The area around the Eifel Tower is very quiet and not close to a lot of other things. (And few hotels have rooms with views of the tower.) I know is is the icon for the city - but it's actually quite far west versus many of the other things you will want to see and do.

I would opt to stay in the 4thm 5th or 6th instead - near more to see and do - and more cafes/restaurants. Whatever you do make sure your hotel is near a metro station.

Thank you!
any rec's for those 3? Is something around the Louvre a good idea? The Hotel Luxembourg Parc? (I liked the look of that one.)

We stayed at Hotel la Bourdonnais, in the 7th and liked it very much. Nice-sized quad room for our family, with A/C and a lift. GREAT view of the Eiffel Tower from our little balcony (room 503). Friendly front desk, too. Offered a simple breakfast buffet, but we chose to visit Rue Cler in the mornings, for coffee, croissants, crepes and fresh fruit. A nice market next door to the hotel was handy, too. Metro stop on the corner, Batobus stop close by, too, at the Eiffel Tower. Even an ATM machine at the corner bank. Loved the location and the upscale neighborhood. An easy walk through the Champs de Mars to the Eiffel Tower.

The luxembourg Parc would be a good central location, go with that. You seem very interested in staying near some big tourist attraction, but that isn't the way to pick a good hotel nor a good locaiton for a hotel. The immediately proximity of any big major museum or tower is not going to be that nice as a place to stay due to what will be around it. Why would you want to stay near the Louvre? I can't think of any reason unless you were planning to visit it almost every day (some artists or art historians might). It is a central area, though, so might be convenient for those reasons. Some people do stay near it and like it okay, but it's nothing I would especially recommend for most people. There are just a lot of shops and it's a business area on the street right near it and it isn't even that easy to cross IMO (rue de Rivoli). The shops are souvenir shops mainly, nothing wrong with that, but there are lots of tourists walking up and down the sidewalks for that reason, of course, and because a lot of tourists go to the Louvre. And rue de Rivoli has a lot of traffic.

$200 a night is a modest budget with the value of USD vs. euro. If you can get a room for that at the 4* Lux Parc, I'd grab it, I've never seen anything that cheap there. That is only around 140 euro. I thought rooms there started at over 200 euro a night.l

Hre is a nice 3* hotel in the Latin Qtr, but their rates would also be around 200 euro for a double room http://www.paris-hotel-parcsaintseverin.com/en/

This owner owns several nice hotels in the 5th-6th area (H du Pantheon is nicer than H des Grands Hommes, but rates reflect that). http://www.hoteldupantheon.com/
You can get a superior double in the Grands Hommes for your budget, see what they offer

FYI if you do want a hotel "near" the Eiffel Tower, here are some good choices, that wouldn't be so bad an area. But I wouldn't choose a hotel literally right near the Tower as you couldn't see it and it isn't very nice right around it, but there are several nice hotels in the 7th maybe a half mile or so away from it, near the Ecole Militaire metro stop, I think you might like that area.

http://www.duquesneeiffel.com/en

http://www.hotelparismuguet.com/

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

be sure to check the special deals through their booking functions, as a lot of Paris hotels now have special internet rates or rates for 3 or more nights which will be a lot lower than the regular room rate.

If it were me, I'd like these hotels okay and prefer the area to that around the Louvre.

Great info Christina! Actually, we want central location mainly, hence the Hotle Luxembourg. I remember the Metro as being super easy to navigate, so I'd love to stay somewhere that we can really experience local life while having easy access to touristy things. Cafes, shopping... As far as budget, we were starting at around $200, having no idea. (our budget is not endless, though.)

The Relais Bosquet is a nice one if staying near the Eiffel Tower. We had a view of the Eiffel Tower. I agree staying in the 5th or 6th would be nearer sight. We stayed in The Danube in the 6th 2 weeks ago which I enjoyed. It was 212 euros for a superior room.

I've stayed at the Hotel Duquesne many times, a very nice place and an easy 10-minute walk to the Tour Eiffel. I don't know why anyone would want to stay in the immediate area of the TE, as it's in a large park and boarded on one side by the river. The hotels just to the west of it are pretty awful, to the east over near rue Ste-Dominique and the Ecole Militaire much nicer.

