Where to Stay when Visiting Paris or Nice, France
I used to like to stay at fancy, high dollar hotels. I realized I was spending way too much money for a room that I was spending just a few hours in. More important is location, service and price.
Paris
As you may have guessed, I have tried many different hotels in Paris during my numerous trips. Here’s my tip: in most cases, it is not worth spending more than $250 per night. I can tell you that I have spent as much as $500 per night and all I got was aggravation and terrible service.
Hôtel Régence Etoile – My current favorite hotel in Paris. Here’s why:
•Price per night is well under $250 (usually under $200).
•Friendly service.
•Rooms are not big but big enough (especially by European standards).
•Excellent location: walk a few minutes and you are on the Champs Elysées. You are also down the street from the Arc de Triomphe.
•If you request a room on the fifth floor with a view, you will also have a nice balcony (see top photo).
•If you landed at CDG (Charles de Gaulle airport), you can catch an Air France bus from the terminal that will drop you off a 5 minute (or less) walk from the hotel. Price for the bus ride: 13 Euros one way or 20 Euros round trip. Trip time is 35 – 60 minutes depending on traffic. (The Air France buses go to three different desitinations from the airport: you want to catch the bus that goes to Arc de Triomphe and get off at the second and final stop.) See far right column for more information.
There is also a Metro stop close by that will get you just about anywhere (even the airports or train station). But, if you are thinking about taking the Metro with your luggage, keep in mind that you will most likely have to carry your luggage up and down stairs. Also, take into consideration rush hour because the Metro can get very crowded (my most recent ride on the Paris Metro brought back memories of Tokyo where people are literally crammed into the cars).
The bad: Rooms can get a little warm. On this last visit, Paris was a little warmer than usual. The outside temperature was ok but my room was a little too warm with the windows closed (Paris can be a loud city … those noisy tourists!). I tried turning on the A/C but no luck. I finally called the front desk and I was politely told the A/C was only on during the summer.
Nice
Mercure Promenade des Anglais
Nothing special here as far as outside decorations or interior design. Interestingly, it is in the same building as the more expensive Le Meridien (Casino Ruhl is also in this building).
Why I like this hotel:
•Price! I paid in advance and saved an additional 30 Euros per night.
•Good service.
•Rooms are clean and spacious.
•The view – if you ask for a room facing the sea. No chairs on the balcony but it is still a good place to people watch from.
•Location: on the Promenade des Anglais and within walking distance to all the good restaurants and points of interests.
Getting there from the airport: A taxi ride is under 30 Euros or you can take the airport shuttle bus (they run about every 20 minutes) for 4 Euros (if I remember correctly). The bus stops in front of the hotel. The ride from the hotel to the airport took less than 15 minutes but it could take a lot more (same thing with a taxi) if traffic is heavy.
Top Photo: Taken from my fifth floor room at the Hôtel Régence Etoile in Paris.
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