Cahier de Paris English

Central location, cheap rooms, great value

Martin — Sat, 19 May 2012 10:03:05 +0000

Situated on Rue de Lyon between Place de Bastille and Gare de Lyon, the 3-star Corail Hotel is near transport, entertainment and tourist sights. Lyon Station (Gare de Lyon) is one of the major transport centers in Paris, with direct RER trains to Disneyland, as well as metro lines to all the important locations of the city. The Bastille quarter, neighbouring the historic Marais district, is renown for its colorful and vibrant nightlife. The Seine river, the charming island of Ile Saint-Louis and the Latin Quarter across the Seine are also within easy reach on foot from the hotel.

Corail Hotel provides single, twin, double and triple rooms, making the hotel perfect for families as well as for couples or individual visitors. The rooms are simple but adequate and elegant, with a tasteful décor and warm colors. Equipped with air-conditioning, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, direct telephone, free Wi-Fi and personal safe, the rooms offer all the comfort a visitor needs. The best, however, is the price of the rooms. With rates starting at around 80 euros a night (depending on length of stay and season) the hotel is as cheap as a 2-star budget place, but with the high standards that you would expect in a 3-star establishment.

If price matters but at the same time you wouldn’t want to compromise on the standard or be located in the outer districts, Corail Hotel is a great choice. Comfort, central location and value for money!

Corail Hotel ***
23, rue de Lyon
75012 Paris

http://www.corailparishotel.com/

Contemporary designer hotel in a trendy Paris quarter

Martin — Wed, 16 May 2012 21:39:49 +0000

Overlooking a beautiful green park, the 3-star Gardette Park Hotel is in a very tranquil location. It is, however, in the center of some of the liveliest and trendiest districts of Paris, only a short walk from the Oberkampf, Place de la Bastille, Marais or the Canal Saint-Martin neighborhoods, full of bars and cafes, buzzing with excitement and life. With several metro stops around the hotel, the other top Paris sights are also easily accessible.

The hotel has just been renovated by a famous French interior designer-architect, who created a warm, welcoming and colorful atmosphere. The contemporary design is simple but effective, with a geometric pattern dominating the rooms and with matching modern furniture. The rooms come in different sizes, ranging from singles to triples and a suite for 4 people, and they all have air-conditioning, a plazma TV and free Wi-Fi. Other services provided by the hotel include room service, dry cleaning, lift, newspapers and reservation of restaurants and tickets.

Gardette Park Hotel is a peaceful haven in the center of all the action of city, providing a relaxing setting and class. It is the ideal base to explore the vibrant, bohemian and authentic Paris, but at the same time to have a good night’s sleep.

Gardette Park Hotel ***
1, rue du Général Blaise
75011 Paris

Website: http://www.hotelgardettepark.com/

New contemporary Paris designer hotel in the Marais-Bastille quarter

Martin — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:50:44 +0000

There used to be a cute little boutique hotel in the Marais-Bastille quarter known as Hotel Lyon Mulhouse – the hotel has just went through a total transformation and re-opned its doors, now with a new name: Hotel Original. The location, of course, hasn’t changed: it is still a great place, only a couple of minutes from the historic parts of the Marais around Place des Vosges and also from the vibrant, eclectic and chic Place de la Bastille. From outside the hotel hasn’t changed – what has changed, and in a significant way, is the interior.

The intention of famous French designer Stella Cadente was to create a world of poetry and fantasy. The look is truly unconventional, unique. The rooms have their own individual style, built around the themes of a magic forest, Alice in Wonderland or a mermaid paradise. The atmosphere is extravagant, contemporary and chic, and the facilities are simply luxurious.

The hotel was known for its friendly staff and great service – and it hasn’t changed either – but with the new trendy designer look it has entered a different, very exclusive club. There are only a handful of Paris boutique hotels that match the unique designer style: the new Hotel Original is one of its kind for sure!

Hotel Original

8, boulevard Beaumarchais – 75011 Paris

Official website: www.hoteloriginalparis.com

Budget hotel in Latin Quarter near Rue Mouffetard

Martin — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:10:47 +0000

If budget is limited but you don’t want to be way out in the outer suburbs, a great option on the Left Bank of Paris is he 2-star Grand Hotel Jeanne D’Arc. Situated in the 13th arrondissement near the Seine bank, charming Ile Saint-Louis, lively Rue Mouffetard, the Sorbonne University, the Pantheon and other top sights, the hotel is perfect as a base to explore a big part of Paris on foot, and for the rest there is the reliable metro. There are four stops within a few minutes walk, and a little further there is also a RER line at the Austerlitz Station. It’s a lively quarter on its own right, and entertainment and great food are never far.