I don't know the Hotel Luxembourg, but I wouldn't want to stay right near the Louvre, either - traffic, crowds, commerce, business, noise. The métro and buses are so easy to use that you don't really need to be in the heart of the tourist areas.

Paris Hilton(yes she is named after a hotel) best I have done
1 block away or so.Join HHonors.com for upgrade to best available FREE.I got a tower view suite that was to die for at night for under 100 euros a couple of years ago late May
2009 as I recall.

$120 Paris Hilton Hotwire.com $120 both well located as an HHonors guest got an ugrade to a partial tower view suite at ...www.fodors.com/community/europe/seeking-paris-hotel-recs-based-on-personal-experience.cfmLittle Secret On Getting The Hotel You Want From Hotwire ...
Use BetterBidding.com to help you identify each hotel ... 4* Hilton Paris @ $119 / night. 4* Moevenpick Hotel And ... the amenities listed under each hotel from Hotwire.com.
www.myfavdeals.com/?p=27

I've stayed at the Hilton and it was OK, but agree that area not not particularly nice and not convenient for much else. Every other time I've stuck to the 6th.

For a first time visitor, I'd recommend the 4th,5th,6th. There is nothing wrong with the 7th, as you said the Metro/RER is a great way to get around. Being a bit closer to the centre (aka Notre Dame IMHO) just makes you neighbourgood a bit more interesting to walk around. You lose a bit of the 'local' feel, since you, and a lot of the other tourists. will be in these areas.

Other plus...direct line to CDG if you are near St Michel or Luxembourg.

One hotel I've recommended a few times here is :

www.paris-hotel-lutece.com

Located on an island in the Seine, across bridge from Notre Dame. Small island, nice main street, good restaurants, mostly old mansions, quiet at night, easy access to Left/Right bank.

This one is right on the Seine, across street from Notre Dame and 100' from the RER to CDG. Some rooms have views of sun rising over Notre Dame. We rented roof-top alcove a few years back. Noise was not an issue.

www.hotelnotredameparis.com/pages/location.html

I have stayed at the Luxembourg Parc several times and highly recommend it. Located across the street from the Luxembourg Gardens and near St. Sulpice.

WOW- thank you all so much! Now, about restaurants...

Hi, just got back Nov. 2 from a month in France and while in Paris, I stayed in 3 hotels all close to the TE and investigated a fourth that is the closest of them all to it.

1. Hotel Novotel, 257 Rue Vaugirard, Paris. In the 15th Arr.
This hotel is modern and clean and is just steps from Vaugirard Metro stop on line 12. Also close to Montparnasse train station.
The rooms are modern and medium sized, but larger than the infamous closet-sized Paris hotel rooms.
Toilet and bathroom (both a shower and tub) are in separate rooms. Lots of hot water and water pressure.
Very good buffet b'fast included in some room rates. Enjoyed a nice dinner in the hotel restaurant one evening.
Beautiful rooftop patio with view of the TE. Took me 20 mins to walk to it and lots to see along the way.

2. Best Western Sevres, Montparnasse, 153 Rue de Vaugirard, Paris.
This hotel is a short distance away from the one above and closer (5 mins) to Montparnasse train station which was the reason for my 1 night stay there.
It is a small hotel with a tiny little elevator that barely fits 1 person and 1 suitcase.
The rooms are quite small but tastefully decorated. Toilet and shower in one room. Lots of hot water and pressure.
TE about 15 mins walk covering part of the same route as the above.

