could you post the links, elaine, so that we can have a look at them?

Don't know either one personally, but the Clément gets good reviews here fairly often.

Why a 3-star minimum? Are you aware that the star rating system in France is completely different from the one in the USA?

I stayed at the Clément in May and highly recommended it. I had a large room on the 1st floor, double and single bed as a friend was joining me.

Hotel was very clean, excellent location and bedrooms and public rooms attractively decorated apart from one really ugly plastic flower arrangement on the elevator landing (elevator is two steps up from lobby level). What is the deal with those? At least this one wasn't covered in dust.

The breakfast room is in the back so dark, but on lobby level. Lobby itself has windows across the front, very light with comfortable furniture. I don't usually bother with the hotel breakfast but this one is excellent quality and massive, we had it a few mornings when we knew we weren't going to have time for lunch.

The staff was very helpful on site and also responds quicly to email queries. Not sure of the distinctions between three and two-star but having stayed in many boutique hotels in the 5th and 6th, this one is very good value for the price.

www.hotelclementparis.com

Hotel star rating system in France: http://gofrance.about.com/od/lodging/a/hotelratings.htm

I am familiar with the French star ratings. I have tried two-star hotels in the distant past, and they are not what I want. Thanks for the detail on the Clement. These are the hotels I mentioned above http://www.hoteldelavigne.com (I posted a pretty favorable review here at Fodors the first time I stayed there) http://www.hotelleregent.com http://www.hotelclementparis.com http://www.hoteldesgrandshommes.com http://www.hotelsorbonne.com

when are you going?

we got a very good rate here [€125/night] booking in september 2011 for a stay in March 2012:

http://www.hoteleurope.net/

it's very conveniently placed near the St. michel RER station, and is 3 stars. also very quiet.

they are showing an internet rate of €130/night in March.

i know it's not any of the hotels you mentioned, but I looked at them and I really couldn't see much difference between any of them.

this one does have the advantage of being a bit cheaper.

Some of the hotels that would meet your requirements, including the price range you mentioned, are: Bonaparte (two stars), du Danube (three stars), Villa des Princes (two stars), Lindbergh (three stars), and Crystal (three stars), in the 6th arrondissement and Grandes Écoles, in the 5th. They all claim to have lifts althought in most cases these can be tiny, as you may well know.

You may want to check Tripadvisor (or other feedback sites') reviews that are current. Those hotels with two-star ratings in this short list have almost similar service and intrinsic quality standards as those with a three-star one. In Paris this rating may be quite misleading. I know a very centrally located Parisian hotel which claims historic value, and which is a real dump - despite its four-star ratings. The opposite is not infrequently true, as well.

The St.-Severin is a good suggestion, I've walked past that hotel many times, the location is as you say, incredibly convenient. Good reviews at TA. I just emailed them. So now I will decide among the Hotel Design de la Sorbonne, the Clement, and the St.- Severin. If anyone has more comments, appreciated. Thanks.

the st. Severin lift is pretty large by Paris [or any other] standards.

our room [we splurged on one with a balcony] was also large - loads of room to move around the bed plus a little sitting area with a table and 2 chairs.

the bathroom OTOH was tiny!

you can't have it all, I suppose.

We stayed at the Clement for 6 nights in Aug 2011 and were very happy with our choice. Loved the location and the staff was excellent--friendly and helpful. We had a triple room on 5th floor and though typically small it was very French and spotlessly clean. We felt it was very comfortable, a great value and would stay there again without hesitation.

I tried the Bonaparte in the past. Never again. It's one of a couple of examples of how I know I do not want to experiment again with 2-star hotels.
I did look into the Crystal, looks lovely and convenient, but too pricey for this trip.
thanks.

We have stayed at the Clement twice with our children. So we have seen 4 different rooms (2 triples and 2 twins). I liked the triples better than the twins--a little more nicely decorated, and ours faced the street so there was nice light. However, the twin rooms had more space. Both twins faced the "courtyard" which made them rather dark. I have read some reviews online that the street facing rooms were noisy, but we had no problem. The twin room on our second visit was huge. All the rooms were very clean.

There is an elevator, which is tiny. It was incredibly hot on both of our June visits, so it was nice to have A/C. However, one of the twins didn't cool as well as the other rooms.

The location is fantastic--between the Mabillon and Odeon metros and close to lots of restaurants, not far from the Seine. One of our triples had a view of St. Sulpice.

We really like this hotel and think it is a great bargain for this area. We have recommended it to others who have also liked it. I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again.

Thank you, all.

Still doing comparisons of amenities and prices.
Re recommendation above, it was for the hotel
Europe Saint-Severin, and not the Parc Saint-Severin, correct?
Thanks.

Yes, elaine, definitely the europe St. Severin, not the Park, as per this link:

http://www.hoteleurope.net/

Another vote for Clement. We did not take the hotel breakfast when we were there, but it is across the street from the Marche, and kitty korner from Fabien Le Doux, a very nice boulangerie and a 5 minute walk to a Paul, so lots of breakfast options. As stated, the location is superb, 3 metro strations are within 5 min walk, as well as a Monoprix. One block off the Blvd. St. Germain.

We stayed in a triple, very nice. The elevator IS tiny, but very French.

Follow up: I loved the hotel Europe St. Severin. It was my first time staying in the 5th. I still prefer the 6th in general, but I enjoyed the experience and would stay there again. Hotel is a one-minute walk from the Saint Michel metro/RER stop. Hotel breakfast at 12 euros was pricey as they usually are, but it was of high quality--fresh rolls and breads, cold meats, cheeses,cereals, fruit, tea, coffee and juices, cooked eggs on request. My room was a double for single use. It had a tiny balcony--usable, in season. My bed was queen-sized (well, more than a double). The room was small, but not as small as others I've stayed in. Decor was modern, well-designed, comfortable. Flat screen tv, lots of channels. Bathroom and shower modern and everything worked well. I paid on some nights 179 euros and most nights 139 euros, according to some schedule that was posted (not improvised). I wished for more light in the bathroom, but I usually do. Thank you annhig for recommending the hotel, and to others for their suggestions.

Elaine,

So pleased for you. Another hotel to add to my very short list!

Elaine - i'm so pleased you enjoyed the Europe St. Severin. for the price, i think that the location and facilities are difficult to beat.

We have stayed ay the du Danube many times but I don;t think it falls in your price range.We now stay at the Minerve or an apt.Small elevator but I don't stay in there for long!!!

Correction: the two rates I paid were 139 euro or 159 euro, not 179.