The hotel is pretty simple as far as design is concerned, it is definitely not one of those trendy boutique hotels, but for those who just need a decent room, it is ideal. Rooms are quite spacious with Parisian standards, comfortable and clean. There are flatscreen TV sets in the rooms, as well as free internet at the reception and a lift. For a budget hotel it is really well equipped.

And it comes at a fabulous price: you get value for your money at Grand Hotel Jeanne D’Arc indeed.

Grand Hotel Jeanne D’Arc **

43, boulevard St Marcel
75013 Paris

http://grandhoteljeannedarcparis.com/

Great value boutique hotel in an elegant Paris district

Martin — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 13:30:10 +0000

Located in the elegant and upmarket Wagram district near the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysees, Monceau Park and the Palais des Congres, the 3-star Hotel Champerret-Elysees is a charming independent Paris boutique hotel with great services, a friendly and attentive staff and – best of all – very attractive rates. The hotel is not in the absolute center of the city, but the location is fairly central and convenient, and for those who’d rather be in a quiet neighborhood it is just perfect. There is a metro stop right next to the hotel – Porte de Champerret – and another couple metro as well as a RER station within 5 minutes of walk. Wide, tree-lined avenues and boulevards criss-cross the district, there are many elegant but also cheaper restaurants and cafés, shops of all kind. The proximity of the Congress Palace and La Défense makes the hotel ideal for business visitors, but it is just as great as a base to discover the sights, museums and monuments of Paris.

Hotel Champerret-Elysees is one of those little charming boutique hotels Paris is famous for, classic in style and with an elegant and relaxing atmosphere. A tranquil lounge opens from the reception area, providing a comfortable and ambient place to relax. There is also a little bar for those who would like to have a quiet drink or meet other travelers. The staff in the bar as well as in the reception is extremely helpful and friendly, service is one of the strong points of the hotel. Services – apart from the expected air-conditioning, elevator, free Wi-Fi, TV and so – also include some extras, such as laundry service, games and film hire, baby sitting. There are also rooms accessible to people with disabilities, a business center with hi-tech facilities and an excursion desk to help guests book tours, restaurants and theaters. The rooms, ranging from basic through classic and standard to superior, are simple yet elegant and very homely. Varying in size, the rooms are well arranged, with room for a desk, cupboard and enough living space even in tha basic room. Decorated with soft and warm colors, they provide peace, quiet and comfort for visitors.

Despite being a 3-star establishment, Hotel Champerret-Elysees offers rooms for as much as budget hotels do, but you will get the services and amenities of a high class hotel. If someone doesn’t mind to take the metro to get around in Paris – actually a must regardless wherever you stay – in exchange they will get extremely good value for their money.

Hotel Champerret-Elysees ***

129, avenue de Villiers – 75017 Paris

http://www.champerret-elysees.fr/

Contemporary designer style boutique hotel in the Marais

Martin — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:53:22 +0000

Paris is renowned for its cute independent boutique hotels, ranging from classic and charming to extravagant and futuristic. A new face on the designer hotels scene is the 3-star Hotel De Neuve, in the lively and historic Marais quarter of Paris. Located near Saint-Paul metro station, it is a perfect base for visitors to discover Paris. Although the hotels’ street is quiet, Marais is buzzing with action. Tourist attractions such as Place des Vosges, the Pompidou Centre, the Seine bank and Ile Saint-Louis are all just a short stroll away.

Stepping in to the hotel a contemporary décor and a tranquil atmosphere await the visitor. The rooms are elegant and stylish, with the same contemporary design. Light and warm colors dominate with a touch of purple thrown in, round and square shapes forming geometrical patterns. Equipped with all the modern amenities one would expect, such as air-conditioning, flat screen TV, free Wi-Fi and more, the rooms are just as practical as elegant. They are the average Parisian size, which is not that big, but adequate and comfortable. The secret is in the details and the overall harmony. The staff is attentive and helpful, a great source of information for the visitor.

Hotel De Neuve is a reasonably priced hotel, especially considering the location and style, a great new hotel to consider from the colorful and trendy Paris boutique hotels choices.

Hotel De Neuve ***

14, rue Neuve Saint Pierre
75004 Paris

Website: http://hoteldeneuveparis.com/

A charming designer hotel at Madeleine and Opera

Martin — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:41:53 +0000

The 4-star Hotel Opera Marigny is a very well situated, charming little boutique hotel, only two minutes from either the Madeleine or the Opera Garnier, a short walk from Champs Elysees, Concorde, the Louvre, sights, shopping, cafés, restaurants and all what you need. It’s one of those lovely Paris designer hotels that will hold you captive with its charm, style and friendly atmosphere.

