Paris Hostels?

[mattsf]

Hi all,

Has anyone booked a private room at a hostel before? I'll be spending a few days in Paris on my own. I'm young (25) and don't have much cash to spend, so I feel like this might be the best option for me. Do you have any recommendations?

I'm looking at these hostels in the Marais: www.mije.com/presentation_individuels_uk.html .

6 rue de Fourcy – 75004 Paris
11 rue du Fauconnier – 75004 Paris
12 rue des Barres – 75004 Paris

Let me know what you think. Also, there's an added bonus that I'm gay, and I hear the Marais is a fun scene to check out.

Also, I've been reading a lot of posts on this forum, and I have to say it's pretty awesome! I am so excited to return to France. I haven't been since I first stayed with French family in Vitre when I was 17!

Cheers,

Matt

[denise]

:)Hi Mattsf...welcome to the forum, I am glad you find it awesome.

Sorry I don't know anything about these particular hostels, except they are really well situated and very good price.

I have stayed in hostels in Dublin, double room with en suite shower, and they were excellent, even as a middle aged couple we found them clean, good value and a great way to meet other travellers in the communal areas.

Denise
love from England xx

[Jody]

Like Denise, I just know the area is excellent. The only thing is that website does not say if the room has a private bath or you have to share.

You might take a look at this website for action on the gay scene

www.parismarais.com/tips-on-gay-life.htm

[jazz]

Hi Matt,

I haven't stayed in a hostel in Paris, but if I did, MIJE would be my first choice. I love the Marais and these hostels sound beautiful. I have heard only good things about MIJE and the only 'problem' seems to be availability. Book ASAP!

Here are three sites for you to check should your choice not be available. Two are for hostels in Paris and the other a site which includes hotels, apartments, hostels and Bed and Breakfasts in Paris for 35Euro/night.

www.hostels.com/paris
www.hostelparis.com/findabed.php/ChosenCity.Paris/ChosenCountry.France
www.paris35.com/2250/paris-accommodation-hotel-1.html

The Marais is a fabulous gay centre, yet welcoming to others. The ParisMarais newsletter site in a post above is definitely the best for you to read. Don't forget to read their back issues.

There are two other areas for great nightlife, rue de la Roquette and rue de Lappe (metro Bastille, or a short walk from the Marais) and rue Oberkampf, both are in the 11th arrondissement...relatively close to the Marais.

www.igougo.com/attractions-reviews-b102653-Paris-Rue_de_Lappe.html
www.eurocheapo.com/blog/paris-a-walk-through-oberkampf.html

When you arrive, perhaps buy a copy of Pariscope, available at any newstand. It is cheap and a thorough review of everything that is going on in Paris.
www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/france/pariscop.htm
The Timeout travel guide has an entire gay oriented section and is generally an excellent guide. Enjoy yourself and write and tell us about your impressions of the MIJE hostels. I am very curious to hear directly about MIJE.

[Truffaut]

Hi, Matt. The location is outstanding if you want easy access to the Marais. I don't know anything about hostels, per se, but they look nice.

The top spots for clean-cut Marais nightlife would be Open Cafe (rue des Archives & rue Ste-Croix de la Bretonnerie), Cox Bar (rue des Archives), and the bar around the corner on Bretonnerie from Open (can't remember the name). There are, of course, many others. There are also a number of places that are a bit more colorful that can't be discussed on the forum . You can private message me if you need more information about that.

[Megan]

Hi Matt

I have stayed in hostels frequently and booked private rooms and they were fine, the only problem that I had was that the private rooms do book up really quickly and they are often twin rooms so it is almost false economy as you can get a cheap hotel in Paris for pretty much the cost of a private room. In fact on the last Paris trip that I was going to hostel in ( that was 10 years ago mind you ) I ended up at Hotel Blanche at Rue Blanche in Montmatre ( just down from the Blanche metro ) - not near the Marais tho as it was cheaper than a private room. I found it fine but when I walkd past last week for old times sake it was looking a bit down in the mouth so who knows? I would reccomend staying in the Marais and being right in the thick of it especially if you want to enjoy the nightlife and at 25 thats exactly what you should be doing.

I can say that I have stayed at the Peace and Love Hostel in Rue Lafayette not fare from the Gre du Nord and the Gare de L'est and that the private rooms there were for 2 people. I was there on a rugby trip of all things watching the All Blacks play France ( and they won that one ) quite a few years ago now but I see on their website that the smallest is 2 beds only . We were in a four room but I think we only slept in it for about 3 hours both nights we were there!

If you do go for a dorm room - take earplugs !!!

Good Luck !

[Truffaut]

If the hostel doesn't work out, you could try Hotel Eldorado on rue des Dames in the Batignolles neighborhood. It's just a couple of blocks from our apartment and it's a terrific neighborhood with good transportation lines. It's about a 20 minute metro ride from the Marais. The rooms are only 25 euros if you want a shared shower/toilet and 35 to 45 if you want your own shower/toilet. It gets great reviews from lots of travel magazines.

[luckyluc]

Bonjour Matt and welcome to OPF,

I cannot help you with the hostels , but my guide (in French) "Paris pas cher" also have a hotel room for 35 Euros or 40 Euros if you like your own wc/shower.
It is on rue Tiquetonne, so in the section of Paris that would like to explore.

Hotel Tiquetonne:
6 rue Tiquetonne. 2e.
M° Etienne Marcel ou Les Halles.
Tél. [phone] (if you phone Paris from abroad remove the first zero, also if you are using a foreigh service cellphone. But if you phone from outside Paris you will need the first zero)

[Truffaut]

Luc, that's a good suggestion. I've always heard very good things about Hotel Tiquetonne. You certainly can't beat the location for being right in the middle of things, yet Tiquetonne is very quiet. And it's a stone's throw from ATPC!

[phread]

MIJE hostels in the 4th are REALLY nice. One of them is in a building from the middle ages... amazing.

[mattsf]

Thanks for your wonderful suggestions!! I'm still planning my itinerary and will let you know where I end up.

[mattsf]

Hi all -

I emailed MIJE, and they were already booked (even though you can't book until 45 days before your trip). Boo.

So I'm going to suck it up and pay for a hotel. I'm really keen on the Hotel Tiquetonne. I tried calling for a reservation, but it is really late there, and they said to call back in the morning. I'll keep you updated.

-Matt

[gertie]

I'm not very fond of that MIJE hostel web site. I could find no pictures of the rooms, no pictures of the facilities. I'd never consider booking anywhere under such conditions. I realize they're on a budget but there are a few digital pictures on there. If they could take a few and post them, they could have put up more. Personally, I would steer very far clear of that.

[tania44]

Hi,

Try Gabriel Hotel Marais. It's a gay friendly hotel very beautiful with a Spa.
www.paris-hotel-design.com

[keylimejet]

Just saw this article on Paris hostels and thought I'd add it to the thread.

www.girlsguidetoparis.com/whatshot/blog-post/Cheap-and-Chic-Hostels/1343

[justjools]

Thanks for the tips folks, must say the Eldorado looks great from their website, love the jaunty music on the homepage too! Do hope it's not booked up!