The good luck bella tour
France, January 24th through January 31st
Your PERSONALIZED recommendations
Below you will find the hotels, trains, ground transportation, and activities I recommend for your trip along with a selection/submission form. If you don’t see the perfect fit listed let me know! I’d be happy to make additional recommendations.
Transportation within Paris
The easiest way to get to and from the airport is via private car. Once a hotel has been selected I can provide a quote.
Once you’ve arrived at your hotel, public transportation is fantastic.
Paris, night one
Option one: Monsieur Aristide
Best pick to walk and explore right from the hotel with a local feel.
This small boutique hotel is in the heart of Montmartre. The area is known for its distinct village-like atmosphere, historical charm and authentic lively Parisian culture. Its streets are walkable and full of art, theater, bistros, little shops and bars. The hotel has a small cocktail bar and every night from 6PM-10:30PM they have a get together with wine, traditional raclette (toasted cheese), smoked salmon, cured meats and vegetarian options. They often have live music as well. In the morning, fresh pastries. For dinner a little restaurant is on site if you’re looking to explore all afternoon and then chill. This will feel like staying as the guests of locals who are happy to give you space to do your own thing or join them in theirs. My favorites are this hotel and option four. They’re all great though.
I can coordinate the following perks at this location: breakfast included, one free cocktail per guest, free wifi and early check in (if available)
Room configuration options:
Two standard rooms. $747.42 or $671.98 NR
One standard room & one suite. With one room being a suite you will have somewhere for everyone to sit if you spend time in the room together. $923.08 or $829.95 NR
Family Rooms. Two rooms with queen beds on two floors joined to have a two bedroom apartment feel. No hang out space that I can see but that may not matter to you guys since your only there one night. $765.11 or $688.48 NR
Two bedroom apartment. One queen and one king with room to hang out together. $1,369.89 or $1,233.14 NR
Refundable rates are cancelable up to 48 hours prior to check in. If you would like to book non refundable rates (marked NR) I recommend travel insurance just in case. I can send a quote if you choose to book non refundable rates.
Option TWO: Solly Hôtel Paris
Best pick for a central location.
This family run hotel is in Le Marais. The area is known for its charm, central location, restaurants, museums. and small winding streets to explore on foot. It’s near trains and metro stations which is handy if you want to cover more ground. The Solly is stylish without being pretentious, modern but warm and comfortable, character over cookie-cutter. They have a buffet breakfast, concierge desk and plenty of communal spaces where you can spend time outside of your room. Though breakfast is made on location in an open kitchen visible to guests; they do not have a bar or restaurant on site. They are however within a short walk of several great options for both. This is where you stay if you want to be right in the middle of everything to maximize your options.
Room configuration options:
Two standard rooms, park view, with breakfast. $1,265.00 or $1,151.70 NR
Two standard rooms with a park view. $1,173.12 or $1,061.72 NR
I can call to ask the rooms be near one another, possible joining. Unfortunately they don’t have a room for three other than one with a sofa bed. It was still worth suggesting for its location, high ratings from guests, and walkability/proximity to public transportation.
Refundable rates are cancelable up to 48 hours prior to check in. If you would like to book non refundable rates (marked NR) I recommend travel insurance just in case. I can send a quote if you choose to book non refundable rates.
Option Three: Rayz Eiffel
Best pick for an easy walk to the Eiffel Tower.
Rayz Eiffel is a good choice if you would like to stay near the tower. Located in the elegant 7th arrondissement, it’s a short walk from the Eiffel Tower, the Seine, and the lively Rue Cler with its cafés, markets, and restaurants, making the neighborhood highly walkable and quintessentially Parisian. The rooms are stylish, clean, and comfortable. The guests reviews are very positive praising the staff, location, and relaxed boutique feel. They have a small rooftop terrace with views of the city and the Eiffel Tower. They don’t have much communal space or a bar/restaurant but here are plenty within a short walk. You will find tourist traps BUT I can recommend some alternative to them if you end up choosing this hotel.
