I can’t believe that our time in Paris is already over! Erika and I left our hotel this morning via taxi, after our phone alarms didn’t wake us up. It was a wild morning but leaving via taxi, instead of a train, allowed us to get a good glimpse of the city one last time. It really is a magical place, whether it’s cold and dreary or dark and sparkling.

Since we knew we were only going to be in Paris for a short time period, we planned our hotel choice very strategically. We knew that sight seeing was our priority for the day and therefore wanted to be as close to the popular sights as possible, while also spending less than $175 on a hotel room. In addition, since the room would be for two of us, we wanted to ensure that the bed was queen size or larger, in a safe neighborhood, had a private bathroom, and offered early check-in. I used Kayak, Travelocity, and Trip Advisor to compare the different hotels where I found  deal. It wasn’t worth saving a few dollars to feel unsafe or have a shower that didn’t work!

Hotel du Cadran was the perfect fit for us since it was within walking distance to the Eiffel Tower and located on a cozy, quiet street filled with bakeries, shops, and cafes perfect for a morning stroll.  While the hotel and room were simple in the amenities, it delivered on all our requests and more.  The room featured a queen size bed, large bathroom, small balcony with windows which opened, and free wi-fi. The fact that it is also just a few minutes from a metro station made traveling through the city very easy and convenient, especially last night after dinner. 

We were both pleased and surprised with how large the bathroom was compared to our expectations. Last time I stayed in Paris the bathroom wasn’t large enough for 2 people! The blow dryer was also stronger than most US hotels, perfect for this morning’s crazy rush since we overslept!

When researching a hotel for your next trip, be sure to consider how much time you’ll really spend in the hotel and room. Bo and I tend to be more concerned with hotel and property quality when we’re enjoying a beach vacation as we’ll want to take advantage of the amenities, beach, pool, restaurants, and spa. But, during a city adventure, like this Paris trip, we know we’ll spend less than a 1/3 of our time in the hotel room. Therefore, we’d rather spend some extra money on activities or dining in the city creating memories. When we think like this, deciding between Hotel du Cadran and another hotel room that is $250 but offers breakfast, feather pillows, and a sitting area is an easy decision. Who wants hotel breakfast when you can enjoy Parisian coffee and fresh crepes or croissants and who needs a sitting area when you’ll be on the go all day long?