The Hotel du 7e art has flicked its last feature, and has sadly closed. It is currently being redeveloped into a much fancier hotel, the Charles V.

But don’t despair. There are still great budget hotels available in Paris. See our favorites here.

From the archives:

If you’re a film buff, a fan of independent hotels and plan on visiting Paris soon, Hotel du 7e Art is the place for you. Decked out with vintage film posters that give nods to Hollywood musicals from eras past, this hotel has a very special theme. Situated within the trendy Saint-Paul neighborhood in the Marais, it aims to celebrate the film culture of the mid-20th century, enshrining figures such as Marilyn Monroe and Gene Kelly. Everywhere you look, you’ll find some sort of film motif, from the outside entrance to even the shower tiles.

For some, the movie theme might be over the top, but I found the kitschiness lends character to what is already a lovely, affordable hotel. A minute’s walk from the Seine in the heart of the Marais, the location really can’t be beat. The rooms are comfortable, with wood paneling and large windows. The bathrooms are impeccably clean with black and white tiling. At prices ranging from €85-180 per night, what’s not to like?

We recently sat down with Yolene, who works for the hotel, to find out more about this quirky gem.

There’s a funky film theme everywhere you look at Hotel du 7e Art. Photo: Kaitlin Davella

Q: So, what’s the deal with all the film posters?

A: Well, as you may have guessed, the owner is a very big fan of films. He specifically enjoys those from the 1940s and ’50s, and even more so those with singing and dancing. His favorites are Fred Astaire and Frank Sinatra.

Q: But why make a hotel dedicated to films?

A: The owner was interested in opening a hotel and wanted it to be special in some way. A hotel with a movie theme is certainly unique! So, when it opened in 1986, Hotel 7eme Arts was decorated as an homage to all his favorite movies. And it has remained more or less the same since then!

Q: Well, it looks wonderful to this day. I’m sure the theme really resonates with the guests! Is there a certain type of guest that usually stays here?

A: Yes. Most people who stay here are big movie buffs themselves. When it opened, most of the guests were American. As word spread over the years, we’ve built up a loyal following of Americans who come year after year, and recommend it to their friends and families. Of course, we have guests from all over the world, but I would say the majority are movie fans, Americans, and often both.

Q: What do you think of the area where Hotel 7eme Arts is located?

A: When the hotel opened in the 1980’s, Saint Paul was not what it is today. We have been very lucky to watch the neighborhood change and grow into the bustling cultural epicenter. The Marais is like the Greenwich Village of Paris. Of course, we attract many guests who are impressed by the location. We are minutes from the Notre Dame, the Seine and the center of the Marais. We are very lucky!

Q: Lucky indeed! So, do you have a favorite film yourself?

A: Singing in the Rain!

Thanks for chatting with us, Yolene. We wish you and Hotel 7eme Arts continued success!

One of the cozy and affordable rooms at Hotel du 7e Art. Photo: EuroCheapo

Hotel du 7e Art

20 rue St Paul
4th arrondissement
01 44 54 85 00
Metro: Saint-Paul (Line 1)

The post Paris: Q & A with Hotel du 7e Art, an affordable stay with a fun movie theme in the Marais appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

When I entered the antique wooden doors of the hotel, located a short walk from Pont Neuf and Odeon, I found a man in the lobby staring out the sunny window, tapping his toes to the sounds of some catchy jazz music. “Bonjour, jeune fille!” he sang to me, in tune with the song. It was Henri le Goubin, co-founder of the hotel. He turned down the music to tell me about the history of his special hotel.

Henri le Goubin is one of the proprietors of the Hotel Saint-Andre-des-Arts in Paris. Photo by Kaitlin Davella

Q: When was this hotel founded?

I founded the Hotel Saint-Andre-des-Arts in 1978 along with my brother. It has been in the family since then! I recently passed the hotel down to my son, who has been the owner for about two years now.

Q: The building is certainly older than that. What was it used for in the past?

This building was built towards the end of the 16th century. It still retains its historic charm—look at these stone walls! It was probably used to house military, like many of the other buildings on this street.

Since then, many interesting people have lived here. In the 1960’s, some great American jazz musicians stayed within these walls. Do you hear this jazz music? It’s Zoot Sims, a musician who lived in here in 1960.

Q: Wow, sounds like many talented people have stayed here! Have you welcomed any interesting guests since you founded the hotel?

Oh, yes, bien sûr. I won’t say names, but we have hosted a Nobel Prize Laureate in the category of Literature, an American actress who has won many Oscars, and an Olympic champion, to name a few. In the past, this was a historic hotel of the New York living theatre!

Rooms at the St. Andre des Arts have old stone walls.

