Worthwhile Despite Some Flaws

This "apartment hotel" combines most of the best features of a hotel and a furnished apartment, at a reasonable price and in a great location. Unfortunately it has a few glaring flaws, notably the beds in the studio rooms.

Due to the multi-building configuration, only 18 of the 200-odd rooms have a view of the Seine. Request one in advance (not sure if that helped) and ask for one on check-in. It really made a difference for our stay.

The room and public spaces were modern and clean; the room perhaps less so after a few days since maid service more often than weekly costs extra.

We enjoyed the free Internet computer (though it's often busy; they should add another) and the 24 hour espresso machine in the lobby (free except during breakfast). We would have appreciated a coffee maker in the room, but made do with morning tea to go with the bread and pastries we fetched daily from the fine local boulangeries.

The launderette seemed a plus at first, but it's small and expensive. We did better at the laundromat around the corner from Rue du Buci, having dinner at a sidewalk cafe between loads.

Another nice touch was the direct phone line in the room. We were able to use it with one of the international phone cards that works by giving you a busy signal and calling you back, thus avoiding any charge for outgoing calls. And the phone worked with our home answering machine, unlike most public phones in Europe.

The staff was young, generally pleasant and helpful, but not as knowledgeable as a concierge in a similarly sized hotel. The air conditioning was feeble but the window opened.

The beds have been discussed elsewhere. We tried for a one-bedroom with a real bed but had to settle for a studio with a sofa plus pull-out single bed. The sofa single was not too bad, but the pull-out - well, I just hope the maid was able to re-erect the sagging metal frame; we stood it up against the wall and put the mattress on the floor. The clerk said she thought the unfolding sofa beds were worse; my back aches at the thought.

Still, thanks to previous reviewers, we went in with our eyes open. Needing a hotel in this great neighborhood at the last minute, we were more than satisfied, with the plusses outweighing the minusses at a reasonable cost.

P.S.: If you stay here, you must try Ze Kitchen Galerie restaurant, just around the corner. Tasty, inventive, reasonable.

Great Location, no hot water!

We were upgraded to this Citadines after the one in Montmartre tried to move us to the Citadines in La Defense (even though our stay was fully pre-paid and made some months before). Some mule-ish behaviour on our part got us transferred to St Germain!

Plus points: Great location on the banks of the Siene in walking distance of the Louvre, D'Orsay and the shops on Rue de Rivoli to name a few. Numerous restaurants around (although mostly of the 10 euro tourist menu variety towards St Michel) some quite nice. Handy RER B connection back to CDG in walking distance from metro station St Michel. Lovely art galleries and antique shops due to the area.

There is a reasonable size Champion supermarket nearby on Rue de Buci for water/drinks/snacks etc. The kitchen faciltity is not up to major cooking but OK for light meals and snacks.

True the staff do not put themselves out a great deal and lack any charm or interest in their guests!

We had a one bed apartment with a view over the central 'courtyard' to the breakfast room below. Sml dbl bedroom, living-room with sofa that turned into a single bed with a trundle below. TV, safe, desk type table and 2 chairs, small kitchen with microwave, stove top, dishwasher, fridge. Bathroom and a separate toilet.

Hot water was an issue. Never any between 7am and 10am in our experience. Usually hot water to be had mid-afternoon or late at night. Useful for those who go clubbing and come home late and get up in the afternoon but not so good for anyone with small children etc.

Allowing for the staff (who by and large we had no dealings with other than check-in and check-out) and the lack of water we would stay here again due to the location.

Perfect Family Hotel

Stayed at the the Citadines in April with my husband, 15 year old and 10 year old and I believe this is a true "find" for families. The location is superb - right on the Seine between the Muse D'Orsay and Notre Dame. The unit was extremely large by Parisian standards and the little kitchen area was all granite countertops and updated appliances. I don't think anyone had ever actually cooked there but it was convenient for wine and cheese storage. What really made it perfect for us was the bed configuration. There was a seperate bedroom with a queen bed and then in the large living room there was the sofa and a trundle bed underneath it, so the kids didn't have to share a bed. The lobby is attractive and the price is excellent. It's not a romantic experience, but it definately feels French. I would definately stay here again.

Great spot in St Germain

I think the last reviewer was a little harsh, perhaps they just got a dud room. We stayed for a week in the Citadines St Germain, paid a bit more and got the apartment even though there were just 2 of us, think it was worthwhile if people are staying more than a couple of nights as it really is much more comfortable and can spread things out.

