Paris hotel for family - where to stay?
Sep 24th, 2019, 01:31 PM
#1
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Paris hotel for family - where to stay?
I’m hoping to get some advice from those who are familiar with Paris. We are a family of 5 will be using points to stay at an IHG hotel. And...we want to take the hop on hop off bus for most of our sightseeing transportation. We’ve narrowed it down to three options but would like some input from experienced travelers to Paris.
Holiday Inn Montmartre is 30k (x2 rooms) points per night. Easy on the budget for points – but not close to any hop on hop off bus stops. Closest stop to hop on is Gare Nord. We would factor in taking Uber occasionally.
Holiday Inn Express Canal de la Villette is 35k (x2 rooms) points per night and has breakfast – which is appealing because feeding a family of 5 for breakfast – this would be a good savings. Not close to any of the hop on hop off stops either. We would factor in taking Uber occasionally.
Holiday Inn Notre Dame is 45k (x2) points per night plus 30E per night. Great location! Not as easy on the budget (points). I’m pretty sure we won’t have enough points by the time we really need to have it booked to get it free.
Any insight from Paris travelers that can help us narrow down our options? I’m liking the HIE Canal de la Villette because breakfast is included and the points being lower. I also like HI Montmartre because of the low cost (points). I’ve read some mixed reviews about the area being sketchy though. HI Notre Dame will probably end up not being free (again, points)….so that would add about 540E.
Help, please?
Thanks!
Holiday Inn Montmartre is 30k (x2 rooms) points per night. Easy on the budget for points – but not close to any hop on hop off bus stops. Closest stop to hop on is Gare Nord. We would factor in taking Uber occasionally.
Holiday Inn Express Canal de la Villette is 35k (x2 rooms) points per night and has breakfast – which is appealing because feeding a family of 5 for breakfast – this would be a good savings. Not close to any of the hop on hop off stops either. We would factor in taking Uber occasionally.
Holiday Inn Notre Dame is 45k (x2) points per night plus 30E per night. Great location! Not as easy on the budget (points). I’m pretty sure we won’t have enough points by the time we really need to have it booked to get it free.
Any insight from Paris travelers that can help us narrow down our options? I’m liking the HIE Canal de la Villette because breakfast is included and the points being lower. I also like HI Montmartre because of the low cost (points). I’ve read some mixed reviews about the area being sketchy though. HI Notre Dame will probably end up not being free (again, points)….so that would add about 540E.
Help, please?
Thanks!
Sep 24th, 2019, 01:51 PM
#2
IMO, spend the extra $ and stay Notre Dame. The other 2 are just too far away from where you will
want to be. In the ND area you can walk to so many things without even using the hoho bus.
It’s in the part of Paris that you’ve seen and fell in love with. Is it touristy? Yes, but that’s what you are, a tourist. My advice to anyone going to Paris is to stay as close to the Seine as possible.
You can also get the bat-o-bus....a hoho option on The Seine, or a combo hoho bus and bat-o-bus River ticket.
As far as breakfast goes, there are so many places to get a coffee and wonderful pastry etc. that are
not expensive at all.
Just sayin’
want to be. In the ND area you can walk to so many things without even using the hoho bus.
It’s in the part of Paris that you’ve seen and fell in love with. Is it touristy? Yes, but that’s what you are, a tourist. My advice to anyone going to Paris is to stay as close to the Seine as possible.
You can also get the bat-o-bus....a hoho option on The Seine, or a combo hoho bus and bat-o-bus River ticket.
As far as breakfast goes, there are so many places to get a coffee and wonderful pastry etc. that are
not expensive at all.