Room configuration options:
Two connecting rooms, with balcony and breakfast. $1,262.92 or $990.89 NR
One room w/Eiffel Tower view and breakfast & one room w/balcony and breakfast. $974.63.63 or $769.77 NR
*The Eiffel Tower view room will have a partial view of the tower. It’s the top half in the distance. Still cool but not unobstructed.
Refundable rates are cancelable up to 48 hours prior to check in. If you would like to book non refundable rates (marked NR) I recommend travel insurance just in case. I can send a quote if you choose to book non refundable rates.
Option four: La Fantaisie
Best pick for funky, fun, with loads of amenities in an area you don’t need to leave.
This hotel is on a street with fun shops, bistros, bars and theater. It’s away from tourists dense areas but not so far away you can’t visit them if you want. You could easily spend the day wandering around the hotel and be content. It’s the same neighborhood as option one but the rooms are bigger and there are more amenities. This is just as fantastic an option and better if you would take advantage of the spa credit. I was hard pressed to find a bad review about this hotel. Everyone seems to love it. They have a restaurant, spa, and a rooftop bar surrounded by greenery and views of the copper roofs of Paris. They even have hammam baths!…and regular hot baths, salt flotation baths, or cold plunges + infrared sauna, high-precision treatments, and sculpting massages. It’s warm, welcoming, and inspired by nature. Food is farm to table fresh.
Perks that I can coordinate with this hotel: Early/Late check In/Out if available and a 100 Euros in credit to put toward food, drink or the spa.
Room configuration options:
Two bedroom apartment, king beds with terrace and breakfast. $2,638.64
One king bed suite and one queen room w/breakfast. $1,896.52
The rooms in Grenoble are so affordable this is still within your budget and you will have an apartment to share.
Refundable rates are cancelable up to 48 hours prior to check in.
Which hotel in Paris would you like to stay?
You can’t go wrong with any of these options! Let me know if you would like more suggestions. There are a ton of options in Paris. Prices and availability may have changed but hopeful in a way that benefits you guys!
Paris to Grenoble
Train Ticket Options
You have the choice between coach and first class. First class will allow you to select seats in advance so you can sit with one another. It also includes the cost of boarding with luggage and provides power outlets.
OPTION ONE
DEPART 12:13PM
ARRIVE 3:13PM
FIRST: $367.14 or $660.11 refundable
COACH: $322.69 NR
SEATING: At a table with one another with a fourth seat that may be occupied by a stranger or in a row without a table.
OPTION TWO
DEPART: 3:14PM
ARRIVE: 5:13PM
FIRST: $367.14 or $660.11 refundable
COACH: $344.95 NR
SEATING: Row seating without a table.
Which train tickets would you like purchased?
I recommend first class on the earlier train; only so are guaranteed to travel together and will arrive with a little daylight left in the day.
Transportation within Grenoble
If you stay in the city center you will be able to walk everywhere but to Bella’s interviews. An Uber would be less than $15 and would take 10 minutes max to get there.
If you plan to explore neighboring towns you can rent a midsized SUV for the length of your visit for approximately $500 including the insurance coverage. This would be a more cost effective way to explore and would offer the most flexibility. Let me know if you’re interested (and don’t have a discount code through work or something) and I can book that for you.
Grenoble, NIGHTS 2-5
Option One: RockyPop Grenoble Hotel
Best pick for room configuration and overall comfort.
This hotel is in the city center and a 10 minute Uber ($10-$12) to her interviews. The hotel has a fitness center and sauna on site and is within a ten minute walk of the park, Jardin de Ville gardens, Grenoble-Bestille Cable Car, the museum, and Place Notre Dame for shopping bistros and bars. You’re within a five minute walk of three different public transportation options for exploration ease. The hotel has a restaurant and a bar …plus games, karaoke rooms and bacce ball. It leans young but has the amenities and location that matter and it could be fun to play some tipsy family games. This would be my top pick.
Room configuration options:
Two connecting rooms with breakfast. $2,881.27 or $2231.81 NR
Refundable rates are cancelable up to 24 hours prior to check in. If you would like to book non refundable rates (marked NR) I recommend travel insurance just in case. I can send a quote if you choose to book non refundable rates.
