Newbies Debating about staying in Latin Quarter or Marais?

Hello Everyone,

My husband and I are going on a sort of a last minute getaway in Feb for 5 days. We%26#39;ve been researching hotels all week on TA and other places. We are definitely interested in the Latin Quarter, but we also are attracted to the charm of Marais. At first, we figure since we%26#39;re going to be sightseeing all day, it might make better sense to stay in an inexpensive hotel, but after seeing some reviews of 2 star hotels,we%26#39;re not totally sure sure. We%26#39;re looking for a hotel around $150. We have looked at so many hotels, but still haven%26#39;t settled for any. Please help us with suggestions. We realize we need to book ASAP.

Thanks :-)

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Both areas are very nice. I don%26#39;t think you would be disappointed in either.

In the Latin Quarter, in your price range, I would stay at the Hotel Henri IV.

http://www.henri-paris-hotel.com/

In the Marais, I would stay at the Hotel de Lutece which is on the Ile St. Louis, between the Latin Quarter and the heart of the Marais (best of both worlds??)

http://www.hotel-ile-saintlouis.com/

another option in the Marais would be the Caron de Beaumarchais:

http://www.carondebeaumarchais.com/

Happy travels!

Les

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okigirl, I have just planned my 4th trip to Paris and I personally love the Latin Quarter. The Marais is charming, but for me nothing beats the Latin quarter. The last time I went I researched the small hotels for a long, long time. I finally settled on the Hotel St. Jacques in the middle of the Latin Quarter based on reviews here on TA and on other boards. I think it rates about 35-40 out of 1500 hotels here at TA. I loved it! It is charming, romantic, affordable, centrally located and need I say more? It is a two star, so don%26#39;t expect the ritz, but I could not have asked for more for the money. I am going back in March and staying at the Hotel College de France for something new to try. I think the Hotel St. Jacques had the charm you may be looking for over the College de France, but it would be a good back-up if it%26#39;s sold out. Both are very popular! Best of Luck!

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Don%26#39;t worry about transportation...there are plenty of metro stops in the Latin Quarter, and the walking there is safe and lovely.

Les

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I prefer the Marais to the Latin Quarter, but it really is subjective. Either way, you%26#39;ll be in areas that are fun to explore. Re: the Hotel Lutece mentioned above - it%26#39;s a little outside your $150 budget. Double rooms are about €164, which is around $200. For a hotel in the Marais closer to your budget, try Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais,

12 rue Vieille du Temple, 75004. Depending on the room%26#39;s location, the rates in 2005 went from €125-€162.

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A common visitor (and occasionally guidebook) error is to confuse the Latin Qtr with the area around the Metro St Michel.

The Latin Qtr runs south of the boul St Germain, near the Sorbonne and Pantheon. This is a great local area full of charm. So is the Marais. I am sure this does not help, but you reallty can not go wrong with either location.

As for booking, you could probably arrive on the 5th and have no problems finding a room. You%26#39;ll be fine.

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Here is a vote for Marais. Again can%26#39;t go wrong with either.

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I love the Marais but to stay, i would vote for the latin quarter for the location you are in the middle of the action and can walk to many places. In the Marais you are in the east of Paris.

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Thanks so much for your responses. So far, we%26#39;re looking at St. Jacques and Jeanne D%26#39;Arc. They both have gotten stellar reviews. We%26#39;re not really sure sure which one outweighs the other, but we definitely have to decide soon.