Rating
"Loved Jardin le Brea" I lived in Paris for a year and have returned a number of times with my family staying at a number of different small boutique hotels on the left bank (which I prefer). This one is around the corner from La Coupole and Montparnasse Ave. on a side street, and a short walk to St. Germain, steps from the Jardin de Luxembourg, convenient to two Metro lines. I think we preferred this Hotel to all the fine others we stayed at over the years. First, we had a wonderful 3 nights for price of 2 deal. But the rooms were nice, with modern touches such as flat screen mounted TV. There is a nice sitting room. Breakfast was good and location is great. No complaints here. I would strongly recommend this hotel.

Rating
"A charming Paris value" My wife, eighteen year-old daughter and I accepted a recommenation to stay at Hotel La Brea during our recent visit to Paris. My job provides me with lots of opportunity to stay at five star properties around the world, but frankly, we couldn't have asked for a more delightful venue for our stay. The value for money was exceptional and the room and common areas were charming, clean, and more than adequate for our needs. The hotel staff were extremely courteous and helpful in every way possible. Breakfast in the basement "cave" was very good (coffee was delicious and strong) so we started each day with a very satisfying European breakfast that included fruit, cereal, croisants, pastries, scrumptious bread, juice, cold meats and cheese...pretty much more than one needs to fuel up for a solid day of sightseeing.The location couldn't have been nicer with easy access to the Metro system as well as some excellent restaurants on Boulevard du Montparnasse...a few yards up Rue La Brea. We actually took a "shopping stroll" over to Notre Dame, which was surprisingly close after a pleasant walk through the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens. Everything we wanted to see and do was an easy trip using the Metro, and we pretty much covered all the highlights of Paris. This is a property we will definitely come back to...and plan to stay longer than the four nights we enjoyed this trip!

Rating
"Lovely little hotel" Just back from a 6 night stay in this hotel. Located in the Montparnasse district, the hotel was easy to get to from CdG airport using the RER train and metro (more about the metro later....!) and was warm and welcoming during a rather cold spell. The desk staff were friendly and helpful, and the room was nicely decorated and very clean. The room was small but not so much to cause a problem, the bathroom however was tiny with a half size bath that wasn't comfortable at all. Although there was a shower attachment, it was only attached to the wall about an inch above the bath so there was no way of having a proper shower which was disappointing. Word of warning if you're allocated room 33 and are a larger person - my 6ft 2" fourteen and a half stone husband had great difficulty fitting himself into the area where the loo was wedged! Compact is the word! Although the bathroom was clean, the grouting round the bath was quite stained and it spoiled the effect somewhat. The bed was lovely and comfortable. We asked specifically for a quiet room and were allocated one which overlooked the "courtyard" - which basically meant we were looking at the wall opposite and down onto the glass roof of the rear of the reception area. This meant we heard absolutely no traffic noise whatsoever, and the thick curtains blocked out all the light - we slept really well the whole time we were there. Rooms overlooking the front road probably aren't particularly noisy either as the road is a side street with little traffic, although the busy Blvd Montparnesse is just a few yards up the road and possibly make the front rooms noisier. We didn't bother with breakfast at all during our stay, preferring to use the excellent patisserie almost opposite. We had a quick look at the breakfast room, though, located in the basement, and it was charming. One disadvantage, in our eyes, was the location of the hotel - I personally didn't like the "Vegas" feel of the main Montparnasse street with lots of bright flashing lights and big cafe/brasseries, and much preferred the Latin Quarter's cosy dimly lit bistros so that meant rather a long walk each evening. For this one reason I wouldn't probably stay at Hotel Brea again, but that's purely because of my own preferences and nothing untoward about the hotel. As a non-meat eater, I found the evening meals in the bistros rather a challenge - my husband was taking advantage of the set price "tourist menus" which were great value, but mostly I ate two starters - the salad starters in particular were worthy of a main course. Paris itself - well, it was our first visit and unfortunately was marred by my husband's wallet being stolen whilst going through the gateway from the RER train to the metro. Such was the professionalism of the thief that he didn't feel a thing. His wallet was lodged into a deep front pocket of his trousers - whilst he was struggling to get the suitcase through the turnstile, someone came up behind him then went away again within seconds, and we think that was when the deed was done. So the first evening was spent on the phone cancelling credit cards (hotel receptionist was extremely helpful and got the relevant numbers for us), then we were given directions to the nearest police station so we could report the robbery. With the exception of one policeman whose arrogance was breathtaking, every other person we met, be they waiters, shop staff etc., were charming and helpful and friendly and totally changed the perception I had about Parisiens being aloof. Aside from that, our stay was fantastic and really enjoyable. I'd definitely recommend Paris and also recommend the hotel though bear in mind that if you prefer to walk to the attractions, as we did, you could have quite a trek!

Rating
"Cute and Comfortable" We stayed at the Jardin le Brea hotel in Paris for 4 nights in April. We chose this hotel based on recommendations from family. It is in the 6th Androissment, near the Luxemborg Gardens. The location was very convenient. The hotel is on a very cute street (Rue Le Brea) and is a minute walk from the Vavin metro stop (metro #4), and a bustling area with wonderful cafes and shops. The hotel seems tiny. The passages and staircases are narrow, and the elevator can hardly fit a person with a suitcase! We had a room on the first floor with a big window which overlooked Rue Le Brea. It was wonderful to watch the world go by, and it was, surprisingly, not too noisy. The room was small but comfortable. The bathroom did not have a bathtub, only a shower, and was fairly cramped. However, we believe this is fairly standard for Paris. The hotel offered breakfast, but, unlike the hotels we stayed in in Italy, breakfast was not included in the price. We definitely recommend skipping the 12 Euro hotel buffet, and rather pick up coffee and a croissant from one of the many wonderful cafe's surrounding the hotel. The hotel staff were very friendly, knowledgeable about Paris and helpful. In fact, before they offered us our room, they warned us that it may be a little noisy as we checked in on a Saturday and there is an Irish Pub on the street near the hotel. However, as stated above, the noise was not a problem. We appreciated their honesty and caution, though. While we would stay here again, I fell in love with an area of Paris around Rue de Buci (near the Odeon and St. Germain des-Pres metro stops) in the heart of the Left Bank a little closer to the Seine River (although also in the 6th Adroissment). If/when we return to Paris, I would research hotels in this area. However, it was an easy walk to this area from Hotel Le Brea, and also very easy to get to via metro.

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