Americano

My wife and I will be in Paris for 2 nights in early October - sort of a second honeymoon type of stay after several days of business travel in Southern France. I have never been to Paris and she was last there w/ a backpack while in college. We'd like to treat ourselves to a little luxury but are not that interested in stuffy formal, although if I cannot come up any alternative ideas I will probably book a romm at the George V or the Ritz, etc. realizing that I will be paying too much but hoping that the experience, in the long run, will be memorable enough to justify it. A friend told me about Costes - trendy funky - but i read a review online that described it as being a "vampire chic" kind of place. Any recommendations for fun, friendly luxury in Paris would really be appreciated.

richardsonsnm

my wife and i have stayed at both the Geo V, the athenee and the lancaster. geo V has got the best rooms, the athenee has got the coolest bar scene and a very parisien experience if you get an ave. montiagne view, the lancaster is small and intimate but not on the best street, but still just off the champs elysee. the geo v and the athenee are about the same money, the lancaster 200-300 euro cheaper per night, with the geo v and the athenee being about 720 euro for a deluxe dbl. were going back in nov and staying at the geo v. we like to go to either chez andre, or across the street to Entrecote, or sebillion a block or so away, they are all located between the geo v and the athenee, just ask the concierge for directions. these are local casual restaurants with great food and few americans. have fun.

richardsonsnm

also remember, it's what you make of it, don't let any hotel intimidate you, they are there to take care of you, and at those prices, believe me, they will and do. we are from arizona and we dress casually, blue jeans and the like, and we never feel out of place. i daily walk from my room to the fitness room in my robe, no big deal. you should make a stop at the anthenee bar just to see the many charactors that hang in the bar and in the lobby outside the bar, but be prepared for a hefty tab, drinks can run 15-25 euro, but well worth the show.

shellio

Hotel Costes is a rock star kind of place, very trendy and "done" in reds, velvets, etc.

A couple of hotels on the Left Bank that might appeal to you are the Montalembert or the Pont Royal, right next door. The Pont Royal is also the home of L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, which is a very hot place to eat at the moment.

On the Right Bank, take a look at the Park Hyatt or the Hotel Vendome.

TopMan

With the very greatest of respect I hope you are in touch with what YOU feel comes with a "splurge." It is easy, particularly in Paris, to spend a LOT of money on a hotel room. I frankly disagree that any cocktail served from any bar is "worth" 15-25 Euros and I don't care WHO I get to stare at while drinking it.

If you want to stay in this section of Paris then I am sure it might be money well spent for you. But, frankly, I think you could easily spend the same or less and stay in more charming places in MORE INTERESTING and MEMORABLE parts of Paris, and pay less for that same drink, too!

Weadles

Are you only interested in the Right Bank?

If not, I'd recommend:

Relais Christine- Jr. Suite. The hotel is a converted monastery located in the heart of the 6th. You can easily walk (practically around the corner!) to the Latin Quarter, Notre Dame, and the Louvre. It won't be as ritzy as the George V, but not nearly as stuffy or expensive, either!

Also: Hotel D'Aubusson has some very nice rooms.

Mark_va

Our stay in the George V was so great in July 2003 (our followup stay for three days in a mid-level hotel in the 7th was a downer) that when we returned to Paris for 4 days this past August, we stayed there again. You can wear anything at anytime and George V is never stuffy. They have a great spa, too which is a great way to relax after the day of sightseeing and walking everywhere. Get the bed and breakfast deal and get it through room service at least once. What a spread you get! Their recommendations on dining spots are excellent as well.
I'm ready to return already...
Mark

letour

I'd go along with the recommendation of the Relais Christine--very comfortable, although it can be a bit serpentine getting to your room with a heavy bag, given it's somewhat unusual design. Another idea is to try the Relais Christine's sister hotel, the Hotel St. James, which feels like an old English men's club replete with overstuffed leather chairs and a lovely, quiet bar room. I believe it's closer to the Arc de Triomphe, near lots of expensive stores, and so is in a very different location than Relais Christine.

