Difference between revisions of "CITCONEurope2009Lodging"

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(New page: == Lodging and accomodation information for participants to CITCON Paris 2009 == Paris has *lots* of hotels, but they are not known to be budget-friendly. Here a few tips that can help. ...)
 
 
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== Lodging and accomodation information for participants to CITCON Paris 2009 ==
 
== Lodging and accomodation information for participants to CITCON Paris 2009 ==
  
Paris has *lots* of hotels, but they are not known to be budget-friendly. Here a few tips that can help.
+
Map: [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=fr&msa=0&msid=101520646975215680763.00046ceda6bcae04f94bf&ll=48.851727,2.357769&spn=0.095786,0.264359&z=13].
  
Plan your travels with the Paris public transportation system here: [http://www.ratp.info/touristes/index.php?langue=en]. A good system, but it fails to tell you the price of the tickets (or the travel zones you are crossing).
+
Paris has a good number of hotels, but they are not known to be budget-friendly. Here a few options that can help.
 +
Also, note that it seems that Paris is actually lacking hotel rooms (I heard there were around 5000 -- [[Eric_Lefevre-Ardant|Eric]]) so don't wait too long before making a reservation. September is still a busy month for tourists in Paris.
 +
* I checked the hotel rates a month after the initial creation of this page; some had seriously increased. Don't wait too long before you book one. -- [[Eric_Lefevre-Ardant|Eric]]
 +
 
 +
=== Hotels ===
 +
 
 +
The conference is taking place at Institut Supérieur d'Electronique de Paris (ISEP): [http://www.isep.fr/]. ISEP is a college specializing in Electronics & Information Systems. They host the Paris Java User Group [http://www.parisjug.org/] every month.
 +
 
 +
ISEP is based in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, a very central location within easy reach by metro and suburban train. See the Google Map for a better view [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=fr&msa=0&msid=101520646975215680763.00046ceda6bcae04f94bf&ll=48.851727,2.357769&spn=0.095786,0.264359&z=13].
 +
 
 +
=== Hotels ===
 +
 
 +
A selection of hotels, more or less sorted by price.
 +
Also, check out the Google Map of all these hotels here: [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=fr&msa=0&msid=101520646975215680763.00046ceda6bcae04f94bf&ll=48.851727,2.357769&spn=0.095786,0.264359&z=13].
  
 
* Campings in Paris: [http://www.campingparis.fr/indexuk.html]
 
* Campings in Paris: [http://www.campingparis.fr/indexuk.html]
Line 9: Line 22:
  
 
* Formule 1, Porte de Châtillon: [http://www.hotelformule1.com/fr/hotel-5010-formule-1-hotelf1-paris-porte-de-chatillon/index.shtml]. At 40-45€, probably the cheapest hotel you can get in the vicinity, a view on the highway included. 10-15 mins to get to metro station Porte d'Orléans, then 15 mins by metro.
 
* Formule 1, Porte de Châtillon: [http://www.hotelformule1.com/fr/hotel-5010-formule-1-hotelf1-paris-porte-de-chatillon/index.shtml]. At 40-45€, probably the cheapest hotel you can get in the vicinity, a view on the highway included. 10-15 mins to get to metro station Porte d'Orléans, then 15 mins by metro.
** not the ugliest part of Paris, but not great either -- still, for the price, it has a reasonable good location ([[Eric_Lefevre-Ardant|Eric]])
+
** not the ugliest part of Paris, but not great either; still, for the price, it has a reasonable good location. -- [[Eric_Lefevre-Ardant|Eric]]
 +
 
 +
* Hôtel des voyageurs: [http://www.hoteldesvoyageursparis.com/]. Rooms are 55€. Excellent location (the nearby rue Daguerre is one of the most Parisian streets in Paris) and ~15 mins by public transportation to ISEP (pointed by [[Zouheir Cadi]]).
 +
** this would probably be my choice -- [[Eric_Lefevre-Ardant|Eric]]
 +
 
