budget accommodation, mostly not in Montmartre
itself but around the base of the hill.
|
| Gare
du Nord: |
The
Gare du Nord is a major budget accommodation area, just north-east
of the city centre. Direct frequent trains to CDG and Orly airports
are available as well as Eurodisney. Gare du Nord is the terminus
for Eurostar and Thalys trains.
|
| Eurodisney
|
Eurodisney
is quite a long way out from Paris City Centre, but there are fast
frequent RER trains making the journey relatively painless. Hotels
in the Eurodisney hotels offer great value for money, especially for
families and are mostly modern.
|
| CDG
Airport: |
There
is a large range of airport hotels at CDG. Interspersed between the
terminals are a range of hotels from the budget Ibis to 4 star luxury.
Just outside the airport perimeter are other hotels, most with airport
shuttles offering very economical rooms.
|
| Orly
Airport: |
There
are a few hotels on the airport itself including a budget Ibis with
more economical alternatives outside the airport boundary. |
| Room
Types |
|
| Hostels: |
The
cheapest mostly dormitory style accommodation aimed at the young and
young at heart. A wide range of hostels are available. Most have kitchen
for use by residents, bars, luggage storage etc. Many have travel
agencies, entertainment and more.
|
| 1/2
Star: |
The
backbone of accommodation for the budget leisure visitor found throughout
Paris. Best value usually found in Montmartre and Bastille areas.
There is usually a promotion on somewhere. Confusingly some are cheaper
at weekends, some more expensive.
|
| 3
Star: |
The
French grading system with its absence of a five star category means
many hotels that would be graded 4 star elsewhere are 3 star in France.
Holiday Inn hotels for example are mostly classified 3 star
|
| 4
Star: |
Dominated
by the large international chains, but with some independents four
star hotels are the top grade in France, (there is no 5 star). Most
are found in the Champs Elysees, Opera, Louvre and Latin Quarter/St
Germain districts
|
| Apartments: |
A
good range of studio, one and two bedroom apartments are available
for short-term letting of a day or more. The highest concentration
is found in the Montmartre and Latin Quarter areas. All are fully
furnished, most with luxuries as standard.
|
| Aparthotels: |
A
mix of apartments with hotel style services in addition. This sector
is dominated by the Citadines chain, which has very well located aparthotel
blocks in most areas of Paris the visitor wants to go.
|
| Family
Rooms: |
If
you are a family or a small group it is possible to get larger rooms
in most sectors. Choice is largest in the budget 2/3 star hotels.
Novotel, Holiday Inn and Best Western also have rooms which will accommodate
a family 4, more upmarket.
|
| Single
Rooms: |
Single
travellers sometimes have no choice but to pay the same price as a
double/twin room. We have a separate page highlighting some establishments
across all hotel grades that give a good discount to the single traveller.
|
| Chain
Hotels |
|
| Ibis |
Well
known international budget chain. Has hotels in most districts of
Paris and is a good benchmark for budget accommodation. |
| Holiday
Inn: |
The
Holiday Inn franchise is alive and kicking in Paris. Hotels (including
Express by Holiday Inn) are found in both central Paris and in key
locations in the suburbs.
|
| Best
Western: |
One
of the best known international brands is perhaps the largest chain
in Paris in terms of numbers, certainly in the 3/4 star grade. Many
in the Champs Elysees area. |
| Timhotel: |
A
local Parisian chain with traditional smaller hotels in the 2/3 star
grade category. Hotels in most of the main districts visitors want
to stay at, at affordable prices
|
| Relais: |
Another
Parisian chain with traditional smaller hotels in the 2/3 star grade
category. Hotels in many of the main districts people want to stay
at. |