Best Western Le Jardin de Cluny

Perfect base to see the sights

Nice hotel with modern, functional bedrooms and bathrooms that are kept very clean. Very good cold buffet breakfast - worth paying the bit extra after trying a few street cafes. Very friendly and helpful staff, mostly English speaking. The electric sockets in the bedroom have an earth ping so make sure your adapter has a round hole for this. Reception loaned us one until we could buy one. Excellent location between the River and the Pantheon, 10 minutes walk to Rue Mouffetard with its lively street cafes and reasonably priced restaurants. 10 minutes (max) to Notre Dame etc. No 63 bus to Trocadero (for Eiffel Tower) goes from Rue d’Ecoles at back of hotel (2 mins). First time in Paris - buses and metro quick, cheap and efficient - why can’t WE have public transport like that? Would definitely return to this hotel.

It was our first trip so unsurprisingly our must-see list included the Eiffel Tower (the south tower is for stairs to the 2nd level only - not at all too bad, very safe and cheaper). Musee du Louvre for the French and Italian sculptures, the Egyptian, Greek, and Roman collections. Napoleon III’s apartments were appropriately OTT. We got advance tickets from a kiosk on Champs Elysees so got in the Ricelieu Passage entrance with no delay. Sacre Coeur via the metro was worth seeing, as was Saint Chapelle and the main store of Galeries Lafayette - go out onto the roof for a wonderful view.

St. Germain area hotel provided quality stay

We truly enjoyed our stay at the Best Western Le Jardin de Cluny. It is a totally non-smoking and bio hotel. Our room was spacious and clean as was the modern bath. The location is excellent for walking to cafes, shops, the Metro, the Seine, and attractions. The staff was very friendly and Andre was very helpful. Breakfast is served in a ’wine cellar type cave’ two levels below the street - very unique! We thought it was a good value especially for Paris and would definitely stay there again.

Traveller's tip on local attractions

Two restaurants we enjoyed for dinner were Mediterranee for excellent seafood and service and D’Chez Eux which serves excellent traditional French country cuisine but is a bit pricey. Try the escargot, duck pate, and cassoulet! Visit Save the Queen - an inventive women’s boutique on St. Germain. Loved the clothes.

Will return

Ideally placed to visit the Latin Quarter and beyond the hotel is 100 metres from metro (buy un carnet of tickets: book of ten) with link to Eurostar terminal in Gard de Nord. Stayed in superior room on 5th floor which was modern, with balcony over quiet street and large by Paris standards. Staff very helpful and many patisseries nearby for yummy and cheap breakfast or brunch if you’ve eaten late, which is likely!! This was our third visit to Paris and the area and hotel were the best for a romantic, relaxed break strolling around Jardin de Luxembourg, Ile de Cite, Pantheon and Notre Dame and via the metro, Montmartre Two great eateries: Chez Gladiene on Cinq Diamants, close to Corvisart metro where you will join the locals for a unique frenetic cheap french dining experience and Le Coupe:Chou within 5 mins walk of hotel for that romantic candle lit atmosphere and wonderful food. We spent a day in Vernon and Giverny with Fat Tyre Bike tour which we recommend if you want to have fun in Monet land.

Traveller's tip on getting the most out of your stay

Walk to savour the atmosphere and architecture, use the metro or rent a Velo bike from the many street sites (free for 30 mins)