 +
* FIAP Jean Monnet [http://www.fiap.asso.fr/] is another cheap option, especially for those willing to share rooms. From 57€ for a single room to 26€ in a room with 6 beds. ~20 mins by public transportation to ISEP.
 +
** Looks like a youth hostel, though not sure they officially qualify as one. Lots of groups of foreign youngsters there. Very professional -- [[Eric_Lefevre-Ardant|Eric]]
  
 
* Accor Hotels [http://www.accorhotels.com/] has an excellent selection of hotels at medium prices in Paris
 
* Accor Hotels [http://www.accorhotels.com/] has an excellent selection of hotels at medium prices in Paris
** the best might be Ibis Alesia-Montparnasse [http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-0959-ibis-paris-alesia-montparnasse-14eme/index.shtml] ~80 € -- you'll need to take the metro to get to ISEP
+
** the best might be Ibis Alesia-Montparnasse [http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-0959-ibis-paris-alesia-montparnasse-14eme/index.shtml] ~115 € -- you'll need to take the metro to get to ISEP
** also, check out the Mercure Montparnasse [http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-0905-mercure-paris-gare-montparnasse/index.shtml] (~115€) and Mercure Raspail [http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-0351-mercure-raspail/index.shtml] (~100€), the later is possibly the closest to ISEP you can get, but both are within 10 mins walking distance to ISEP.
+
** also, check out the Mercure Montparnasse [http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-0905-mercure-paris-gare-montparnasse/index.shtml] (~180€) and Mercure Raspail [http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-0351-mercure-raspail/index.shtml] (~100€), the latter is possibly the closest to ISEP you can get, less than 5 mins walk
 +
 
 +
* in a similar category are the Comfort Hotels
 +
** Comfort Hotel Montparnasse [http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-paris-france-FR173?sid=2wtKM.5wCGSgLMI.7] ~90€, 5 mins walk to ISEP
 +
** Comfort Hotel Mouffetard/Latin Quarter [http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-paris-france-FR202?sid=2wtKM.5wCGSgLMI.7] ~140€, in one of the most Parisian area of Paris
 +
 
 +
* those Marriott-inclined will have to go to the Marriott Rive Gauche [http://www.marriott.fr/Channels/globalSites/propertyPage/FRANCE/PARST], very close to FIAP Jean Monnet. Starts at 160€.
  
 
* Holiday Inn Gare Montparnasse [http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/350/fr/hd/pargm]. ~250€
 
* Holiday Inn Gare Montparnasse [http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/350/fr/hd/pargm]. ~250€
 +
 +
=== Getting around ===
 +
 +
Plan your travels with the Paris public transportation system here: [http://www.ratp.info/touristes/index.php?langue=en]. A good system, but it fails to tell you the price of the tickets (or the travel zones you are crossing).
 +
 +
==== Velib ====
 +
 +
A rather excellent bike rental system has been put in place a couple of years ago, called Velib [http://www.en.velib.paris.fr/].
 +
 +
The idea:
 +
* cheap, nominal fee (1€ for one day), then free usage up to 30 mins, as many times as desired.
 +
** after 30 mins of continual usage, the price increases exponentially: 1€ for the following 30 mins, then 2€ for another 30 mins, then 4€
 +
* bikes can be used 24/7
 +
* bikes are available at various stations, locked into stands a bit like shopping carts
 +
* there is a *huge* number of those stations in Paris, enough to make the system a credible alternative to traditional public transportation
 +
 +
The problems:
 +
* many bikes have been vandalized, so always double-check tires, chains, etc. *before* retrieving the bike
 +
* it requires a bankcard with a chip, which would work for most European cards, and few US ones
 +
* some stations are more popular at particular times, which can make it difficult to find a free slot for your bike (for example, many go to train stations using Velib and leave their bike near it) -- you can end up paying the usage fee
 +
* if you take the day or week pass, you get a pin code that you'll need to use on the terminals to select a bike. This can be slow and not very convenient. Plus, those with yearly subscription have a touchcard that takes only seconds to use and they won't need the terminal. So they can even take the last available bike while you are still fumbling with the terminal.

Latest revision as of 06:31, 19 July 2009

Lodging and accomodation information for participants to CITCON Paris 2009

Map: [1].