Option TWO: Le Grand Hôtel Grenoble
Best pick for a standard hotel experience.
This hotel is located in the heart of the historic city center and perfect for walking anywhere you would like to visit. It’s also a 10 minute Uber ride ($10-$12) to her interviews. The hotel has a small bar for a glass of wine but the options are limited. It’s easy walking distance to everything in Grenoble and 5-10 minutes from several well rated/fun bistros, shops and bars. This is more of a traditional hotel. It would be a very comfortable stay and is considered one of the top two hotels in town based on guest ratings.
Room configuration options:
Two junior suites with kings beds, with breakfast. $3,344.00
One king suite with a full living room to hang out in and one queen. $3,685.86
Two queen rooms w/breakfast. $3,004.00
All rates are fully refundable up to 24 hours prior to check in.
Option Three: Park Hotel Grenoble
Best pick for a mix between boutique and standard hotel.
This hotel is located smack in the middle of town in a modern, downtown area. It’s about an 11 minute Uber ride ($10-$12) to her interviews. It’s right next to the park if you want to go for a run and it’s about five blocks from a very fun area with lots of bars, bistros and shops. The sites are easy to access from here by foot and the hotel has good ratings. On site, you’ll have access to a small bar where they also serve food and a small fitness center. They also have enough communal space that you have room to hang out outside of your rooms.
Room configuration options:
Two rooms, queen beds, with breakfast. $2,674.78
All rates are fully refundable up to check in.
Option four: Le Relais de Sassenage
Best pick if you want to be walking distance to the lab..
This is the best rated hotel near the lab. There is very little within walking distance of the property but the lab is a 15 minute walk. You would want to take an Uber to and from town for dinner and exploring. It’s about an hour to walk to town. They do have a small bar and restaurant on site though. Not my first pick BUT it’s a basic, clean place to stay for a very affordable price.
Room configuration options:
Two queen rooms, with breakfast. $1,168.10
All rates are fully refundable up to 24 hours prior to check in.
Which hotel in Grenoble would you like to stay in?
Slim pickings in Grenoble so there’s no perfect match for you guys but there were still some decent options available. Prices and availability may have changed but hopeful in a way that benefits you guys!
Grenoble to paris
Train Ticket Options
You have the choice between coach and first class. First class will allow you to select seats in advance so you can sit with one another. It also includes the cost of boarding with luggage and provides power outlets.
OPTION ONE
DEPART 11:04AM
ARRIVE 3:27PM
FIRST ClASS COST: $196.58 or $660.22 refundable
COACH CLASS COST: $174.33 NR
SEATING: Table and row seating available.
OPTION TWO
DEPART: 2:45PM
ARRIVE: 5:47PM
FIRST CLASS COST: $367.20, refundable is unavailable
COACH CLASS COST: $344.95
SEATING: Table or row seating available.
Which train tickets would you like purchased?
I recommend first class on the earlier train if you would like to stay in Paris and have a last dinner out. I recommend the later train if you would prefer to stay near the airport to make your morning flight much easier to get to.
Paris, night 7
Option one: Sheraton Paris Charles de Gaulle
Best pick in the airport.
This hotel is located in terminal 2 of the airport and has the highest ratings among the hotels in/by the airport. Maximum ease for your morning flight. It has a gym, bar, restaurant, room service, and pool table. It looks like it has the feel of spending the night in the first class lounge BUT it’s a well oiled machine that won’t steer you wrong before a flight. This is your best choice near the airport.
Room configuration options:
One king room w/breakfast and one double bed room w/breakfast. $897.61
One king room and one double room, no breakfast. $796.72 NR
Refundable rates are cancelable up to 48 hours prior to check in.
Would you like to stay by the airport?
If not, you can select from one of the hotels I suggested for your first night. The trip to the airport will be about an hour by car for options 2 and 3, and 35 minutes from options 1 and 4. I can provide a transportation quote if you decide to stay in Paris and not at the airport.