Q: Your location in the chic Saint German des Prés area must have something to do with the company of all these talented figures. What do you think of the neighborhood, and how has it changed over time?

Saint Germain des Prés is a place that attracts intellectuals and artists. Of course it has changed over the years; I have noticed there are less and less bookshops on the streets. In many ways it reminds me of the Chelsea neighborhood in New York City. These two spots are becoming more cosmopolitan, but never lose their charm. As for the evolution of businesses in this neighborhood, well, they may change, but we never do!

Q: As Saint Germain des Prés becomes more chic, how do you keep the hotel so affordable?

We are a family business with clients who return year after year. Many hotels rely on seasonal tourism, but we always have guests year-round. Many of our clients are artists, writers, or even students. They appreciate our prices so they keep returning. Just last week we had a big group of returning American university students.

Q: With all these international guests, do you have special places in Paris you recommend to visit?

When guests ask us for places to go out to eat, we tell them to go where we eat ourselves. All of the little neighborhood spots are wonderful. There’s a great poissonerie around the corner… in fact I’m going there tomorrow.

Thanks for chatting with EuroCheapo, Mr. le Goubin! We wish you, your son and your charming hotel continued success.

Read our full review of the hotel here, and for more information on independent and affordable hotels in Paris, see all of recommended picks in our Paris hotel guide.

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This is very much a family business isn’t it? I’ve just had the pleasure of meeting your father and your wife. Tell me a little bit about your family and the hotel.

Yes, it started with my grandparents running a bed and breakfast here in the 1960s. My parents were running a dairy up in north London that they sold to come here. They bought the building next door and joined it into the hotel, and I eventually came to work here too. Me and my dad are here everyday.

Approaching the Ridgemount Hotel on Gower Street.

People must really enjoy that personal touch. Is that what makes the Ridgemount hotel special, do you think?

Yeah, it’s not really everywhere you get the owners in from seven in the morning until 6pm. My dad goes round at breakfast every day and asks people where they are going, and people really seem to like that.

It’s nice working with your family. We’re very lucky with the people we have working here as well. The longest one has been here 25 years, and the next one up from that has been here 15. No one has been here less than five. So we all know each other well and that’s nice too.

Do you have lots of repeat visitors who have got to know you and your family over the years?

There are some people we’ve got in at the moment who were showing us a picture they took in our dining room in the 1980s. My mum and dad look really funny in it! There’s another couple staying who were here 20 years ago. Most of our business is repeat or word of mouth recommendation.

Aside from the personal touch you offer, what else do people like about staying at the Ridgemount?

We’ve got a very good location here, near the University and the British Museum and you can walk to lots of places. People who stay here love the location. It’s a handy spot.

A lot of people also like the history. This is an old Georgian building with a lot of stories! My wife researched the history last year and it’s now up on the website. She did quite a lot of research into who lived here and the history of the buildings and the previous tenants. One of Jack the Ripper’s victims, Long Liz, actually used to live here, in the 19th century.

And has the area changed a lot since your family has owned the hotel?

Well, back in the day, all the hotels on the street used to be privately owned and you knew everyone. Now, it’s not like that any more and four or five are chains, or you don’t know who owns them, and the hotels have become quite generic. It is a real shame. That’s the main change on the street.

What are your favorite local spots?

It’s a good area with lots of traditional restaurants. Gigs, the Fish and Chips shop near Goodge Street, does really, really good fish and chips. And I’m fussy about my fish and chips. Then there is Mondello, a family run Italian restaurant that has been there for a long, long time. And the owners are there every night too. There’s also the Italian Coffee Company and they do slices of pizzas for a few quid. You can get really good cheap food around here.

And what would be your more unusual recommendations for places to visit around London?

I like the Churchill War Rooms–the people who do go there always really enjoy it. The markets as well. Borough Market is very popular, and Spitalfields market and Portobello are really interesting too.

What’s a good cheapo tip for London visitors?

The Gatwick Express does a four-for-two offer, which they don’t really advertise. There’s lots of stuff that’s cheaper online, such as the Big Bus tours or Madame Tussauds. It’s always worth looking online for vouchers: Café Rouge has usually got an offer on, for example.

What’s next for the Ridgemount?

At the moment half the hotel is basic [shared bath], and half is en suite. Our en suite rooms are always booked up, but it’s getting harder to fill the basics, so we’re gradually changing them over.

And the dining room is new. It used to be half a dining room on one side, and half the other side from back when it was two hotels. We’ve just knocked the wall down. On the website, I believe the picture of the dining room is still our old one. It’s a bit silly to keep it up there but I like it as people keep telling us how much nicer our dining room is now!

Thanks for taking the time to talk to us, Aled. Continued success with the Ridgemount!