Just sayin’
Sep 24th, 2019, 01:54 PM
#3
I am far from expert having only been to Paris once, but I'd pick the Notre Dame location without hesitation. The other two are too far out for moving a family of 5 around for the things you want to see and do. I think you'd more than make up the money difference by saving the time and money of "commuting" from an arrondisement further from everything you'll likely want to see and do. Breakfast is easy, just find the nearest bakery 
Sep 24th, 2019, 02:26 PM
#4
Having traveled with our two kids, I am a big fan of having the hotel breakfast included. It’s much more convenient than going elsewhere to a cafe, because family members can set their own time to eat. You won’t have to round up 5 people at the same time, to leave for breakfast. So you can relax and have a real cup of coffee. Been there, done that with kids! Hotels there can often have a very nice breakfast buffet.
I also recommend the batobus as another option for all day hoponhopoff transport. Gives you a nice view of the city from the Seine. When our family of four was there one rainy afternoon, we got snacks and rode the glass-covered batobus around its loop till the rain stopped. It was cheap for a family pass, as I recall. It does stop running sometime after dark, though, so be aware of that.
Will the Notre Dame location be a busy, congested area? That might be a concern. I don’t know. Being near the Gare Nord stop might be helpful, depending. Will you be taking Eurostar to London?
I also recommend the batobus as another option for all day hoponhopoff transport. Gives you a nice view of the city from the Seine. When our family of four was there one rainy afternoon, we got snacks and rode the glass-covered batobus around its loop till the rain stopped. It was cheap for a family pass, as I recall. It does stop running sometime after dark, though, so be aware of that.
Will the Notre Dame location be a busy, congested area? That might be a concern. I don’t know. Being near the Gare Nord stop might be helpful, depending. Will you be taking Eurostar to London?
Last edited by MoBro; Sep 24th, 2019 at 02:34 PM.
Sep 24th, 2019, 02:44 PM
#5
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I would opt for the Notre Dame location. We too have traveled with our kids and rarely have breakfast at the hotel. I would not worry about that at all. The first time we went to Paris, our kids were 8 and 10 and we did not have breakfast at the hotel at all. Every family is different on what appeals to them, but for us the kids (and us) enjoyed going to the nearby boulangerie to pick something out.
Sep 24th, 2019, 02:50 PM
#6
I don't like to have to use public transportation every time I leave my hotel. I want to be in a central location that is walkable to most of what I want to see and do. I especially wouldn't want to be dragging a family of 5 around on Metro every time you want to go anywhere at all.
Sep 24th, 2019, 02:51 PM
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Can't really help with hotels except to say that La Villette as an area would probably be my choice among those you've got.
And taking the HOHO bus is a terrible idea. It's expensive and slow and the Paris transportation system is so easy to use there is no need to hitch yourself to a slow-moving bus where you may have to wait and wait and wait at various stops because it's full when it arrives. Just walk and use the RATP. The Batobus is a good idea. I find it expensive and slow (compared to walking), but if it's bad weather it's a good idea.
And taking the HOHO bus is a terrible idea. It's expensive and slow and the Paris transportation system is so easy to use there is no need to hitch yourself to a slow-moving bus where you may have to wait and wait and wait at various stops because it's full when it arrives. Just walk and use the RATP. The Batobus is a good idea. I find it expensive and slow (compared to walking), but if it's bad weather it's a good idea.
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Sep 24th, 2019, 07:14 PM
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From another of your posts it looks like your children are two teen boys and one preteen girl. They’d do fine using the Metro, IMO. Once you get the hang of it, it’s simple, fast, and inexpensive.
As far as where to stay, I’d probably go with the Notre Dame location - assuming that most of what you want to see is the usual (Louvre, etc). You won’t need any transportation - everything is very close. Wherever you go, have a wonderful time. It’s so special to share that with your children.
As far as where to stay, I’d probably go with the Notre Dame location - assuming that most of what you want to see is the usual (Louvre, etc). You won’t need any transportation - everything is very close. Wherever you go, have a wonderful time. It’s so special to share that with your children.
Sep 24th, 2019, 07:19 PM
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I don't know how many days you were thinking of doing the HOHO bus. Without going into the merit using HOHO, compare HOHO vs. Paris public transit. I think around the cost of doing 1 day HOHO, you can get a weekly unlimited Paris transit pass, Navigo Decouverte https://parisbytrain.com/paris-train...go-decouverte/ for 27.80EU total. this includes RER to and from the airport as well as trip to Versailles. Unlike HOHO, the Paris public transit network is extensive but without guides.
