Hotel Esmerelda

I discovered this hotel when I was strolling by the Quartier Latin streets. As I am a local, I never stay here.
If you need a modern accomodation in a chain hotel, do not go there. Go in the outskirts and travel by metro or open your purse to pay a luxury hotel centrally located.
Esmeralda H. is located in the center, just in front of Notre Dame, in the lively area of Quartier Latin.
The building is historic and the rooms seem old but it is a bargain if you consider the price and the surrounding area.

Unique Quality: Room for 2 with shower : 85 euros tax included
Single room with sink : 35 euros tax included

Directions: Close to Saint Michel Station and walking distant from Chatelet the true center of Paris.

My daughter read Linnea in Monet's Garden, and we found the hotel that the story uses. We booked three nights in Hotel Esmeralda and found it to be unique, clean, friendly and it had a view of Notre Dame from the window. I believe that this is the closest hotel to Notre Dame in all Paris.
see info below on phone number,etc.
When making reservations, ask for the Linnea Room.
If you are looking for 1st class lodging, this won't be it. But if you are travelling with children, this is one you might want to think about. Ask for a room with a bath, these rooms are larger. Also, get a window on the street so that you can look out at Notre Dame.
There is a park across the street, another church and of course you will see and hear the bells of Notre Dame.
Also, if you have a child from age 4 to 10 this is a good book to get them interested in paintings in the Louvre, etc.

Unique Quality: The lady who owns this hotel is such a delightful person. She made sure we were taken care of, and she also took an interest in making my 4 year old daughter feel welcome. Everything about this place is unusual and you can feel like you are staying in a very old, historical hotel.
This place is not polished,but is clean. The breakfasts are more than adequate.
You are within walking distance of the tourist area without feeling like are a tourist. That's a plus.
The price below was from several years ago and was for two beds.
Less expensive than your average Paris hotel.
Do not expect anything fancy. More of what is old history here, cross beams of wood, stone walls......

Directions: On a small street across the river from Notre Dame. The photo shows the peaceful street where the hotel in located.
There is a small park across the small street. No traffic noise.

I've never stayed at this hotel, but knowing how popular it is I decided to visit in April 2003 to look around and take photos. Some of the rooms are described as shabby, while others consider it shabby chic & charming. Everywhere I've read describes it as clean, some rooms having great views of Notre Dame & a budget find. Considering its location (on the Left Bank, in the heart of the Latin Quarter & directly across from Notre Dame) I consider this place to be a great deal. I also found the owner to be nice & helpful, especially since he so blithely handed me keys to see a room and didn't mind me taking photos.

This hotel has no website or e-mail so you'll have to call, fax or mail to reserve. This may explain why the prices are so cheap.

Here are some other websites you'll want to visit when making your determination to stay:
Comment:
http://www.paris.org/Hotels/hotel.cgi?74182105190109142010211209051412051601212218057775707075

http://www.eurocheapo.com/paris/hotel/hotel-esmeralda

Photos:
http://www.tvartist.net/photo/honeymoon/honeymoon-Pages/Image19.html
(website showing honeymoon photos of one couple, total of 3 photos, click Next to see all 3)

Unique Quality: 35€ - Single with toilette
65€ - Single with shower/WC
80€ - Single with bath

85€ - Double with bath
95€ - Double with bath
95€ - Double, 2 beds with bath
120€ - Double with bath

110€ - Triple with bath

Click HERE to see photo taken Feb 2006 of prices listed in the window.

The website listed below is of TripAdvisor's guests' comments.

Photos: 1st one taken Feb 2006, all others taken April 2003

This is a one star hotel right across the street from a little park and across the river from Notre Dame. The location is excellent and you can request a room with a view of Notre Dame.

The building is very very old (perhaps 17th century?) and is full of charm. The staff are friendly as is the cat that sleeps at the front door. However, we found the rooms to be a bit too old and scruffy. The bed seemed to be about the same age as the building and the bathroom was very cramped with what appeared to be dry rot under the flooring.

The main things that concerned me were the fact that the stairway (the only emergency exit I could see) was very narrow and winding and there were no smoke alarms in the building. In the event of a fire, it was the window or nothing as far as I could see.

A friend who stayed at the hotel around the same time as we did said she was given a room in a newer annex of the building. She said there was no heat (it was December) and when she opened the drawer of the bedside table, she found a dried up piece of ham. She said the staff were not friendly or helpful to her and her friend.

I will add that it was about 1998 that we were last there and things could have improved by now. Just remember - you get what you paid for!

I absolutely loved this hotel. It might not be the lap of luxery but for ambiance, character and location, it can't be beat. Situated across the river from Notre Dame, this hotel has some rooms with views of the cathedral.

The rooms are on the smaller side, most have their own bathrooms. This is an old building with the expected characteristics of an old building (creaky stairs, old furniture, no elevator, etc..). The staff is wonderful and we received many tips from them for our trip.

If you want to stay at a charming, old-fashioned hotel, this place is a treat. It is listed in many guidebooks (something which usually scares me away but they were spot on with this one) so it's always full during busy season. Reservations are a must. We went in January and had no problem getting a room for a few nights.

Unique Quality: Ask for a room with a view to the Seine, you'll get to see Notre Dame from the backside and the action on the street and waterways below.

Hotel is next door to Shakespeare & Co Book Store.

Directions: Latin Qtr

This a really small but fine hotel with only 19 rooms.

The bohémienlike Esmeralda is situated in the centre of the Student quartier Latin.

It has an irresitable charm and that seduced the famous Jazz musician Chet Baker and the famous French singer Serge Gainsbourg to stay here.

The best rooms have a view on NOTRE DAME......so make reservations in good time....

Unique Quality: This hotel doesn't have an elevator but it deing not that high but that is more than compensated with the charm of the hotel and, let's be fair, we don't walk up and downs the stairs all day long, do we????

Directions: Cityplan: 13 A4

Hotel Esmeralda: located directly across from Notre Dame. Very funky decorated rooms but inexpensive and clean! Downside? Hard to find a room peak season! So book early! We booked two months in advance!
Hotel le Pavillon:a charming hotel that is located two blocks from the Seine and four from the Eiffel Tower! And fairly inexpensive!