Paris was more complex. We wanted a suite, since there was four of us, and we did not want to pay a fortune. We were not going to be there for a full week, so apartment rentals were out as they only rented by the week. Oh yes, and we wanted to be on the left bank, ideally in the Latin Quarter! Not an easy feat!
I spent many an evening in January surfing the web for the perfect spot, when I stumbled upon Residence Henri IV:
It had it all - 3 blocks from Notre Dame Cathedral and Ile Saint Louis, 4 blocks from the Luxumbourg Gardens, and located at the end of a very tiny cul-de-sac off Rue des Ecoles.
This picture, from their website, is of the bedroom of our two room suite:
It was lovely and clean, and the staff could not have been more helpful! The second room was comprised of a sofa bed, small desk and a gorgeous view. The bathroom was good size, all marble, and off the bathroom was a small kitchenette (and I mean small!) if you are so inclined to out a kettle on! My husband, who has slept on many a sofa bed in his long life, said it was the most comfortable sofa bed he had ever slept on and my son concurred. In fact, both mattresses were comfortable and thick!
In the basement is a small orangerie where breakfast is served to guests at a very reasonable 8 euros a person.
There is a wee tiny elevator for taking up your luggage - one person at a time - and a gorgeous spiral staircase that goes up 8 or 9 stories:
On our last morning in Paris we waited outside for the cab to take us to the airport, sad to leave such a charming little spot:
"plaisant hotel" basically says it all!
If you are looking for a small hotel, reasonably priced, that has rooms for both two persons and for four persons, in a vibrant and central location, this is the spot for you!
Have a wonderful day!
UPDATE:
I am just in the throes of reading "Paris, A Love Story," by Kati Marton, who was married to Peter Jennings and is recently widowed by Richard Holbrooke (can you say it like that? Gawd! I need you WFF!) Last night, I was reading about her Paris apartment, which is literally right around the corner from Residence Henri IV, as in maybe 5 buildings away! She captures the essence of the neighbourhood very well, which is a combination of great boulangeries, cinemas playing old Hollywood movies (the Deperado was having a Cary Grant week when we were there!) and some really funky science fiction and camping shops (along with the requisite cafes). It is an interesting book - not great literature, but fun for me havng just been in all these places and you can buy yours here!
have a wonderful day AGAIN!