For more information on the Ridgemount, read our full review here.

The post Hotel Q&A: London’s Ridgemount Hotel on keeping it personal appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

These days, the rates are still among the most affordable in Florence, while they’ve introduced some amenities not even contemplated back in 2002 (Wi-Fi anyone?). But what’s changed since they opened, and what advice do they have for Florence-bound tourists?

We sent correspondent Taylor Zerbey to speak with Samanta and Marco recently. Here’s what she learned.

1. First off, why did you name your hotel the “Hotel Dali” ?

Samanta: Before, the hotel had been named “Pensione Orologio,” and it’s located on via dell’Oriuolo, so we thought that it would have been impossible to spell it over the telephone to our guests, so we looked for another name.

We both love art, we have many friends that paint, do photography etc, so we really wanted to give a personal touch to this small place by showing off their works… we thought that Dalì (from Salvador Dalì) was the perfect name: international, short, easy to spell, and a crazy man like us (as we were starting this business with no experience and a lot of debts).

And last but not least, when you pronounce “DALi” you end up with a smile on your face… so we thought it was a good sign!

2. What advice do you have for travelers visiting Florence for the first time?

Take your time, don’t rush—remember “Dolce Vita.” If possible spend more than one night. I know that you may have only a short time to see Italy, but Florence, as every other city in Italy, deserves time, calm, to feel the city, the people, the food. Otherwise when you get back home you won’t remember the differences between Florence, Rome, Pisa or Naples and differences are what make Italy such a beautiful country.

3. The best cheap meal in Florence?

We like to suggest Zio Gigi (Via Folco Portinari, 7-r) and Masticabrodo (Borgo Allegri, 53), two small trattorias close to the hotel where you can have a full meal for €20. Otherwise, head to any “pizzicheria” and “gastronomia” to grab a panino with anything you want inside for fast food Italian-style.

4. Don’t leave Florence without… ?

• Climbing the stairs to Piazzale Michelangelo, the most beautiful view of the city free of charge!

• Talking about food: Try ribollita in the wintertime and panzanella in summer time, for those that like strong flavored “lampredotto” panino.

• Getting lost, wandering through the small street of Oltrarno will make you feel like you are living in another century.

5. In which ways do you see Florence changing?

Many of the old shops have been obliged to close and give up their space to big companies selling fast food or junk or low quality coffee, places that are the same all over the world and serve the same things everywhere. As I said, differences are the most precious things we have, and I feel scared when I see that the city is starting to look similar to a mall.

6. What do you find travelers struggling with the most when they first come to Florence? Do you find they arrive with any misconceptions?

They certainly “struggle” with traffic and the complicated one-way system in this town, but even if Florence is not a good place travel by car, most people still use a car.

The misconception may be that they don’t feel safe and they need to be reassured by us that nothing will happen to them.

7. Are there any special offers going on that Cheapos should know about?

During springtime there is a “week of culture” when all the state museums are free. And from mid-November to mid-March it’s low season, so prices everywhere are much cheaper.

Thanks so much for your time, Samanta and Marco! We wish you continued success with the Hotel Dali!

You can read our review of the Dali here.

The post Q&A: Samanta and Marco of the Hotel Dali in Florence appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Q. Tell me a bit about the hotel.

My grandfather started this place in 1970, when he bought the Luna side and it’s been in the family since then. It’s now in the hands of my father and uncle. The Luna bit of the name came about because of a rocket launch at that time – it means “moon” in Italian.

In 1986, they bought the Simone. The previous owner had named it after his niece, whose name was Simone. He would sell, but said the name had to stay the same. So basically, they said, “what if we join the two names together?” Hence the Luna & Simone.

Q. The fact it’s a family business must shape the character of the hotel?

My uncle and father are here at breakfast, and pop in and out. I’ve been working here since I was 16, with a break to study hospitality at university, and I work here in the afternoons. The friendship of the staff is very important as well. The staff is mainly family but, of those who aren’t, I don’t think there is anyone who has been here less than seven or eight years. That’s like a family, which is very important to the business of course. It makes it a very family friendly hotel.

Q. Has the area changed a lot over the years?

I lived around the corner until I was four, and moved back here after university. It’s much cleaner now. The number of hotels has expanded over the years, because it’s such a good location. There are also so many restaurants now – 20 or 30 restaurants close by. In the area, they’re spending billions on the redevelopment of Victoria at the moment, and Battersea Power Station too. It’s changed a lot.

Q. What do you like about your location?

It’s excellent for getting about London, and to and from the airports too. We’re close to Victoria Station and Pimlico, and the number 24 bus is a big plus as well. It goes to Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar Square, all the way up to Camden Town. We’re very lucky to have that bus!