The La Villette location is not that bad. It has several Metro stations not too far from the hotel to whisk you into Paris without being encumbered by surface traffic jam that snarls HOHO.
I would like point you about any location near Notre Dame. It is nothing to freak out, but in case you learn about it later and start worrying about, it is better to understand the issue now. The Notre Dame fire had an impact on environment. You decide for yourself if this matters to you. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/...fire-lead.html
The La Villette location is not that bad. It has several Metro stations not too far from the hotel to whisk you into Paris without being encumbered by surface traffic jam that snarls HOHO.
I would like point you about any location near Notre Dame. It is nothing to freak out, but in case you learn about it later and start worrying about, it is better to understand the issue now. The Notre Dame fire had an impact on environment. You decide for yourself if this matters to you. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/...fire-lead.html
Sep 24th, 2019, 07:28 PM
#10
>> And...we want to take the hop on hop off bus for most of our sightseeing transportation. <<
Bad bad idea. Very!
>>And taking the HOHO bus is a terrible idea. It's expensive and slow and the Paris transportation system is so easy to use there is no need to hitch yourself to a slow-moving bus where you may have to wait and wait and wait at various stops because it's full when it arrives. Just walk and use the RATP. The Batobus is a good idea.<<
Ditto
H-o-H-o buses are very expensive (even if you get some sort of family discount) and very slow and extremely inefficient for actual sightseeing visits. It sounds like you mean to take it from site to site, 'hop off' visit whichever site, then blithely 'hop on' another bus for the next destination. IRL it ain't that simple. They are slow, do not runt to a set schedule, and one may not come for 20 or 30 minutes, and when one arrives it is too full to board more than one person -- and there will be FiVE of you.
Just don't
Bad bad idea. Very!
>>And taking the HOHO bus is a terrible idea. It's expensive and slow and the Paris transportation system is so easy to use there is no need to hitch yourself to a slow-moving bus where you may have to wait and wait and wait at various stops because it's full when it arrives. Just walk and use the RATP. The Batobus is a good idea.<<
Ditto
H-o-H-o buses are very expensive (even if you get some sort of family discount) and very slow and extremely inefficient for actual sightseeing visits. It sounds like you mean to take it from site to site, 'hop off' visit whichever site, then blithely 'hop on' another bus for the next destination. IRL it ain't that simple. They are slow, do not runt to a set schedule, and one may not come for 20 or 30 minutes, and when one arrives it is too full to board more than one person -- and there will be FiVE of you.
Just don't
Sep 24th, 2019, 07:40 PM
#11
IMO the Holiday Inn Notre Dame would be by FAR the most convenient location for family of 5. Take the €€ you save not taking the H-o-H-o buses and use it for the extra cost for that hotel.
I understand why some would recommend the La Villette, but with a group of five and some going and coming in 'sub groups' independently, that would be a more difficuly location. The Notre Dame location is sooooo close to so many sites from the islands, to the Louvre, to the Museé d'Orsay, to the Tulleries, to the Luxembourg Gardens, to the Marais, etc etc etc. and is very near the Saint-Michel Notre Dame RER/Metro stations and the Vedettes du Pont Neuf
I understand why some would recommend the La Villette, but with a group of five and some going and coming in 'sub groups' independently, that would be a more difficuly location. The Notre Dame location is sooooo close to so many sites from the islands, to the Louvre, to the Museé d'Orsay, to the Tulleries, to the Luxembourg Gardens, to the Marais, etc etc etc. and is very near the Saint-Michel Notre Dame RER/Metro stations and the Vedettes du Pont Neuf
Sep 24th, 2019, 07:46 PM
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To be of better help, can you let us know
- kids' ages
- dates you plan to visit
- what sites you most want to visit
- any particular interests
Sep 24th, 2019, 08:04 PM
#14
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Paris is a very walkable city. On two different trips with grandkids ( 12-13 ) we walked almost everywhere. We did take an occasional taxi which I realize with 5 people would be difficult but the metro and bus are very easy to use.
