Paris - Travel and Hotel Experience

Paris 2024. What. A. Trip!

Wonderful! Magnificent! Spectacular! I've run out of synonyms!

This trip was the first time I had travelled abroad with just me and a friend; the sense of freedom was incredible. Don't get me wrong, I love travelling with my family. They are 100% some of my best memories and something I will do for the rest of my life hopefully, but the independence I achieved, the maturity and the confidence that was unlocked from this trip is something that will stay with me for life!

I simply have too much to say about each aspect of this trip so I've broken it down into chunks so that I remember every little detail!

Section 1: Travel and Hotel

We chose Montmartre to act as our base for the weekend as the transport links from there were so easy to navigate. Also, with the Gare du Nord being located in Montmartre (we travelled via Eurostar) it made it so easy for us so that we were not lugging our luggage through the entire city! 

I had never travelled via the Eurostar before, Le Shuttle, yes - almost all our family holidays as a child and now are via Le Shuttle. The ease, the familiarity of your own car, unlimited luggage allowance - provided it fits in the car! The freedom to travel the entirety of Europe appeals to us every time, not to mention is it very cost effective! I am glad to say, with my expectations already high from my Le Shuttle experiences, I was not disappointed with the Eurostar! It was so easy! From the check in, to security, to the waiting area everything was just simple and smooth for us. Now the waiting area was rather small and, considering we were travelling on August bank holiday, we were expecting for it to be busy and it was. However with trains constantly coming and going the crowds do disperse as soon as they appear so I never felt uncomfortable or claustrophobic. The carriages on the train were clean, the chairs were comfortable, we were very happy for the 2 hour train ride to Paris! I am 100% going to take the Eurostar again! New way to travel unlocked! 

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

We chose our Paris base to be Hotel Bellevue. With its location a 10-20 minute walk away from Gard de Nord and various Metro stops located around the hotel, it was perfect for us. The room size was ideal with twin beds, the ensuite was cleaned everyday for us whilst we were exploring, comfortable beds - which for someone with a horrendous back was much appreciated! The room was cool despite it being the height of summer and aircon not being in the room, but with the windows open it provided the breeze that we needed to cool down after a long day exploring and the walls were so thick that the heat never became overwhelming. We opted to add the breakfast for the duration of our stay which was the quintessential continental breakfast of croissant and various pastries, cooked meets and eggs, yoghurt and various other foods, tea, coffee and fruit juice - the perfect fuel that we needed for the day! I still think about the food we ate there!

The staff here were some of the friendliest people we encountered, they always greeted you with  a smile and answered any questions you had about the hotel or the surrounding area (and put up with our limited French which we were grateful for!). For safety, they prefer you to hand your room key back when you leave the hotel for the day and collect it when you return which I wasn't sure I would like, however we kept all our valuables on us (alternatively you could request a safe for your room at reception), and not having to worry about the key was actually reassuring and one less thing to keep track of - an unexpected bonus! As two females in our 20s we felt nothing but safe at this hotel and would definitely recommend. 

Just because it provided us with so much amusement over the trip I do have to give the stairs and lift an honourable mention. Lovingly nicknamed the death stairs and death lift, they are in-keeping with the age of the hotel. The stairs, for us individuals with mobility and balance issues, are a little bit hazardous. Whilst perfectly fine and stable they are a bit uneven and lean in towards the banister which, when you are not expecting it, did cause me to stumble the first few times I used them and provide a giggle for those with me! The lift, decorated with deep wood panelling and red carpet and ceiling, in keeping with the hotel, and the compact nature of it (probably couldn't fit more than 2 at a time, 1 if you're in a wheelchair/have a walking aid) but the noises it makes when it moves does make you wonder if it is going to make it to your floor! A good'ol game of jeopardy when you are returning to your room! Love it!

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