I would look for hotels that are close to a Metro station and focus on the outer arrondissements to find places in your price range. The Paris Metro is excellent and if you stay close to a station, you can get into central Paris for the main attractions easily and inexpensively. Buy carnets of tickets to use on the Mtero or buses. Consider the 11th, 14, 15th possibly.

There is no one best place to stay, but there are some certainly bad places to stay.

It depends on your budget and desires. I personally like the 6th arrondisement.

Try this to get a sense of pricing. Slice and dice the number of hotels down to something reasonable based on price, then location. Read the reviews and check the location of the map provided. Always check the hotel's website to make sure you get the best price.

http://www.venere.com/france/paris/

$150 is only about 110 euros - a very modest price for a room for 4 people (that is what you're looking for?). In that case you need to look for a family room at hotels and I would stick with the central areas - even if the hotel is more modest - since some of the outer areas are really not very pleasant. (Some are of course - but you won;t know which are which). I would stick with the 4th through the 7th and try to stay as close to the river - or a Metro station - as possible.

Besides venere.com you should check our eurocheapo.com. And do understand the hotels may not have AC and may have stairs versus and elevator.

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/paris-hotels-left-bank-thread.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/paris-hotels-right-bank-thread.cfm

Happy Travels!

I rented an apartment right in heart of Montmartre by the Abbesses metro stop (this is the 18th). It was absolutely perfect. The area has a lot of character and windy streets. You're still in he city of course, but it much more of a residential neighborhood feel than the more central arrondissements. Since its not the center, prices should be more suitable for your budget..I think it took about 20-30 minutes on the metro to central Paris (it goes by fast and nice to relax your legs after walking around all day).

It isn't really difficult, it is like most big cities -- it is most convenient for a tourist to be around the center. And then you might want to choose places that are slightly more residential than the main core big business area, or the most expensive area (in terms of high-end shops). YOu might want to avoid being right near a major tourist attraction, and youj will want to be near good transportation.

Your budget is very small, that is the big issue. I don't know what you are expecting for a major Europea capital like Paris, but $100-150 wouldn't get you a decent hotel in a major US city, either, like San Francisco or NY. At least the exchange rate is a bit better now, but that is only around 75-110 euros. YOu want a room for how many people for that? Because you aren't going to find many hotels in that range with a room for 4 (seriously even doubles are higher than than, in general, in St Germain, for example) so you can't be that picky with that budget. If you are serious about 100 euro quds rooms, you can forget staying in certain places because you won't be able to.

11th. Or the 15th, very quiet and boring but not at all bad and very respectable, and close to the Eiffel tower. However, others have pointed it out, and I agree: 110 euros won't get you a room for 4 persons.

I would suggest looking in the 5th (Latin Quarter). Check the link suggested for the left bank hotels and you should find enough to get started. Not all hotels will be able to accomodate 4 people in one room. One that I see suggested here frequently is Hotel Familia. I haven't stayted there but the location is good and they do have rooms for 4 people. The rate is above your budget of $150 per night, but I think you will have trouble finding a quadruple room for that amount. Have fun, Paris is such a grand place to visit!

Once again, thank you all for your help. I now realize that I need to spend more for a room for 4. I have been searching on homeaway.com and vrbo.com and am getting closer to find just what I want.

Well, we have rented an apartment in the 9th 2x and really enjoyed the neighborhood. It is a short metro ride or bus ride to the main sights. Having stayed 2x in the Marais and once in Rue Cler area, we actually preferred the 9th and certainly found rentals to be more economical. Next visit we will be in the 17th. If your hotel or rental is located well for transportation, you won't spend more than 15-20 minutes to get to the main sights. Good luck.

Dinah- also check out www.homelidays.com. I've used them several times with great results.

As an example, i know it's too small for your needs (sleeps 3) but my daughter stayed in a large studio (35sqm) for 70 euro a night, a few weeks ago. It was in the 10th near a metro. Paris doesn't have to be expensive - just takes a bit of looking. Bon chance!

Chack with http://www.perfectlyparis.com/ They have some apartments, mostly in Montmartre, with three day minimums.

Booked an apartment in the 4th arrondissment for only 110 euros a night. Thank you all for your help. I'm going to Paris! Wow