Again to rhe the question of Ho Ho, don’t for all the reasons stated.
Again to rhe the question of Ho Ho, don’t for all the reasons stated.
Sep 24th, 2019, 08:08 PM
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Janis, did they mention subgroups? Because it’s possible they’re all sticking together.
however, OP, I think it’s possible you’re seeing a false economy. I stayed near ND for half the trip and at the generator hostel (not central) for the other half. In some ways the second place was better—I got more bang for the buck and it was much closer to metro. But there was nothing around I wanted to see and my metro costs tripled. That would really add up for a family of 5.
so go with ND. You’ll be so happy you did. Buy points, or just consider it money well spent.
however, OP, I think it’s possible you’re seeing a false economy. I stayed near ND for half the trip and at the generator hostel (not central) for the other half. In some ways the second place was better—I got more bang for the buck and it was much closer to metro. But there was nothing around I wanted to see and my metro costs tripled. That would really add up for a family of 5.
so go with ND. You’ll be so happy you did. Buy points, or just consider it money well spent.
Sep 24th, 2019, 09:41 PM
#17
>>Janis, did they mention subgroups? Because it’s possible they’re all sticking together.<<
Nope -- but in the other locations 'sub groups' wouldn't even be an option. If the boys are teenagers - being more central would allow people to split up and see/do different things and not be connected at the hip 24/7.
Nope -- but in the other locations 'sub groups' wouldn't even be an option. If the boys are teenagers - being more central would allow people to split up and see/do different things and not be connected at the hip 24/7.
Sep 25th, 2019, 06:32 AM
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Wow lots of helpful information and it does sound like ND may be our best bet. Even after the fire it seems like it's proximity to the metro stations may still make it the better option. (Side note: if we're using metro regularly - wouldn't it be better to go to the lower points hotels and just use the metro from there?)
We really don't know what exact sights we'll go see. I know we'll go to the Eiffel Tower and to the Trocadero, the bridge with the locks (?) is one of their requests and I want to make it up to Sacre Coeur as well. The kids requested the HOHO bus because of their previous experience with it. The ride around to see everything and then decide where to get off is what was appealing to them. As janisj mentioned - they are 2 teen boys and 1 pre-teen girl. We can't split up while there.
Thank you so much for all the information! IT's helpful to hear from those who experienced!
We really don't know what exact sights we'll go see. I know we'll go to the Eiffel Tower and to the Trocadero, the bridge with the locks (?) is one of their requests and I want to make it up to Sacre Coeur as well. The kids requested the HOHO bus because of their previous experience with it. The ride around to see everything and then decide where to get off is what was appealing to them. As janisj mentioned - they are 2 teen boys and 1 pre-teen girl. We can't split up while there.
Thank you so much for all the information! IT's helpful to hear from those who experienced!
Sep 25th, 2019, 07:31 AM
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The "bridge with locks," Thank God, has been dismantled. It was a complete disgrace to Paris.
There is hardly any hotel in Paris that doesn't have "proximity to métro stations." There are 16 lines and 302 stations. Choosing a hotel should not center around being close to a métro station, though choosing a hotel that's close to stations on several different lines can make sense.
There is hardly any hotel in Paris that doesn't have "proximity to métro stations." There are 16 lines and 302 stations. Choosing a hotel should not center around being close to a métro station, though choosing a hotel that's close to stations on several different lines can make sense.
Sep 25th, 2019, 08:58 AM
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Have you checked out the Holiday Inn Paris - St. Germain des Près? We stayed there a couple of time when we took our uncle to see family in Paris because they had parking and accessible rooms which he needed. It is a great location on the left bank near major metro and bus stops, and walking distance to the Luxembourg Gardens, Le Bon Marché which has a wonderful food market and the Rue de Rennes is a great shopping street.