3. Hotel Ibis Tour Eiffel, 2 rue Cambronne, Paris. also in the 15th Arr.
This hotel is a few steps away from Cambronne Metro station on line 6 which intersects line 12 at Pasteur. There is a Pierre Herme outlet just where Vaugirard meets Pasteur, and a short walk from all 3 hotels.
The hotel is located in quite a charming and busy intersection with lots of restaurants, a large flower shop and a very good Boulangerie and patisserie (Le Privat),
A large hotel catering to business people and tourists.
Rooms are small but bigger than the Best Western and smaller than at the Novotel.
Bathroom is small with shower only and toilet all in one room. I could not be in there with the door shut, though its possible for a smaller person.
Lots of hot water and good shower pressure.
My room had a charming view over the rooftops of Rue Cambronne and some rooms do have a view of the nearby TE. However for those that don't, just walk to the end of your floor where the elevators are located and look out the window and it's right there. Rates are also good at this hotel.

4. Hotel de la Paix, 19 rue du gros Caillou, Paris in the 7th Arr.
I didn't stay here but looked it up as it was offering rates for 85 euros. The rooms look nice and TA gives it favourable reports except for the common complaint that the rooms are small. I'm imagining it to be similar to hotel #2 above - which can be quite charming.
Best of all seems to be it's very close proximity to the TE. The hotel is near Champs de Mars, which is virtually at the foot of the TE. Closest Metro (750m) is La Tour-Maubourg on line 8.

Good luck.

Another vote for the Duquesne Eiffel Hotel. We had the Tour Eiffel room and it looked directly out onto the Eiffel Tower. I would lie in bed to watch the Eiffel Tower sparkling. Beautiful view and gorgeous little hotel!

We have stayed in the 7th since 1998 and find it very convenient. We like the Hotel Relais Bosquet and the Muguet; have also stayed at the Hotel Londres Eiffel where we had a view of the Eiffel Tower. Some rooms at the Relais Bosquet have an ET view but we have always asked for a room on a high floor looking over the courtyard. The area of the 7th around rue St. Dominique has lots of cafes and bakeries.

Another vote for the Duquesne Eiffel - we must have the same room kwren! Not just the view but extremely friendly and helpful staff.

ozgirl - maybe we did! I have to admit that I moved the bed table to the other side of the bed then slid the bed over so I would have that perfect view! We had plenty of room to be able to do that and still walk around! I think other rooms should also have that view. The one on the website looks a bit smaller than the one we had. The next time my husband and I are there, we're going to stay there.

Sara1211 if you want to stay there, be sure to specify that you want a direct view!

I would heartily recommend the Hotel Eiffel Seine and after our 5 night stay there in early September I wrote this review for tripadvisor.

Location - Location - Location. We found this great boutique hotel was perfectly placed for us to enjoy Paris on our 5 day stay. As everyone says the Eiffel Tower and the Seine are minutes away with access to the Paris Metro and RER just across the street. There are restaurants everywhere with a little supermarket just down the street. You can find breakfast from a number of little bakeries in easy walking distance. I have to admit it was a lot cheaper than taking up the hotel's option of a 16 Euro p/p breakfast.

The room we chose was small but it was user friendly and we didn't spend all that much time there. The bathroom was very modern and functional. The staff were just great, offering helpful advice in faultless English. We enjoyed being greeted by "Bullet" the Hotel cat when we arrived back from a long days sight-seeing.

I have to say the lift is the smallest I've ever seen in my lifetime. 1 person with luggage barely fits and it's cuddle time when 2 people use it. The only drawback is that staff have to use it to take their equipment from floor to floor and at times you can wait a while for it to be your turn.

We thought this hotel represented very good value for the price we paid but should we ever be lucky enough to return to Paris we'd definitely stay here again but we'd book a larger room.

sara1211...where have you decided to stay?...it would be easier to give restaurant recommendations closer to where you have chosen to stay

Actually, we are deciding right now... keep you all posted, then talk about the best part-FOOD!
Thanks again!

We stayed at the Hotel Relais Bosquet last year in September.
When we made the reservation we mentioned that we had the Rick Steves 2010 guide book and we got our breakfast for free. While we were there my husband became quite ill and the hotel called a private doctor for us, twice. We ended up at the emergency room at a nearby hospital.

I could not recommend this hotel more. Our room was great: WiFi & cable TV in our room; blackout window coverings so we could nap in the afternoon while getting over jetlag; nice breakfast; very wonderful staff. They really took care of us!

