London England and Paris France - Hotel Recommendations

[james t kirk]

Long story short, I'm planning a trip to London for a few days and then on to Paris.

I've only been to London once before and it was just a pass through on my way north.

So I need some hotel recommendations.

(No, I'm not there to hobby so this is of no consideration.)

I want a place along the lines of The Germain in Toronto, or the Fairmont (2'nd choice).

Has to be centrally located as I don't want to travel a lot.

Ditto for Paris.

I'm sure that there are lots of world travelers out there in Terbland who can give some pointers.

Also looking for recommendations as to must sees in London and Paris.

Obviously there's the biggies:

Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Eiffel Tower, Versailles, Louvre, what else?

 

[james t kirk]

bump

 

[Geoff]

doesn't really matter where, just get your wallet out, ouch !!

 

[papasmerf]

London has an excellent transportation system. Talk to the travel agents and get a multiple zone metro pass.

While I have neve been to Paris people tell me the best place to stay when going to Paris is Germany.

 

[randygirl]

Take me, I will help you figure it out when we get there. heh

 

[Fighting_Amish]

Both cities have great transit systems and anyplace can be easily accessible via the Metro.

Try to stay around Russell Square in London, there are several hotels, The Imperial Hotel, Royal National. These are the equivalent of 2.5 star hotels in Toronto, but they cost the same as a 4 star. Location is everything as they are a quick walk to Picadilly Circus, Covent Garden, the British Museum, Soho, and Trafalgar Square with Buckingham Palace being a few minutes away via Tube.

Can't comment on where to stay in Paris as I've always stayed with relatives who live in section 11 (again close to a great Metro that takes you to all of the museums and tourist destinations).

 

[Dewalt]

www.hotwire.com my friend. I was in the Pigale district last summer of Paris for a week and saved 60% on my hotel. 10 min subway ride to the Louvre. When I saw the commericals, I thought "what a crock, no website can do that" but I was proven wrong. Stop in at the local boulangerie early in the morning and spend time along the Siene. That moment will stay with you the rest of your life.

Happy travels!

 

[xix]

www.hotwire.com my friend. I was in the Pigale district last summer of Paris for a week and saved 60% on my hotel. 10 min subway ride to the Louvre. When I saw the commericals, I thought "what a crock, no website can do that" but I was proven wrong.
Happy travels!

I be careful with Hotwire.
I was in Phoenix 2 weeks ago. I asked my brother to book us a room close to the airport. He did with Holiday Inn Suites, there was a Holiday Inn Express down the road. My brother forgot to give me the confirmation # so I chow up give them my last name. they take our credit card and swipe it.
At 4am we leave the hotel and see a receipt for the room not really looking at it. We get home a few days later my brother asks why we got charged for the room when he already paid.
IT turns out when I gave the hotel my last name they confused us with someone from San Francisco instead of TO. It turns the bill was for $43 USD from the hotel and my brother got charged $67USD by Hotwire.

Becareful with Hotwire, I double check.

He complained about it.

 

[james t kirk]

Thanks guys for your help.

Also planning a pilgrimage to the Vimy Memorial and the French countryside.

 

[james t kirk]

One phone call into copycraigs will save you hundreds if not thousands off your hotel bill. You are always welcome to call in 24 hours!

The Berkley above is listed at 300 pounds a night. Can you save me some dough on that hotel?

 

[Dewalt]

Dude if you are going to Normandy, check out www.battlebus.com they do a tour of the Canadian beaches on D-Day. Truely inspiring and horrific. I did it last year, was totally worth 2x the price.

 

[toguy5252]

Try looking on tablethotels.com. It is great site which i have used many times in the the US and Europe.

 

[Musketeer]

For Paris, I loved the Rue Cler area, a stone's throw away from the Eiffel Tower, Ecole Militaire and Les Invalides (Napoleon's Tomb).

Rue Cler is a market street where no traffic is allowed and is full of delightful shops, boulangeries, cheese and wine shops and plenty of outside cafes and restaurants. Several good mid-priced hotels around the corner. I stayed at Hotel la Bourdonnais and was very pleased. I paid $1000 for a week with a full breakfast included. Buy a Paris Visite card ora Paris Museum Card. Well worth it. No hassles with museum entry or transportation. great discounts to major attractions as well.

Passes are available through Rail Europe (just Google).

Rick Steves offers great advice:

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/france/parisitin.htm

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/france/france_menu.htm

http://www.raileurope.ca/activities/paris-visite/index.html

 

[jetfuel]

Hotels.co.uk...great site that I used when I was in Europe. Obviously you would want a place in Zone 1, I think someone mentioned Russell Square or around the Great Portland st.

Not sure how you are getting to Paris from there, I would check out the Eurostar from now. Tablet hotels is a great site but i believe there is a membership fee.

 

[Dewalt]

Oh good choice Musketeer! I have spent a lot of time in that area but have never booked a hotel there. I think I will next time.

Oh, btw my favorite part of the French Military Museum that celebrates French Victories is that it is empty of visitors

 

[mandrill]

The transit pass in London is called the "Oyster Card" and it is somewhat cheaper than paying fares in cash. You buy them at stationers' stores and add value to them.

Very important!!!!! Be aware that there is a brutal surcharge on cars for driving in central London during the day and that your car rental company will pay the charge for you after the fact and then levy a $500 "handling fee" for doing so on your credit card!!!!!!!!

 

[C Dick]

Hotels in Paris and London are so expensive, we normally stay in nice hotels, but there we stayed in crap hotels. Our favorite things were the boat tour on the Sienne and on the Thames, it is a great way to see the city.

 

[james t kirk]

The transit pass in London is called the "Oyster Card" and it is somewhat cheaper than paying fares in cash. You buy them at stationers' stores and add value to them.

Very important!!!!! Be aware that there is a brutal surcharge on cars for driving in central London during the day and that your car rental company will pay the charge for you after the fact and then levy a $500 "handling fee" for doing so on your credit card!!!!!!!!

Thanks,

But I have 0 intention of driving in London, or Britain for that matter.

I rented a car last time I was there and it was beyond confusing. Dangerous even. You have to think about every move you make, it's like being 16 all over again. And the roundabouts? No way man.

Easier to take a cab or the Tube.

 

[james t kirk]

Hotels in Paris and London are so expensive, we normally stay in nice hotels, but there we stayed in crap hotels. Our favorite things were the boat tour on the Sienne and on the Thames, it is a great way to see the city.

Right now the pound is 1.50.

That's a bargoon by historical standards.

I'm looking for a decent place, but on the other hand, don't feel like paying 700 Euros a night either.

 

[ctb]

In Paris one of the coolest musuems was Rodin's home. If you like sculptures you love it there. It has a garden with the thinking man statue outside. it's located just around the corner from Neopolean's tomb. I wanted to get to the catacombs just not enough time not sure if they are open right now though as they had a problem with vandals.
Check out www.tripadvisor.com
and http://www.ricksteves.com alot of advise there.