We need accomodations for 4 (2 grandparents, 2 teen grandsons) for March 16-19. Would like an apt., but most have a 4-night minimum (we%26#39;re staying 3). I found two on vrbo.com that rent for 3 nights - one in an area that we%26#39;d really like to be in (St. Michel) but it%26#39;s REALLY small. VRBO.om # 20017, $390 US for 3 nights
The other is larger, but is a bit further removed, near Jardins des Plantes. VRBO.com # 48307, 360 euros for 3 nights
The third option is one double and one twin room at the Grand Hotel de L%26#39;Avenue, at 14 Rue Rampon near the Republique, www.avenue-paris-hotel.com, total 405 euros
Fourth option is Hotel Royal Cardinal, 1 Rue des Ecoles, 1 quad room, 399 euros for 3 nights
My husband has a knee that%26#39;s starting to bother him, so we can%26#39;t do anything that%26#39;s higher than 2nd floor unless there%26#39;s an elevator, and we regard location as very important criteria.
I would so appreciate your advice on any of these places, as I need to nail something down very soon.
Thanks!
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Convenient location being amongst your primary priorities.....than the VBRO #20017-- http://www.vrbo.com/20017
This studio will most likely be alon rue de la Huchette, rue de la Hapre, rue Saint Severin or rue Xavier Privas. This is one of the most frequented tourist areas in all of Paris...and will be busy for most of the day and evening. If the apartment faces the rear of the building or an inside courtyard, then street noise shouldn%26#39;t be a problem. The %26#39;trade off%26#39; for this is that this immediatate neighborhood will be within easy strolling walking distances of a great many of Paris%26#39; major sites and attractions....and the kids shouldn%26#39;t complain that they%26#39;re staying in a %26#39;..senior center..%26#39;.. A single flight of stairs up to the 1st etage (the 2nd floor being the 1st in Europe) shouldn%26#39;t persent too much difficulty.
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IMO, although the location is ideal 20017 is rather small for 4 people particularly with 2 teen grandsons. If location is your priority then despite the size this would be the one to go with.
48307 with two bedrooms would be better in terms of size. Although further removed it is not that far removed and it is not far from Rue Moffatard with restaurants etc. The one on Rue des Ecoles is good for location, depends on whether you would want to be in one room in a hotel vs. an apartment. Your third option would be my last choice in terms of location.
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Everything is small is Paris. Why not go for 4 nights even if you are staying three...if you find a suitable place. 384 euro is pretty cheap. By the way, if you make sure you are near a metro station, you will be fine because they are really terrific, easy to use and can take you anywhere. If hubby%26#39;s knee is playing up, being close to a metro station will be a blessing.
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Hi flahagan !
For such a short stay: Grand Hotel de l%26#39;Avenue - no doubt - as your teen grandsons will love their own room (and so will you !). It is so much more value for money than being cramped together in a quad-room.
Ask for the top floor (4th) - it has an elevator that takes 3-4 slim persons without baggage - or 2 persons with baggage.
We stayed there in Octobre and had 2 single rooms and a twin room (no. 429, 430 and 432) - and we liked it so much. I had 430 which is a double room - for only a singleroom-rate, 50 euro ! My mother and her friend had 432, a fine twin room, for 64 euro.
Superclean spacious bathrooms, nice staff, supermarket across the street with ALL provisions, good bakeries close by (e.g. go straight up to Avenue Voltaire, turn left and walk about 50 meters).
Close to transport, lots of small restaurants and cafés around, Canal St. Martin round the corner. There is some traffic noise, if you must have your windows open at night. I managed to sleep fine - but my mothers friend (a lady of 60 years who lives in a quiet village at home) thought it was a bit too much. With the windows closed you don%26#39;t hear a sound.
Permit me to post my hotel review:
tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187147-d295185…
and a little nighttime memory from Canal Saint Martin:
Canal St.Martin after dark:
If you are in Paris on a clear night with absolutely no wind, take a walk along the righthand side of Canal St.Martin from Rue du Faubourg du Temple (the corner where the McDo is located) . I went there around midnight and it was truly magical. The old lamps under the trees are lit as are the street lamps. And with the water reaching almost up to the banks where you walk, the houses, cars and lights are reflected crystalclear down into the competely still water, so you actually believe that there is another city existing down in the dark water. Try standing on one of the first bridges and look down the canal to see the trees reflected into the water. Trust me: you will never forget it. It is like the heavenly windows of St.Chapelle moved out into the real world. (It is essential that not a wind is stirring the water)
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Correction: she is 69 years (my mothers friend) .......... not that it matters, but age may play a role on how light you sleep perhaps ?
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Thanks so much to all of you for your great advice! As for staying 4 nights, we%26#39;re locked into 3 as we%26#39;ve already purchased airfare, and had already booked an apartment in Rome for the following 5 nights. At least in Rome, we%26#39;ll be able to spread out a bit as it%26#39;s a 2 br 2 ba apt. It%26#39;s just Paris that has me a bit stifled. Our daughter says that the boys can sleep anywhere, even on the floor! She swears it%26#39;s not important to them, but I can just imagine the %26quot;stop touching me%26quot; remarks if they%26#39;re sharing a small double!!!
I wish I were familiar with the Rue de Mouffetard area, but we%26#39;ve most recently stayed in the St. Michel area and loved it%26#39;s vitality and convenience.
Our first trip to Paris, we stayed at the Hotel Ferrandi on Rue de Cherche Midi in the 6th. The hotel was absolutely charming, but we felt it was too removed from things. So that might give you an idea of what we consider convenient.
I really like the idea of the 2 rooms at the hotel near Republique, but I%26#39;m afraid we%26#39;ll be unfairly comparing the location to the Latin Quarter, unless metros are very close by. Again, I%26#39;m not at all familiar with that area.
So, I need to decide this evening, as the owner is temporarily holding the small studio for us.
I%26#39;ll let you know what the outcome is. Thanks again for all of your help!
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Place de la Republique is a major transportation connection and you can go anywhere in Paris easily from there. It%26#39;s a safe location but it won%26#39;t be %26#39;walkable%26#39; to the Seine for instance.
Please consider the bus system - no stairways and very good coverage. It%26#39;s the same ticket as the metro takes. Ask for the large bus map when you buy your tickets (which you can get at the metro station window at Place de la Republique).
I didn%26#39;t look at your apartments but be sure to check the seating - are there enough chairs or sofa for everyone? Is there a table for small meals or snacks? Is there an elevator in the building?
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I forgot to update everyone on our choice. We finally chose the small studio with the central location. It%26#39;s at 37 Rue de la Harpe, and will be very easy to get to via RER from CDG. I%26#39;m sure it will be tight quarters, but just about anything we can afford in Paris would be! The boys will be happy with the proximity to a crepe stand and McD%26#39;s, of course.
Thanks to all your your helpful input.
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