A contemporary elegant interior, with soft colors and subdued lights, welcomes the visitor. The hotel is famous for providing a wonderful service and the staff is indeed very friendly, attentive and helpful. The rooms, ranging from Classic and Superior Doubles to Suites, are also very trendy. The style is simple yet effective, it’s a combination of old features, noble materials and a contemporary décor, providing a quiet and relaxing refuge. The rooms are good sized, definitely so with Parisian standards, and the two junior suites offer 20 m² of living space, a separate terrace and sitting area as well as a whirlpool bath.

Despite the sophisticated style, the great location and the excellent service, Hotel Opera Marigny is very moderately priced. It’s one of those hotels where guests keep on returning as friends – truly, it’s home away home.

Hotel Opera Marigny ****
11, Rue de l’Arcade
75008 Paris

Official website: http://hoteloperamarignyparis.com/

Provençal country feel between Disneyland and central Paris

Martin — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 15:10:09 +0000

Hotel Daumesnil Vincennes is a charming 3-star hotel located near the “Périphérique” – a ring road encircling Paris’ center – ideally located for visiting both Disneyland and Paris. The green Paris suburb of Vincennes is perfect for people arriving by car, but it is also convenient for those who use public transport. Served by the efficient metro and suburban train (RER) lines, you can get to central Paris in 10-15 minutes, orto Disneyland in around 25 minutes. The suburb offers a relaxing and charming alternative to the noisy and busy inner districts, a touch of a French Provençal country feel, green parks, chateaus and a race course.

Let’s see now the hotel. It’s in a Parisian 5-story townhouse – it is still Paris despite the rural setting – with 50 comfortable and charming rooms. The rooms consist of different styles and sizes, ranging from Solo to Executive and Superior. But they all provide a warm welcoming environment with a wonderful Provençal atmosphere. Equipped with Hi-Tech amenities, modern and classic blend beautifully.

If someone plans to visit both Disneyland and Paris and wants a relaxing stay with a bit of a rural experience, Hôtel Daumesnil Vincennes is the perfect choice.The best of two worlds indeed.

Hôtel Daumesnil Vincennes ***
50, avenue de Paris
94300 Vincennes – France

Official website: http://hotel-daumesnil.com/

Exhibition at Centre Pompidou: Matisse, pairs and sets

Martin — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 10:44:21 +0000

Matisse was obsessed with perfection and had a tendency to reuse the same subject in his paintings and drawings again and again, until he was satisfied. This unique exhibition, taking place at the Pomidou Centre from March 7 to June 18 2012, shows some of the famous and lesser known works of Matisse in pairs and sets. It is up to the visitor to decide which they think is the perfect – and why.

<< A selection of masterpieces by Matisse illuminates the exploration of the same pattern repeatedly, allowing the artist to explore the painting and drawing itself. Pairs or sets, these ricochets formal variations framework, touch, color, are a regular feature of his art. Sixty paintings and thirty drawings are exhibited, to trace the artistic career of Matisse from 1899 to 1952. Faced with these couples and these digressions, that’s all the work of Matisse and he is allowed to enter, with its breaks, its reversals and his conquests. >>

Pompidou Centre website: http://www.centrepompidou.fr/

Photos: http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/310746/20120307/henri-matisse-paintings-paris-exhibit-photos.htm

Soft designer hotel in a romantic Paris district

Martin — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:58:29 +0000

Located in a very romantic yet little known corner of Paris, the charming Canal Saint-Martin district, the 3-star Hotel Soft Paris provides true style at an affordable price. The location is very convenient as it is a short walk from the busy transport hubs of Gare de l’Est and Gare du Nord, but it’s a quiet and picturesque neighborhood which is getting discovered and becoming quite trendy.

Absolutely in tune with the romantic and youthful atmosphere of the district, Hotel Soft Paris is a classy contemporary designer hotel with a refined and inviting interior. From the lounge to the rooms the design is elegant and ambient with soft colors and subtle lighting. The rooms are soundproofed, comfortable and equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, providing for a good and relaxing stay.

The hotel promises to provide a “soft” atmosphere, a “soft” night and a “soft” price – and it is a promise delivered.

Hotel Soft Paris ***
52 bis, rue des Vinaigriers
75010 Paris

Website: http://hotelsoftparis.com/