kwren

We are now looking to stay in a hotel about 400 (possibly a bit more if really special) Euros a night in Paris for October. We've been to Paris many times and have stayed in different hotels, different areas of the city, and with varying budgets, but never at this price point.

Any favorites you can recommend? We are looking at the Hotel Splendide Etoile right now, with a direct view of the Arc de Triomphe, but would like to hear comments about that hotel and its location just into the 17th arrondissement, and then any comparable hotels in that price range. Whatever we end up doing during the day, we know we'll be taking the Metro so location isn't really an issue. I do like a good view though! (For the first part of the trip, we will have a view of the entire Eiffel Tower from the apartment we booked, for example)

What would you do for that budget? What are your favorites???

Merci!

Fodorite018

We loved our stay at the Brittanique. It is in the 1st, but on a side street and so it was very quiet. The metro was not even a block away, and it was a block to the Seine. The rooms are very nicely done, with ample closet space (robes included), and it has a/c. I would stay there again in a heartbeat!

Whathello

We've been several times but didn't pay that price - check sites that offer discount.

We had once a room with a great balcony with a view on the Arc, which is very close. What I didn't like was that the room was overheated and I couldn't lower it. It is a real 4 stars with a real service.

The area in itself is nice but empty after 8 pm. You are excentered there.

Mc Mahon very close is even more expensive and my wife liked it - not been there myself.

Whathello

Britannique and Splendid are not on the same level.
It is quite nice but much smaller, with a much more normal service. And the situation is indeed perfectly central.

But if OP likes luxury of 4 or 5*, Britannique is too short.

Christina

I've stayed in a hotel in that general area once, and it was fine. It's a rather posh area, it seemed to me (in terms of restaurants and residents). I was only there one night in-transit though. I was a few blocks further up ave Carnot, though (in the Regence Etoile, definitely a lower class hotel). I'm not sure what it would be like so close to the arc, at least you aren't right on the ring road around the place, but one block away. Of course, that goes with the territory of wanting an up-close view of a monument.

You know the Splendid Etoile is right next to the Pre Carre restaurant which is very well regarded. It's not cheap, of course, but not super expensive, either, compared to some of those wellknown ones.

That area right near the Arc is just less neighborhood-y than the areas I typically stay, but I don't stay in hotels at that price point, so there you go, they tend to be in certain areas that are not casual middle or working class neighborhoods, and have more expensive hotels, restaurants and businesses, also.

travelhorizons

Giving quotes for 15OCT (you didn't say... )Take a look at Victoria Palace - 376€ or d'Aubusson - 420€.

Fodorite018

Whathello--I realize that, but she is looking for suggestions of places to stay that people liked, so I posted what we enjoyed. She can take a look at if it she wants, or not.

apersuader65

The Pullman has rooms with views of the Eiffel tower in that range. I've a school friend who has stayed their for work several times and loved it.

Gwendolynn

We stayed twice at the Hotel Pont Royal on the Rue du Bac. Terrific location around the corner from the Blvd. Saint Germain, walking distance to Louvre, d'Orsay museum. Restaurant l'Atelier de Joel Robuchon is in the hotel and one can get reservations thru the hotel. (Bring lots of $$). Rooms are smaller, like most Paris hotels. There are more expensive rooms with views on the higher floors. Right now, if booking on their web site they are offering free breakfast with non-refundable bookings. Personally, I didn't find the breakfast anything special.

Of course, this location might be too close to the neighborhood your apt. will be in if you want a varied experience.

Have a great trip.

Pepper_von_snoot

If you were posh, you would like L'Abbaye near Saint-Sulpice.

I HATE the area around the Champs ELYSEES.

Thin

kwren

Thank you for all the responses. I appreciate you all taking the time to help.

L'Abbaye is completely full.
Britannique is beautiful...just my style.
Some of the others I've already checked out before asking about the Splendide Etoile. I am definitely going to look into all of the suggestions.

We've never stayed in 4* or 5* before but DH is interested in giving a 4* a try. I can say that (aside from price), the websites of the 5* don't have the pull of a small charming 3* for me. I stayed in a 2* alone once and said never again. 4*? I'll have to reserve judgement. However, I talked DH into this trip so I'd better let him have a say ( )

We don't care about the location quite as much as we've been to Paris quite a few times.

Thanks again all!

Jean

Look at the Hotel Francois 1er in the 8th:

http://the-paris-hotel.com/

Underhill

We really like the Hôtel le Madison, right across from the church of St-Germain-des-Prés and the metro stop there. Very elegant, small, big buffet breakfast but close to a Paul's boulangerie.

fuzzbucket

You might take a look at this place:
http://www.hotel-grandes-ecoles.com/

Or go all-out here:
http://www.saint-james-paris.com/

swandav2000

Hi kwren,

When I was working and had the disposable funds, I stayed at the Hotel Brighton for a week. My room had views over the Tuileries, and I adored it!

