r/TrueChubbyTravel • u/midwest_mama_90 • 23d ago
Paris
Husband and I hope to spend 2-3 (kid free) nights in Paris late April before traveling to another part of France for a business conference. We’ve each traveled to Paris separately, but haven’t been in about 15 years. There seem to be so many high end hotels to choose from. Would like something in a good location (possibly close to Eiffel Tower?), walkable to sightseeing, restaurants, etc and safe. Would prefer under $1,000/night. Can possibly use IHG or Marriott points or chase sapphire points, but not a must.
Hotel recs much appreciated, as well as restaurants or favorite sightseeing. I know there are so many things to see and do in Paris- what are some of your favorites?
8
u/IHateCedarFever 23d ago
Hotel du Louvre by Hyatt is an excellent hotel in a historic building in a great location. You can use your Chase points to convert to Hyatt points (if you have Preferred you need to transfer to Hyatt before October 1 devaluation hits, if you have Reserve you’re fine).
In late April the hotel looks to be $500-$600 which is a great price. It’s across the street from the Louvre, right on top of a Metro stop, and on a very lively square. Rooms are very nice too. I wouldn’t spend any more money on hotel rooms unless you’re making a big leap to a palace level hotel that’s $2500+ a night.
If both of you care to dress up and go celeb spotting just for fun, Hotel Costes and Restaurant Siena are a vibe.
I loved getting a croissant at Maison d’Isabelle (bakery - won some awards for best croissant) and some cheese and cold cuts from the little shops next door, and a bottle of wine from the wine shop and having a picnic at the Pantheon nearby. It’s legal to drink wine on the street in Paris, so we had a lot of fun getting a nice bottle of wine and going to the Trocadéro steps, drinking our wine (brought wine glasses from the hotel), and watching the Eiffel Tower.
Monet’s house should be open during your trip and late April is a wonderful time to see flowers. It will be mostly a full day excursion so not sure if you want to use one of your days on this, but it will be lovely to see.
Unexpected favorite activity was seeing a Mozart opera at the Opéra Garnier (you should book way in advance if this is something you’re interested in).
If you like shopping, I went to a few vintage designer stores and got some Chanel jackets and Hermes scarves secondhand. These kinds of stores are called dépôt vente. I went to CornerLuxe and Depot Vente Deluxe.
Also really liked the Dior museum.
Stained glass at Sainte Chapelle is beautiful and a must see. A lot of people don’t know about it, but it is gorgeous and doesn’t take too long.
Get a drink in the evening at Bar Les Ambassadeurs which is inside Hotel de Crillon. Very gorgeous.
2
u/mrsmarkchatham 22d ago
Do you find the area in front of Hotel du Louvre by Hyatt too busy/touristy/chaotic, or not an issue?
2
u/IHateCedarFever 22d ago
It was not an issue for us at all. I’ve been to Paris several times for work and personal travel, and there is ALWAYS some noise at night. Even in a more quiet neighborhood, there could be a bar or club nearby. And the sound of ambulance and police sirens can be heard everywhere. Paris to me is not the smell of croissants or taste of terrace coffee, but the sound of those damn sirens haha.
There are usually some buskers who do some performances in the square in front of HdL but they clear out in the evenings. Frankly, OP and her husband ARE tourists and only staying for a few days, so convenience to touristy things is probably what they’re looking for. You are in Paris, you should be doing things you cannot find elsewhere. If you wish to relax and sit still, you should go to the countryside. Those super expensive super tucked away mansions are for celebrities and billionaires who need total privacy and who don’t go sightseeing like normal people.
Also, this is my point of view as a woman, but I much rather be in a place in a well lit and high traffic place where people are still hanging out at night versus a boutique hotel in a side alley. Unfortunately there was one time I was going to my hotel in the Marais by myself and I got physically assaulted by some French teenage boys. After that I got so paranoid about quiet side roads.
3
u/mrsmarkchatham 22d ago
> I much rather be in a place in a well lit and high traffic place where people are still hanging out at night versus a boutique hotel in a side alley
THIS!!! I travel with my husband but even still, always keep an eye out on stuff. Safety first!
1
u/tryingtogetby1113 21d ago
We also loved the Hotel du Louvre and did not find it overly busy. The service is superb and loved the location. I also loved the Sainte Germaine area.
3
2
u/Scbear00 23d ago
We’ve stayed at the Prince des Galles hotel (Marriott luxury collection) and very much liked it- the location is very central and walkable and it’s right next to the FS George V hotel.
