jeandiament

Hello I am trying to pick which area will be best suited for our group to visit next June. Most of our family has booked places in Champs Elysees and I think the rest of the group(which I am responsible for booking the accommodations) would prefer to be close to the rest of the family. I travel often and try to stay in areas that are very nice, have a lot of shopping, are central and convenient but also are very charming. I was picturing cheese and bread shops, high end shopping, balconies etc. Imagine my horror when I read on Fodor's reviews comparing champs elysees to times square in nyc- especially frightening having had lived in new york. Is it really that bad and if so are their nearby neighborhoods you can recommend that are close to champs elysees but also a bit more charming and quaint? Suggestions welcomed.

Thanks.

menachem

It's all grand architecture, broad, but boring boulevards, large residential blocks, boring big brands and car dealerships. Not the quaintness you are looking for.

It's all solidly residential around there, people with money, whereas the Paris you're looking for is more bohemian. You can have both of course, because everything in central Paris is well within reach. If you want to be around quaintness, and you're entire party doesn't mind setting a place to meet up, or if you don't mind traveling to the group that foolishly decided that Champs Elysees would be wonderful, it's always possible to select another neighbourhood and take the metro or the bus to them.

DebbieDoesDulles

Look at Hotel L'Horset Opera on a quiet street ( rue Antin), halfway between the Opera and The Louvre. Metro is 2 blocks away. Some of the rooms have a balcony, and they have connecting rooms for family, for instance a room with a queen that connects to a room with two twins.

Whathello

Champs elysees is not liked by a lot of people here. However a trip to Paris without going there is not complete.
I like the avenue but I don't like shopping, unless you want to buy a Vuitton bag or a car or staying in line to go to Abercrombie.
That said we often stay at MCMahon or Splendid, both overlooking Arc de Triomphe 4 stars hotels.
When alone I prefer smaller hotels, I recommend going 100 m from Champs, like in rue de la boétie. I spent a good night in hotel champs elysees rue Artois, 2 - it should be relatively close to the rest of the group ? Tell us where they are booked..

fuzzbucket

If you don't mind an easy little jaunt across the river, near the Eiffel Tower there are several options in more interesting neighborhoods. I haven't stayed in these hotels, but know the neighborhood. Check reviews with photos to see if it's what you had in mind, then do a Google StreetView of the neighborhood.
http://www.lemarquisparis.com/en/rooms#main
http://www.alizeparis.com/

ticino

I think Champs Elysées and its surrounding areas are nice enough not to separate people travelling together. Champs Elysées is much better than Times Square which in my opinion is a total dump. In fact I think Champs Elysées is way better than any avenue in New York.

It's also easier to find larger rooms in the 8th than in other arrondissements, and iIf you like high-end shopping you'll have the avenue Montaigne just around the corner. To eat I'd recommend L'Atelier and Le Stresa but there are plenty of good restaurants in the side streets.

Kathie

We stayed on the Champs Elysees. It wasn't my first choice for neighborhood, but the 10 night stay was free (points) which is hard to beat. We didn't love the Champs Elysees, but the location was good, half a block to the FDR metro station. We also found charming little cafes and bakeries just a block off the Champs Elysees.

Besides, we didn't spend a lot of time near our hotel. The metro is so fast and easy to use, you can be anywhere in central Paris within minutes. So make sure wherever you stay that you have easy access to a metro station.

denisea

I would not want to stay on the Champs Elysee. Crowded and loaded up with stores you can most anywhere. I do love the view of the Champs Elysee from Place de la Concorde.

Paris is loaded with high end shopping...Avenue Montaigne and Rue St Honore/Faubourg St Honore are two of the best.

If you end up staying there to be close to the others, consider doing a food tour. Paris by Mouth offers wonderful ones so you can visit bread and cheese shops and more. We took the tour they offer in St Germain (my favorite area to stay in). The St Germain area has lots of boutiques, cafes and chocolate shops. The areas around St Sulpice and St Germain des Pres churches are areas that I enjoy. There are many small hotels in that area. Isle St Louis also has lots of charming chops and restaurants but mo Metro stops, so I would not want to stay there.

We did stay at Le Grand Hotel Intercontinental a few years back. It is very close to Opera Garnier and Galleries Lafayette and Printemps. It is lovely and the bar there makes a great meeting spot.

No matter what you do, you'll be in Paris. Enjoy the trip.