We stayed on the fourth floor, all windows opened out onto the courtyrad area above the breakfast area. the rooms were clean, comfortable and spacious.

The kitchen is basic but it allowed us to cook a few meals and at least have a proper breakfast (coffee and a roll is not breakfast). Parking is available although why you would want a car in Paris is beyond me.

The Hotel is located close to the Metro at St Michel and the RER from the airport so you could catch the trains and walk if you want ( just pick the right exit)

Only about 50m or so from the Pont Neuf so very pictureque as the sun sets,e specially with all the colours up along the Seine as Paris bids for the Olympics. The are probably more charming traditional Parisian Hotels but this one is a graet location for tourists , close to Notre Dame, St Chapelle, Concergerie,Louvre etc and the metro if you don't want a walk and the Cafes/Bars of St Germain.

Certainly would stay there again- but go for the apartment if you want molre comfort.

Citadines Saint-Germain - Unimpressive

I'm afraid that since the existing reviews were done, this hotel has gone downhill. We stayed three nights in February 2005, and did not find the experience satsifactory. Perhaps because we had booked an internet special (euro 125/night), we were given a room literally in the attic. We didn't expect it to be huge, but we didn't expect to get a room with the roof infringing on the space. Because it was at the edge of the building, there was only one strip in the room where we could stand upright! Additionally, the building is constructed so that the windows can't open.... this makes it very stuffy.

Sadly, the staff was also less than friendly or helpful (which is actually not the general case in Paris - most people are very friendly). Requests were treated as an interruption, and there was no friendliness at all. Although we did not experience it directly, we were witness to another guest having a long argument with the front desk over an unclean room. The response from the front desk was that the roster showed it had been cleaned so if you don't like it - leave.

Bottom line, while the location is good, this is not a hotel I would recommend at present. There are far better places to spend your money.

A Month in Paris

Stayed for 29 days, the point at which the nightly rate goes down a lot. We looked down at the lobby skylight-for some reason they would not give us a studio looking out on the Quai St. Augustin. The sofa bed could have been more comfortable and the staff at the front desk was often very busy-no chance for one-on-one but other than that, loved the experience. The kitchen had doors that you could shut if you are entertaining and it had everything, very new and attractive-even a vase for flowers and placemats. A maid cleans once a week but you can take garbage to an incinerator anytime. The bathroom was attractive and spacious with a tub and no bidet to get in the way. The hot water did tend to cool at around 8:30 am for a couple of hours, however. The location is marvelous.

Good value, nice location

We stayed at the Citadines St. Germain des Pres from 18 to 29 September 2003, in a twin studio for 2, facing the garden, and we do recommend it. Good location, friendly staff at reception desk, quiet room - even large-sized for Parisian standards - , and affordable internet rate (150 Euros w/o breakfast). Gabriel & Lucia.

Million dollar location!

On my 9th trip to Paris this September, I took my adult daughter for her first visit to my favorite city. I usually rent a private apartment but my daughter found the Citadines chain of Apart'otels and liked the idea that we would have an apartment that was run like a hotel with a front desk with an English speaking staff. We stayed at Citadines St Germain-des-Pres along the banks of the Seine, left bank. The location couldn't have been better for her first visit. We walked easlily to the Latin Quarter for dinner, to Notre Dame, to Le Musee d'Orsay, Le Louvre; there were two close metro stops, one with the train line (RER); a stop for the BatOBus and double decker Sightseeing bus as well as ParisVision for tours were within 3 blocks; a large department store, La Samarataine just a short walk away. The chamber itself, a one bedroom apartment, was modern in style, adequately large for the two of us. The lobby had all day coffee service; the buffet breakfast was pricey but with an included kitchen, we ate breakfast in our room. The lobby was pretty and bright- no, the room didn't have "Parisian" charm but with Paris literally at our doorstep, I couldn't have made a better choice and can't wait to go back with my husband.

Best Kept Paris Secret

What a great place! Everything you need in one spot. The rooms were excellent and were well equipped. The buffet breakfasts were wonderful, with pastries and fruit. The hotel itself is perfectly located near Notre Dame, with excellent access to Eiffel Tower and other hot spots.

A small square nearby was perfect for tourist souvenirs. Small cafes were everywhere and the Seine was across the street. I'd definitely stay there again!

An elegant shoebox

We found this a really great location, an easy walk from The Louvre and Musee d'Orsay and the marvellous food haven of Rue de Buci. On the downside, the rooms were tiny, modern and characterless. If you're looking for Parisian charm, you could do better but for convenience it's a good choice.