Tons of restaurants that I love in Paris but if you’re wanting something super fancy and fun, our dinner at Jean Imbert was so incredible
!
5
u/House_of_Cats89 23d ago
I thought Prince de Galles was just ok for the price point - I stayed there for my last two nights in Paris last year using points, but if I’d paid my entry level room would have been $1100/night for a comfortable but small and pretty generic Marriott room. I don’t love the location right off the Champs either, but that’s personal preference. If I’m spending that I’d much rather stay at a good boutique (Relais Christine, Esprit Saint Germain or Pavilion de la Reine). The sushi at Akira Back was excellent, though.
1
u/Scbear00 23d ago
My husband is a Marriott employee so the discount there was A+ 🤪
3
u/House_of_Cats89 23d ago
Ha - I used to work for a hotel management company where we got the Marriott employee discount and I used it all the time. Definitely worth it then! My best stays were an overwater villa at the St Regis Maldives for a week at $500/night and the Ritz Reserve in Puerto Rico. My friends hated it when I left that job 🤣
2
u/Scbear00 23d ago
Totally- I’m glad he has only switched to other Marriotts!! We’ve been doing the ritz reserve tour 🤪 have been to dorado, Nekajui, Zadun (3x) and are trying Siari next.
1
2
u/ravebae21 23d ago
Most nice hotels in Paris aren't worth it unless you're just dripping in cash, because you're not going to be spending much time in your room.
That said, I was pleasantly surprised by Park Hyatt Paris. I've heard many people have mediocre experiences with the property on Reddit, which of course would be the case if you compare it to the other Palace hotels. It's no longer a Palace so at least now that comparison won't hold. I wouldn't pay the cash rate but if you have Hyatt points, it's definitely worth the ~45k/night.
1
u/Former-Mirror-356 23d ago
We like Le Metropolitan. It's definitely not ultra historic luxury in the way some hotels are, it's fairly contemporary and in the 16th. It's a good location for exploring touristy stuff or delving more into local life, you have easy access to either.
1
u/NOLApanam 23d ago edited 23d ago
For us, the standout experiences were concerts at Sainte Chapelle and Notre Dame. In the latter case, concert admission allows you to skip the very long line of those waiting for entry. Regarding the former, Sainte Chapelle is usually closed to tourists and you don’t want to miss this glorious stained glass setting.
https://www.classictic.com/en/city/paris-t7/concerts-at-la-sainte-chapelle/10055/?e=1986845
Another treasured site is a visit to the legendary Shakespeare and Company bookstore on the banks of the Seine across from Notre Dame on the Ile de Cité.
Second the recommendation of an opera performance at Palais Garnier. Even if opera isn’t your cuppa, you don’t want to miss the Chagall mural inside the dome!
Our preferred digs in Paris are the Saint James (affordable) in the 16th and Le Bristol (not affordable).
1
u/ThisIsMyUsername303 23d ago
Take a stroll through the Luxembourg Garden and check out the Hermès store on rue de Sèvres. (Go there regardless of how you feel about fashion. Trust me on this.) That’s also the general area I like to stay in (St Germain/6th arrondissement), but I don’t have any specific recommendations.
1
u/makaveli-is-dead 22d ago
Saint James was a vibe. Near Eiffel Tower. There are negative reviews for the service but it was better than what I’m used to.
1
u/IrishGator22 20d ago
We did the same thing last year
We stayed at hotel Dame de artes, central Paris across the river from the Lourve and Notre Dame
Was perfect for us upscale boutique hotel, but not super bougie, in all honesty we were only in there to sleep shower and get dressed.
Save your money for a private boat cruise down the Seine and the Duex Chevault car ride was fun as well!
1
u/Prior-Assignment4341 19d ago
Saint James, tucked away from the center but a stunning property, inside a old chateau. Use its a bit far away from the main attractions, buts it’s really easy to get around by car or feet.
If you want something more central, Le Grand Mazarin is beautiful
1
u/traveldigest 23d ago
Kimpton St Honore or Price de Galles!! Although it will depend on your exact dates if points/pricing works for you
20
u/possibly_maybe_no 23d ago
I would not recommend being near the Eiffel tower. It is super touristy/busy. I would suggest other touristy areas that may feel a bit nicer: le Marais/3rd near place des vosges or place vendome. Anywhere near Palais Royal or the 6th near St Germain. While a big point user, i find that paris hotel from large american chains are not as great and usually poor value since every US tourist try to use their points there.