Q. What do you advise your guests to do in London?

Take a trip on the 24 bus up to Camden to see the markets. Portobello is worth a visit too, to visit the antiques market. I like the Natural History Museum – the museums are free to get into – and the Tower of London is one of my favorites as well.

There are some great deals on theatre tickets if you go to the half-price ticket booth in Leicester Square and if you don’t mind going on the day, and are not too fussy about what you see.

My personal opinion is that eating round here, in the local community is better value and much nicer than eating right in the centre.

Q. Is there anything that visitors to London should be prepared for?

The size of the rooms! This building is historic, built in 1845, which means the rooms are smaller than our customers might expect. I remember going to Las Vegas and getting a huge room – London certainly isn’t like that. Our philosophy is good, clean rooms and at a good price for this location.

Thank you Mark!

The post Hotelier Q&A: Mark Desira of Luna & Simone Hotel, London appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Is it possible to reserve a double room for three people? There are three of us traveling to Paris in the spring. We’re friends and could easily share a double. Do you think anyone would notice or care if we snuck our third friend in?

— A.H., Columbia, MO

Ah yes, the old “sneak an extra person in” routine. Quite frankly, this strategy works much better at motels in Milwaukee than at pensions in Paris, where budget accommodations tend to be small, family run affairs.

Ethical answer: Don’t do it. You’re depriving hotel owners of the rates they’ve set—rates that every other guest is paying.

Practical answer: Don’t do it. Sneaking an extra person past the front desk and into your room will almost certainly be noticed. Most smaller hotels and pensions only have one entrance, and it’s right next to the front desk. Sneaky hijinks will be noticed, and will almost certainly be foiled. From our position as experienced travelers, it’s almost painful to consider what might happen.

Furthermore, most European hotel rooms are small. A double room does not necessarily mean two double beds, as it does at American roadside motels. It means, quite often, a small room with one double bed or two twins.

Our advice: Book a triple. You might also try asking the hotel if it would be possible to book a double room with an extra bed. If this is an option, it will typically involve the addition of a rollaway bed and should be cheaper than a triple.

Either way, you’ll sleep better.

Have a question for our editors? Email us!

The post Ask the Cheapos: Sneaking an Extra Guest in appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

“I’ve heard about these cheap flights (like $10 to fly from London to Florence!) that you can get around Europe. Your site seems really enthusiastic about these airlines, but a friend told me that you can only book them from Europe and you have to be European in order to fly them. Is this true?”

Sarah H, Ohio.

Thanks for you email, Sarah. Your friend obviously cares for you and is eager to help out with your travel plans. He or she is also dead wrong.

With very few exceptions, flights on European budget airlines (including industry leaders like easyJet, Germanwings, Ryanair, and Sky Europe) may be purchased after all, you’re booking these tickets over the Internet.

One of the best things about ticketless, budget airlines is that, in most respects, they’ve made buying and flying easier than ever. So fly, fly, fly, Sarah!

The post Ask the Cheapos: Can Low-Cost Euro Airfares Be Purchased Outside of Europe? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

“Do you have any idea how I can get to Copenhagen from Madrid by train or bus? I’m looking for a cheaper alternative because flying will cost a lot more.

“Is there a site I can look into? I’ve been searching online but I haven’t found what I’ve been looking for. I need prices and schedules.”

Answer: Yikes. For your own sanity, please fly. Taking a train or bus from Madrid to Copenhagen is certain to be a very long—quite possibly frustrating—experience that is guaranteed to cost more in the end than flying on a low-cost air carrier.

The bus option: SAIA buslines, a Spanish member of the EuroLines bus network, will bus you from Madrid to Hamburg, Germany for €143, in 31 hours. You will then have to book a ferry from Hamburg to Copenhagen, which can also be expensive. Do you really want to rock the boat after 31 hours on a bus?

The train option: Eurail passes aren’t the answer for you, as they cover a minimum of 15 days of consecutive train travel ($636) or 10 days of travel over two months ($751). Booking a trip from Spain to Copenhagen directly through renfe, the Spanish railroad, will also be very pricey and doesn’t appear to be available online. Good luck!

The flight option: Though we couldn’t find any low-cost carriers flying directly from Madrid to Copenhagen, there are flights from Barcelona to Copenhagen on Sterling.dk, the Danish airline, for as low as €81, each way.

But how to get from Madrid to Barcelona? Vueling, a Spanish low-cost carrier, can fly you to Barcelona for €30 to €40. Another option is the train, which runs about ten times a day between the cities, for €63.60.

Have a question to Ask the Cheapos? Fire away! We can’t respond to all the questions we receive, but we’ll try!

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