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

The Marais, Latin Quarter and Saint Germain are the best areas for a first time visitor in my opinion, and there are many excellent hotels in these districts. I have recently discovered Hotel De Neuve in the Marais, it is a trendy, modern place.
http://hoteldeneuveparis.com/
Hotel Sully Saint Germain, in the heart of the Latin Quarter despite its name, has a more classic feeling.
http://www.hotelsullysaintgermain.com/
Between the center of the Saint Germain area and the Seine Hotel Lenox is an excellent place I know.
http://www.hotelparislenoxsaintgermain.com

Hi all!
ok...DH found these (I told him to look and narrow it down to a few hotels, then we'd go from there.) and I am again asking for your (excellent)advice/opinions:

Hotel Pont Royal
Hotel Bourgogne Montana
Manior St. Germaine
Hotel Lotti
Westin (he has points I think)
He asks if they are near Musee D'Orsay? It looks like these might be in walking distance of Louvre,Tuileries.

Also, a good friend recommended Relais Saint Germaine-way pricey or worth it?

hmm, those are some pricey hotels. Pont Royal is near the Musee d'Orsay. Has a good trendy resto on the ground floor (or next door), Atelier de Joel Robuchon, where I've eaten.

Lotti is over near the Louvre, I've read some bad reviews of that place, you need to check those out on Tripadvisor or something.

I've heard some good things about Bourgogne & Montana. What hotel exactly are you referring to as Manoir St Germain, there are several hotels with those words in its name. The Best Western one is supposed to be very nice and certainly in the center of St Germain. Do you mean this one http://www.hotelaumanoir.com/uk/index.php

To be honest, that is right on bd St Germain, next to Brasserie Lipp, I think. I would not want to be there myself, way too hectic and noisy, etc. Even the Madison (check that out) which is just about a block or so away and is also on bd St Germain but is set back from the street a bit and not right next to some outdoor cafe. I'd prefer the Madison. for a nice BW hotel in St Germain, also see the Left Bank St Germain which is not on the main blvd and is also supposed to be very nice. http://www.parishotelleftbank.com/

Those hotels are all over the place, but sure, you can walk to the Louvre and Tuileries from them if you want. YOu can walk from about anywhere within a couple miles as far as I'm concerned, so that's not saying a whole lot. But the Bourgogne and Montana is the farthest west, I think, it's over near the Assemblee Nationale or Invalides, I think. I wouldn't walk to the Louvre from there myself, but you could if you really want to for some reason. The area of that hotel (B & M) is pretty much dull as dishwater and dead as a doornail if you want cliches. Of all the locations you cite, I would never want to stay at that one.

I don't know about the Westin, other people have stayed there, I'm sure and can say. It is off the main streets so would be okay if you want to be over in that area near the Louvre.

The Westin is very nice and is close to the Louvre and Place Vendome. It does not have the personality that som eof the other hotels have but if you can score your entire stay there, it's a good way to go.

Relais St Germain is very nice and I LOVE the area it is located in. Lots of cute cafes in the area (the restaurant attached, Le Comptoir is fantastic and also right there, L'Avant Comptoir has great crepes). The Odeon Metro stop is just around the corner, so very convenient. The best part is that Gerard Mulot is a few blocks away...fabulous pastries!!

I certainly would not be happy staying anywhere near the Eiffel Tower -- dead zone, few restaurants and shops, high prices. And if it thrills you to see the Eiffel Tower often, you can see it from many other areas in Paris.

Have you considered an apartment instead of a hotel? My DH and I spent 6 nights in Paris at a lovely apartment in the 7th last year.

My husband initially thought I was nuts to want an apartment but when he did some of the research he found out how easy and common it was to rent one for a week. We ended up loving our apartment, it was so nice to be able to make a simple dinner of ingredients from Rue Cler markets when we were too tired from all day site seeing to want to go to a restaurant.

We used VIP = VacationinParis, which is based in NJ with prices in Dollars and the ability to charge your deposits and rental fees to your credit card. We stayed in an apt like this one http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_77.htm and loved it.