Have fun as you plan!

s

Whathello

Pay attention to 4* in Paris at least.
Some are upgraded 3* and don't really deserve their 4*.
Splendid and Mc Mahon are real 4* in my opinion.

Since you seem to like the kind of hotels Ilike and your husband wants to try the hotels my wife likes, here are a few recs where I could bring my wife :

Hotel Fabric, 11e
Hotel des Grands Hommes : 5e in front of the Pantheon : superb

(Villa glamour : in the 16 - but far from everything - good hotel, nice location if you want to be left alone. )

The rest of the hotels I sleep in are 3* of about 100-120 € - ok, but lacking the charm of these here. If you are interested, just say so.

kwren

So many beautiful hotels. Some I would snatch up but we need a bigger room and it's too expensive in some of these. I'm certainly enjoying looking and have bookmarked quite a few for the future! No matter which I choose for now, there are about 4 or 5 here that I really want to go to!!! Luckily, we love to go to Paris so I know I will have the chance.

Somehow when I was looking at the Madison, the Orsay popped up. That's pretty too. Anyone ever stay there?

Christina

I stay in a 4* hotel in Paris occasionally (one) but that's because I've been going there about 25 years and it used to be a 3*, didn't even have AC. Was glad when the AC came in but it became a 4* within the last couple years for reasons I cannot even guess. They did redecorate but that's all I've noticed. Nothing else changed as far as I could see, no new services/amenities and I'm fairly familiar with the French star rating system. So staying in it for some great 4* experience would be a big mistake, which is why I think you do kind of have to read some recommendations, although you could tell a lot just by some photos and the hotel "amenities" in a broad sense. YOu could tell from the one I stay at that it doesn't look like anything deluxe. DOn't get me wrong, it is very nice which is why I stay there, but doesn't seem like a 4* to me. At least whathello can comment on the Splendid.

I stayed near the Brittanique once and it was an okay area, but this is now getting off the point that you asked about (special views) and just mentioning hotels people like. Because it sure doesn't have any grand view, as most hotels in Paris don't, being in a big city.

If I wanted a great view in Paris, I would want the river more than some monument myself. Pont Alexandre wouldn't be bad, either. And I don't even like the Tuileries gardens that much, either, too formal. There aren't many hotels with views of the Seine, actually, at least not on the LEft Bank. H Quai des Voltaire is not 4*+, and Les Rives Notre Dame is 4* but rooms don't look it.

I would thus consider the Hotel Parc St SEverin on the LEft Bank, the superior terrace rooms or the panoramic terrace room (even though the rooms aren't as charming as I'd like). It is in the same hotel group as the H d'Orsay, in fact (and the same group as the one I stay in, the Aiglon, which is 4* nominally). I like that hotel group a lot.

fuzzbucket

You asked about the neighborhood of the Etoile Splendid - there isn't much there, except big beautiful Haussmannian buildings, some pricey restaurants and a few shops.

But if you look in the 15th, you'll find hotels with views of the Eiffel Tower that are much more affordable.

I agree that there really isn't much point to chasing a "view", and that monuments are best appreciated when you can see the whole thing, not just a portion of it from a distance.

One of the nicest hotels I know is on Ile Saint-Louis, just about 2 blocks from Notre Dame. Like most hotels, what it lacks in the "view" will be made up for in the "neighborhood".
http://www.saintlouisenlisle.com/

kwren

Oh, but there is a point to chasing a view!

I've gone on different types of vacations and I often want some sort of view. If I'm on an island, I want to see the beach. If on a cruise, the ocean.
When in Switzerland, always the mountains. Some people just love a view that they could never have at home. For better or worse, I am one of them.

The place we are staying the first half of this trip has a view of the entire Eiffel Tower from the living room, kitchen and bedroom and I can't wait. I'll be lying in bed watching it sparkle, I guarantee you! I'll be happy the minute I open my eyes in the morning! The next half of the trip, the view is not quite as important but it would be in keeping with the theme so why not. It's just that type of vacation! I've waited 10 years for this particular trip which will be different from any other for me.

I do agree that a view of the Seine would be wonderful though. I saw an apartment looking out over it and thought that it would be beautiful to stay there someday.

I'm also having just as much fun reading about all these suggested hotels. It's all part of the process. We have a few specific requirements I haven't mentioned, so I have to consider them as well and they are knocking a few otherwise appealing hotels out of the running for this trip. I'm also running into hotels being booked already for some of our nights (ie. Parc St Severin)

I appreciate all the suggestions and I now have a list of possibilities for future trips.