zizz

After weeks of researching, it appears that the 1st arrondisement is the most central. Yet I can't find anything but very pricey hotels like Westin Paris or old and needing refurbishment like St James and Albany. My husband has given me a budget of EUR250/nite (gave me an add'l EUR50 budget yipee!) and I would like something 3 or better yet closer to a 4 star that's actually worth its value.

If that's quite impossible, can you please tell me which is more central - the 6th or the 7th? I was quite keen on Le Saint Gregoire on the 6th as people here seem to love the 6th but it doesn't seem to be walking distance to anywhere. I know the metro is convenient but I prefer to walk so I would like something more that is walkable to a few attractions. I'm thinking something like the K&K Cayre but that's way above my budget.

Ackislander

The Saint-Gregoire is in a great location! Easy walk to Luxembourg Gardens, Montparnasse, shopping in Cherche Midi, Sevres Babylone, Rue du Bac; Rodin Museum, Pont Neuf, Odeon, etc. A simple and interesting bus rides to the Marais and Louvre-Palais Royal etc. It is a nice neighborhood in itself. There is a Holiday Inn across the street (address on Rue Vaugirard but really on Abbe Gregoire) for less money if you could admit to your friends that you went to Paris and stayed in a Holiday Inn. Also airconditioned. There are lots of good places to eat toward Cherche Midi and beyond, there is a great cafe on the corner where Vaugirard and Rue de Rennes meet with an
ATM just across the street, and an epicerie/traiteur across that intersection and the Metro stop that was the Head Cheese champion of France!

Go for it!

Margaretlb

For a first visit, I'd recommend the 6th. You'll really feel like you're in Paris and it's an easy walk to lots of places. Also, great transportation with both Metro and buses readily accessible. Don't hesitate to stay in the 6th!

Travelnut

There are a lot of hotels in the 3* category in the 6th with that budget.
Try:
Hotel Millesime
Hotel le Senat
Hotel Luxembourg
Hotel la Perle

Neopolitan

Many years ago I "made the mistake" of staying in the 1st for our first Paris visit because looking at the maps that seemed to be the place we should be. Every trip since then (10 or 12, maybe?) we've stayed in either the 5th or the 6th and have been much happier.

jody

We've stayed several times at the Millesime on rue Jacob and walked just about everywhere..Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Rodin, Louvre, D'Orsay, Lux Gardens, Tuileries, Trocadero..etc. It is a much livlier area than the 1st. IMO

knoxvillecouple

We stayed at the Brighton Hotel on Rue de Rivoli last September, in a room on the 4th floor facing the Tuileries, and were elated with it. Convenient to so many places. Beautiful views from our balcony. Very reasonably priced (165 € per night as I recall), not including breakfast (8 € per person).

KC

Christina

I don't know about 4* hotels, but there are certainly cheaper but nice hotels in the 1st arrondisement than the Westin, and they shouldn't be that hard to find. Like the Hotel de la place de Louvre (on www.esprit-de-france.com) or Hotel Relais du Louvre.

www.relaisdulouvre.com

Those are 3* hotels with rates of 200 euro or less for a double (even for a superior double, I think).

SuzieC

I loved staying at the Hotel Relais du Louvre... great staff; love having my coffee/croissant/panne du chocolate/orange juice, etc. brought to me in the morning. AND quiet!!
Well within your budget and awfully pretty, small hotel

Underhill

For a very pleasant small hotel in a great location in your price range, take a look at the Hôtel Mansart. It's just off the Place Vendôme--and in fact shares one wall with the Ritz!--on a side street with a drugstore, post office, and ATM machine. The hotel gets 3 stars. We like its "old Paris" feeling and the antique furniture in the rooms. A superior twin is fairly large, BTW.

Here's a link:

http://www.123france.com/123/en/hotel.php?id_hot=843

zizz

Many thanks to all those who replied. I am now convinced that I made the right choice choosing the 6th. (I actually had 8th as my very first choice and then I realised my mistake...)

I can always sightsee during the day. It's always good to be around somewhere lively at night - that is if my feet can take any more walking at that time!