Patrick

I agree with TopMan 100%. If I were about to spend $500 or more a night for a hotel in Paris, it wouldn't be one that was all luxury -- simply because I don't any longer appreciate that (yes, there was a time when I did). I'd frankly splurge on a great suite at Relais Christine as suggested above -- and feel like I'm in Paris, not just some other big city. Or if someone was giving me a choice of where to stay in Paris, I'd still probably go back to Relais St. Germaine, where I LOVED the big rooms and the totally relaxed atmosphere. But then I don't do things like champagne in my room, or ordering room service, and I'm not impressed with someone to open the door for me, someone else to stand by the elevator to press the button, or any of that stuff, so if that's the style you like, don't listen to my suggestions.

We have different opinions of what's "stuffy" and I've only done drinks at George V -- but even having drinks there fit my definition of "stuffy".

Weadles

I totally agree with Patrick. We had drinks at the George V, too, and found it too formal for our tastes. But then again we prefer the Left Bank to the Right. That's why the Relais Christine suited us fine-- suberb location and lovely, understated hotel.

oakglen

We stayed at the Costes twice and enjoyed it. The local clientel is young, very thin and dressed in black-0n-black. Very trendy. We are not...but still had a good time in this well located hotel. Note: the rooms are carved out of a very old structure, nothing is standard. JP

Walter_Walltotti

Have you considered the Meurice hotel. Smallish hotel with loads of charm. Not far from the champs elysee. Room rates including breakfast are about 600 Euros a night for a deluxe room.

http://www.meuricehotel.com

SuzieC

Why doesn't anyone ever mention the Crillon?

Americano

Thanks for all the responses. Since my first post I've educated myself a bit and am starting to understand some of the left/right differences. I am not sure what we'll do (except not stay at the Lancaster or Christine, they are full.) If we stay on the right bank, we're looking at Bristol, Crillon, and George V (Athenee only has suites available.) If we stay on the left, it will probably be Pont Royal or Montalembert. My sense is that I'd prefer St. Germain and my wife would lean towards the Champs-elysees, so we'll probably be on the right. I heard about a boutique hotel near the Champs called the Daniel, but I haven't been able to get any info on it. Thanks again for your thoughts.

mclaurie

It's been a while since I was there but the Hotel Raphael was wonderful. It's a classic elegant place with an old fashioned wrought iron elevator and lots of antiques. It's on the right bank in a quiet area near the Arc de Triomphe. It used to be very popular with the movie industry and may still be. It was often used for filming because it is so quintessentially Parisian. John Malkovich was staying there while I was. .

Here's the website
http://www.raphael-hotel.com/

Christina

I can't make recommendations in that bracket, but apparently the Daniel Hotel is a newly opened 4* hotel which is a renovation of the former 2-3* Hotel de Berri near FDR metro stop. There isn't much out there about it and the Paris tourist office doesn't have any info other than phone no. If you know nothing, this web site has the best info I found, although no real photo (that photo is the same lobby as before):

http://catalogue.horse21.net/171/par...s/daniel+hotel

Tulips

The restaurant at Costes is very nice; do go, even if you don't stay there. It's a favorite lunch stop for me while shopping! Or have drinks. The rooms are good, but very dark. It was hard to find enough light to read in the room.

Morganne

Dear Americano!!!!

So, if you want to stay in one of the best hotel, one of the most modern...of Paris...look at the Hotel Cambon...a 4 star hotel....you will not regret it..I can ensure you! You even can visit the website of the hotel to have a first impression of what you can expect...www.hcambon.com!!!Enjoy your nights in one of the most beautiful hotel of Paris!!!

Patrick

Morganne, please don't take this the wrong way. I thought your above recommendation might be an ad and clicked on your name. I found literally dozens and dozens of posts from you regarding hotels in Paris -- all different ones -- all raves -- and all listing the websites. Now I'm really impressed with your knowledge but also curious. Have you stayed at ALL these hotels? How do you know them? I realize that you have recommended hotels in all price ranges and all locations in Paris, so I'm just curious what it is you do that you seem to be such a Paris hotel expert! Your posts are also very interesting because so many of your recommendations are not the usual ones.

Americano

Thanks again for all the insight. My wife decided Left Bank for walking, restaurants, etc. So, we saved a few euros by booking a junior suite the hotel Lutetia rather than a deluxe room at the Bristol or the George V. Hope we made the right choice.