neighborhoods

Well, that's definitely a point, Madlyn.

However and I do repeat it, those pull out sofas aren't the most comfortable ones to sleep on, especially two adults and if it's only 140 cm large.

To everyone who replied to my postings-
Thanks so much for all the information! You are a great group of people.
(BTW, the 70 euro per night for theCitadines I reserved is an internet special thru the hotel)


Madlyn

MorganB, Yes the Citadine Paris St. Germain, is farly nice, but it is also fairly expensive, 164 to 190 € for a studio (1 room). The question is why does want one? Do you want to cook your meals there. Most people go to Paris to, among others things, enjoy the food, the cooking., and the cooking facilities are quite elementary. The cheaper ones are quite remote from most sights. I think for the first time visitor a hotel is a much better bet.

BP Chuck

Here's my thoughts on the Citadines:

I like the Saint Germain one the best. I have seen the inside and it is nice. I also think it is the most expensive one of all.

Out of the ones you mentioned the Louvre one is in the nicest area and is probably a bit more upscale on the inside.

The Opera Grand Blvd is a fine location and central as well. I personally dont like that area of Paris. It is attractive and upscale but the wide blvds mean loads of cars. It is always loaded with traffic which adds lots of noise pollution as well as diesel smell. Its worth seeing that area but I personally wouldnt want to stay there because I find it frantic.

I like the Place d'Italie alot. It's attractive and the Butte aux Cailles neighborhood is charming. Plus you are very close to the Goblins area which is very upscale with lots of restaurants and Hediards. The area around Place d'Italie is very safe. I would say one good thing about that location are the 3 metro lines.....

Do you really plan on walking everywhere? It would probably be a 2 hour walk or so to the Eiffel Tower from Place d'Italie for example. If you are really scared of the metro you may want to consider using the bus. The bus system is a slower than the metro but you can see the city while moving about. If you do use the bus ask for a large map at any metro station. It should be a big fold out map. That will help you locate the bus stops more easily.

The furnishings in some of the Citadines will be very basic.... think comfort inn. The more expensive ones will be a bit nicer.

Maybe someone couldlist 4 or 5 hotels with 100 Euro rooms in convenient areas that Madelyn could choose from.

Madlyn, first of all Citadines Bastille Marais is not in a bad area, but I agree that it is not in a convenient area, in other words, it is not very conveniently located for visiting the sights of Paris. Not much of interest within walking distance (Maybe the marais district falls into the cathegory but that is all. Other sights can be visited by taking the Metro, and most of them require one or more transfers. The other thing is the fact, that I am not shure what king of room you get there for 70 €-s per day, or this may be an off season promotion. I have it listed as studios at 115 to 135 € per day. or 5728 to 840 € per week. As far as I am concerned the Gare de Lyon is not better as far as convenience is concerned, and the area is a bit worse. Remember mostl the Citadines are in areas with the lowest real estate prices were. Normally I would say the best areas are in the "single digit" districts.
The better the location, the higher the price naturally. For example the one on the Rue Richelieu , near the Lovre is 1b5 153 to 190 € per day. In other words you do not really save over hotels, where you have them all over the place, and the rates are only based mainly on the merits of the hotel. If you book in advance, you can get hotels for 70-80 € and up per day. Much depends natuarally what you are interested in, and consequently where you intend to stay. we can make suggestions, if you give us a bit more detailes.

BP Chuck

Have to disagree with Blvd. de Grenelle, which is incidentally in the 15th and the métro (overground) is going through. Pretty noisy and not the most charming street. However, the métro stop, La Motte Picquet-Grenelle is pretty convenient.

Rue de Grenelle (7th arr.) is a different matter and a much nicer street. But, alas, that's not where the Citadines is located.

