As anyone can tell you, Paris in the Fall is a sight and sensation to behold. And for anyone who’s been there, the best advice for any length stay is to plan ahead, this includes what to see and where to stay to optimize your visit. For the most fun, and the best economy of value in and around Paris, here’s three superb hotel selections.
Looking at several major attractions like the Louvre and Tuileries Garden, those things to do and places to see around Jardin du Luxembourg and Notre Dame Cathedral,, the Eifel Tower and attractions North and West around the Arc de Triomphe are key locals to stay. As for the wonderful attractions on the outskirts such as Versailles Palace, those bear witness to the need for stays on the outskirts of town or at worst ones located near the best transport.Factor in a need for economy (not an aspect Paris is noted for) and the following selected hotels make the most sense.
All About Town Sightseeing – Hotel Louvre Rivoli
A Classic Double across the street from a week’s worth of sightseeing.
For the optimal convenience, luxury, price and common sense Paris stay there may not be another hotel in the city more appropriate for tourists than Hotel Louvre Rivoli. Situated down the street from the Louvre Museum, and just across the bridge from Notre Dame, this luxurious boutique hotel goes for about €166 euro per night in the Fall, for their Classic Double (above), and this is without any package or discount rate. Slightly Spartan by comparison to some of the others in the area, location and service wise, the difference is negligible as these rooms are uncommonly spacious and well kept.
One reason for choosing any of these places to stay, the sheer time it takes to gather in Paris, this says nothing for the week and a half you’d need to see everything in just the Louvre Museum. I strongly suggest you take this into consideration when traveling with or without the family to see this marvelous city.
Jardin du Luxembourg – The Five Hotel
Sparkling Canopy room at The Five Hotel – shouting distance from Notre Dame
For those of you intent on spending time in central Paris, in or around the places in so-called walking distance of Jardin du Luxembourg, and Notre Dame you’re going to pay upwards of €120 euro per night to be located here, so indulging in some luxury boutique hospitality makes sense. The Five Hotel is another of Philippe Vaurs’ Elegancia group that accommodates in style without destroying the budget. A Canopy room (above) here goes for about €177 euro per night and that includes a sparkling tasty breakfast, we know, we’ve stayed here. Withing a decent stretch of the legs of the best cafes, bars, and the aforementioned touristy sites, this hotel and its cousins The Seven, and the One By The Five of the same group, make a good choice for ease of visitation and comfort.
The Cliche & Quintessential Paris – Hotel Ares Eiffel
A Classic Double Room at Ares Hotel
If you expect to spend a lot of time around the Eiffel Tower and up to the Arc de Triomphe etc. if shopping and cliche touristy wonder is your bag, Hotel Ares Eiffel is absolutely a winner. This ultra chic stay is less than a kilometer from the tower itself and a baseball throw from Champ de Mars. A classic double (as above) here runs just over €160 euro per night with no discounts, and like I said, you can hit the Eiffel Tower with a spitball from here.
Your Own Villa at Versailles
A double at Villa de la Pièce d’eau des Suisses
Finally, for those of you who have never visited the Palace at Versailles, an experience you’ll never forget awaits. As is the case with central Paris attractions, the closer one gets to all there is to see, the better guests of the area will fare in enjoying all this UNESCO site has to offer. Luckily, the absolute best place to stay near the palace is also about as reasonable as anyone can expect of a fine accommodation anywhere, let along this part of France. Villa de la Pièce d’eau des Suisses is a dueling pistol shot from the palace grounds. A fabulous double room on the second floor of this villa is only €140 euro per night with breakfast. As you can see from the image above, and the one below, this bed and breakfast actually puts more four and five star hotels to shame.
For my money staying with the owner of this house and his family (including the cat Fred) seems to me a far more intimate and adventurous visitation than a stark hotel stay. Readers can check out the family on Facebook too.
The garden at Villa de la Pièce d’eau des Suisses
So for proximity, luxury, and even a bit of economy for your next visit to Paris we hope these suggestions help make your stay even more wonderful. Paris, even after one lives over the hype, is absolutely a wonder to visit. Next time we’ll round up some nearby restaurants we’ve experienced. As for our family next time, Fred the cat may well be our newest hospitality friend.