Paris has a good number of hotels, but they are not known to be budget-friendly. Here a few options that can help. Also, note that it seems that Paris is actually lacking hotel rooms (I heard there were around 5000 -- Eric) so don't wait too long before making a reservation. September is still a busy month for tourists in Paris.

  • I checked the hotel rates a month after the initial creation of this page; some had seriously increased. Don't wait too long before you book one. -- Eric

Hotels

The conference is taking place at Institut Supérieur d'Electronique de Paris (ISEP): [2]. ISEP is a college specializing in Electronics & Information Systems. They host the Paris Java User Group [3] every month.

ISEP is based in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, a very central location within easy reach by metro and suburban train. See the Google Map for a better view [4].

Hotels

A selection of hotels, more or less sorted by price. Also, check out the Google Map of all these hotels here: [5].

  • Campings in Paris: [6]
    • expect a good hour to get from the camping in the Bois de Boulogne to ISEP; also, while the area is well-known to families that want a walk in the woods, it can get quite dodgy at night, though I expect the camping to be just fine (Eric)
  • Formule 1, Porte de Châtillon: [7]. At 40-45€, probably the cheapest hotel you can get in the vicinity, a view on the highway included. 10-15 mins to get to metro station Porte d'Orléans, then 15 mins by metro.
    • not the ugliest part of Paris, but not great either; still, for the price, it has a reasonable good location. -- Eric
  • Hôtel des voyageurs: [8]. Rooms are 55€. Excellent location (the nearby rue Daguerre is one of the most Parisian streets in Paris) and ~15 mins by public transportation to ISEP (pointed by Zouheir Cadi).
    • this would probably be my choice -- Eric
  • FIAP Jean Monnet [9] is another cheap option, especially for those willing to share rooms. From 57€ for a single room to 26€ in a room with 6 beds. ~20 mins by public transportation to ISEP.
    • Looks like a youth hostel, though not sure they officially qualify as one. Lots of groups of foreign youngsters there. Very professional -- Eric
  • Accor Hotels [10] has an excellent selection of hotels at medium prices in Paris
    • the best might be Ibis Alesia-Montparnasse [11] ~115 € -- you'll need to take the metro to get to ISEP
    • also, check out the Mercure Montparnasse [12] (~180€) and Mercure Raspail [13] (~100€), the latter is possibly the closest to ISEP you can get, less than 5 mins walk
  • in a similar category are the Comfort Hotels
    • Comfort Hotel Montparnasse [14] ~90€, 5 mins walk to ISEP
    • Comfort Hotel Mouffetard/Latin Quarter [15] ~140€, in one of the most Parisian area of Paris
  • those Marriott-inclined will have to go to the Marriott Rive Gauche [16], very close to FIAP Jean Monnet. Starts at 160€.
  • Holiday Inn Gare Montparnasse [17]. ~250€

Getting around

Plan your travels with the Paris public transportation system here: [18]. A good system, but it fails to tell you the price of the tickets (or the travel zones you are crossing).

Velib

A rather excellent bike rental system has been put in place a couple of years ago, called Velib [19].

The idea:

  • cheap, nominal fee (1€ for one day), then free usage up to 30 mins, as many times as desired.
    • after 30 mins of continual usage, the price increases exponentially: 1€ for the following 30 mins, then 2€ for another 30 mins, then 4€
  • bikes can be used 24/7
  • bikes are available at various stations, locked into stands a bit like shopping carts
  • there is a *huge* number of those stations in Paris, enough to make the system a credible alternative to traditional public transportation

The problems:

  • many bikes have been vandalized, so always double-check tires, chains, etc. *before* retrieving the bike
  • it requires a bankcard with a chip, which would work for most European cards, and few US ones
  • some stations are more popular at particular times, which can make it difficult to find a free slot for your bike (for example, many go to train stations using Velib and leave their bike near it) -- you can end up paying the usage fee
  • if you take the day or week pass, you get a pin code that you'll need to use on the terminals to select a bike. This can be slow and not very convenient. Plus, those with yearly subscription have a touchcard that takes only seconds to use and they won't need the terminal. So they can even take the last available bike while you are still fumbling with the terminal.