I'd check on Tripadvisor what people who have actually stayed at the different Citadines have to say. Again, a lot of reading for you, Madlyn, but I think, it's worth the effort.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Search?returnTo...=12&submit.y=14

Regarding location, I'd go with the Opéra-Vendôme, Grands Boulevards or Louvre.
My fave however, is the Saint-Germain (Grands Augustins). There is one bad review though. But, oh well, some are good. What to believe??
Some of the others are in a good location too, but I wouldn't hit them first, especially, if you're not familiar with the city.
Les Halles is to be avoided.

If you're looking for a convenient area, I would say that the Blvd. de Grenelle (rue de Grenelle?) would be your most centrally located and nice area. I believe it is in the 6th running into the 7th - so close to Tour Eiffel, rue Cler, Invalides, etc. If the price is right, that would allow walking to most everywhere. The others sound a ways out of central Paris. Rue de Grenelle is probably only 4 (plus or minus) streets from the Seine. I would assume it would be pretty safe at night; however, I would trust the locals on that fact.

Also, wait to hear from the locals (or get a good Paris map to find the location in the whole Paris area) to get their ideas on the safety/location of the hotel.

The fact of close Metro stops doesn't mean alot to me -- I am intimidated by it!! I prefer to walk anyway!

Good luck!

Joy

Well - I've been on the internet for many hours after receiving replies, last night & this am, to my message. I had asked for opinions about the Citadines Bastille Marais (37 Blvd. Richard Lenoir) and some posted that they thought it was an inconvient location, especially for 1st time in Paris. So, I've looked up all the other Citadines in Paris (must be about 20). The Bastille Marais is 70E a night, and with a couple of exceptions, the others are much more - ranging from 113 E to 203 E (for the Citadines Opera Vendome).

Here are my questions about the neighborhoods - The Citadines Bastille Nation says it's "in the heart of the Bastille Nation-Gare de Lyon triangle". I've been told to stay away from the Gare train stations - so wouldn't that be not so good? It's 113 E and I'm not sure if it's a more convenient location even.

Citadines Place d'Italie (located right on the square @ 18 place d'italie) is 100E. It says it's near Chinatown & another area w/ cobblestone streets & bistros. I don't know what district it's in or if it's better/more convenient.

The Citadines Didot Alesia is 88 E - it's at 94 rue Didot at the intersection of rue Larousse - I don't know what district that is. It's near metro station Plaisance. Is that a more convenient/better area than the Bastille Marais?

Citadines Maine Montparnasse is 122 E - would that be worth so much price difference? Citadines Louve (8 rue de Richelieu - behind comedie Francaise) is 141 E - same question. Citadines Opera-Grands Boulevards is 137E a night (117E for 3 of the nights) - same question. Citadines Voltaire Republique is 104 E - it's at 75 bis ave. Pamentier - says it's 1/2 way between place de la Republique & Pere Lachaise. It looks like that might even be a little further out than the one I have reserved, no? Better/more convenient? Worth the price difference?
Citadines Les Halles is 145E (w/3 of the nights at 115E) - same question. Also, I read in a guide book that Les Halles area is 'seedy' at night. Yes??

Citadines Montmarte is 94 E (72E for 3 of the nights). Is that a preferable area to the one I have reserved? I think I read somewhere that Montmartre also can be seedy at night. Do you think so? Is it near the Pigalle?

Also, how is 132 blvd de Grenelle ? - it says it's in what was the former village of grenelle, now a typically Parisian area w/narrow streets, open air markets, traditional cafes & restaurants. I think it might be near the Eiffel tower.

Ursula - if you read this, I didn't address it to you because you're busy now and have already given me so much of your time. But if you ever have time at another time, I'd like your opinion, & would appreciate it.

The Citadines Bastille Marais says it's a 10 min walk to Place de Vosges in the heart of the Marais, so I'm not sure why you 'guys' think it's an inconvenient area. Is it because the Metro stop doesn't go to many places? It looks like it's fairly near the St. Ambrose, and also the Richard Lenoir Metro stops. Also, I looked at their site again, and it says it does have a stove (& a microwave) - doesn't say anything about a hot plate.

Well, again, I'm looking forward to any replies and really really appreciate the help you've been giving me.