I'm planning this trip in addition to my other one but won't be until later in 2018.
What hotels can I stay in near the station and also I hear there's a few options one direct train or one with changes? Where is best to look online to book this journey?
My plan is London to Paris with a night stay over and go to Barcelona next day.
Did this journey in October, and stayed the night in Paris.
We've stayed at the
Holiday Inn at Canal de la Villete twice now, which is a great hotel right next to one of the canals which branch off from the Seine (hence the name), and great value compared to all the other rip off independent hotel brands in Paris. All rooms have their own private balcony, and there's a high quality sports bar situated next to reception. Alternatively there's a more traditional pub over the swing bridge directly opposite, as well as another one onboard a moored ship next to it, which also has a hut for motor boat rentals (can drive where ever you choose as long as you return within the time constraits) which I highly recommend; providing you can haggle a little!.
It's within a 5-10 minute walk from Gare du Nord and next to Riquet Metro station, which can be reached from Gare Du Nord by changing at Stalingrad. Given the close proximity, we walked to Stalingrad which is just adjacent to Riquet at the other side of the canal, and within sight from the hotel. For Gare du Lyon we took the metro from Stalingrad (which you change at from Riquet) to Gare du Nord, then the RER to Gare du Lyon. The whole commute took about 10-20 minutes max, although it depends on the RER timetable.
Thoroughly recommend any of the Holiday Inn Express hotels in Paris. Great quality hotels and what you'd expect from a company with a great reputation for consistensy and quality. The one at Gare du l'Est even gives you a lovely view of the Eiffel Tower and a great view of the station facade, although it's smack bang in a the middle of the streets, unlike Canal de la Villete. We booked over the phone with
Canterbury travel for European rail fares which were very reasonable compared to what we could find online.