This was one of our most loved vacations, and the apartment instead of a hotel made all the difference in the world.

Celticharper, I'd be very surprised if they could get an apartment this late.....most of the good ones will be booked already.

I agree about the apartment as we always rent one now. I love being able to get up early and make my coffee without disturbing sleeping husband.

Another plug for the Bourdonnais. Reasonably priced and well located for the metro, great cafe for breakfast (or lunch or dinner) around the corner...actually saw Stephen Colbert and his family there last year over the Thanksgiving holidays. We loved the location because it is quiet at night and it's oh so easy to stroll over to the Eiffel Tower at night. And we also had a view of the tower from our room...last time I stayed at the Bourdonnais was a few years ago, but everyone there was lovely and the place was clean.

If you want to be closer to St Germain, then take a look at the Bourgogne et Montana. We stayed there last year and it was terrific. Also close to the metro and great for a long stroll down St. Germain to great dinner spots. The Bourgogne is a step above the Bourdonnais (we also had a view of the top of the Eiffel from our top floor room).

Good luck and happy travels.

Celticharper- I was on vrbo looking today at apts- had the same idea! One thing I was wondering: Since I haven't been to Paris is sooo long, should we stay somewhere that easy to ask sights/directions advice etc from the staff. For everyone, we are certainly NOT married to the idea of being near the ET. I am so excited about comimg there, I want everything close and nearby! (also thanks paris 1953)
I am sure ya'll are tired of this topic from me. Many thanks and be back soon with food questions.
BTW, can you still get the very best croque monsieurs at any/every corner in Paris? my favorite memories are of the bread, cheese, and street croque monsieurs...(yes I was in college and could have cared less about lbs!!)

It's really a matter of your own preference. I like to be within walking distance to a good boulanderie and a grocery store, or a street market like Rue Cler, but not too close to the loud nightlife. We are light sleepers so someplace right in the thick of the cafe/nightlife area would not be very comfortable for us, for others that's exactly where they want to be.

With a good map and using the great Metro interactive site
http://www.ratp.fr/plan-interactif/ you can get around pretty easily, I know the site is only in French but it's very intuative, simply click on the Metro stop closest to your starting point a small menu bar will appear, click on the green arrow to set your start then go to the Metro stop nearest your destination this time click on the red arrow to mark your destination, your route will be clearly highlighted with all the necessary transfers.

If you look at the addresses of the sites you are interested they usually will give you the nearest Metro stop as part of the address.

We planned each day and checked the Metro map site but after the third day we were both so comfortable with the Metro system that we could easily understand where we needed to transfer. So I don't think it would be necessary to have hotel staff, when we stayed at a hotel near the Champs Elysee six years ago (I forget the name) noone on staff spoke English so there was no helpful advice available.

Enjoy, I love Paris

Here's the English language version of the RATP interactive map:

http://www.ratp.fr/plan-interactif/carteidf.php?lang=uk

Wow I didn't know there was an English version. Thanks!

Hi Guys!
So, Hotel Luxembourg Parc is the hotel for us. Seems the area is awesome and cannot wait to hear about bistros, cafes, ANYTHING you all think is a don't miss! Lookin forward to it!~

hi, for a nice hotel in close the eiffel tower, i suggest you to visit www.myboutiquehotel.com and they have a nice section of boutique & design hotel close the eiffel tower
http://www.myboutiquehotel.com/en/france/paris/left-bank-eiffel-tower/all-hotels.html

Sara1211:

You will be very pleased with your choice. The Luxembourg Parc is terrific.

Enjoy your trip.

Sarah1211 - you actually got a room at the Luxembourg Parc for $200/nt?? The cheapest rate I see for a room the 2nd week in Dec is $337/nt.

EIFFEL SEINE. highly rated on tripadvisor and good value for the money!

hazel1-no. While doing hotel research, DH thought maybe we could go up a bit in price. Anyway, I am thrilled and can hardly wait!!!
Now,the fun part...best steak and frites in Paris? What about romantic restaurants?