jessi

I'm looking for a 4 star hotel in Paris and would like your recommendations. We can't afford deluxe but want much better than tourist class. The other problem is that I'm not sure of the different areas in Paris, but I'm getting a guidebook this weekend. We would like something that is within walking distance of several attractions and restaurants and cafes as well. We prefer not to be in a residential "neighborhood" type area. If it helps any, we stayed in the Bloomsbury/West End section of London and loved it. We would like something similar in Paris but prefer first class accomodations. Please help.

elaine

Just last month I stayed at the d'Aubusson, 33 rue Dauphine in the 6th, and can't say enough good things about it. <BR>Tel 1 43 29 43 43, fax 1 43 29 12 62 <BR>Just a few blocks from the left bank end of Pont Neuf. Beautifully decorated, as if it had been redone last week. 5-8 minute walk to either St Michel or Odeon metro stop. 15-20 minute walk to Notre Dame. Provides hair dryers, terry robes, and amenities like shampoo. They also offer for sale the carte musee (museum pass) with no additional mark-up on the prices. Rooms facing rue Dauphine do get some street noise from traffic or horns, but not terrible. "Superior twin room" was 1550 FF. <BR>Hotel neighborhood charming, many shops and boutiques with fine goods. <BR>Also, nearby rue Buci has many places to buy provisions for a picnic,(which we did in our room on our first night because we were too tired to change clothes to go out) stores selling fruits, cheeses, breads, wine, even roasted chickens. <BR>You'll need your own paper plates, utensils, napkins, and cork screw. <BR>I have a file on Paris with other ideas and hotels; if you'd like to see it, email me.

elaine

I meant to add that before booking the d'Aubusson I had considered the <BR>Caron de Beaumarchais in the 4th arrondissement (district) which by coincidence is also mentioned very favorably <BR>in today's posting "Paris Hotel Information Needed." <BR>I went with the d'Aubusson over Beaumarchais for two reasons: <BR>I had a pretty strong impression that the "superior" rooms at the d'Aubusson were larger than the rooms at the Beaumarchais, and on this trip space <BR>was a major consideration. The second is I prefer the area of the d'Aubusson for over-all convenience, both in terms of walking as well as offering more personally-satisfactory metro options. Neither of those comments is an indictment of the Beaumarchais, which is a highly-praised hotel, just my impressions and preferences.

Jerald

Just got back Sunday, had a great 10 day stay @ Hotel Chateau Frontenac. 4 stars & great hotel, staff (English spoken by most) & location.Two blocks off Champs de Elysees & George V metro stop. Easy walk to Arch, Tower, Lady Di memorial. High class neighbors, Cartiers, Mason du Chocolat & lots of the designer clothiers & lots of restaurants of good caliber that won't break the bank. They just raised their prices from 1150 to 1450FF. We got a better price through Air France Vacations w/breakfast. They have 2 other hotels in the area & a web site. I highly recommend them as our last 3 times to Paris were 3star dumps. This is quality Louis XV style. Enjoy yourselves. If you need more info e-mail me direct.

Christina

Jessica, I think you may be denoting the wrong stars for what you want--four <BR>star hotels are the highest class in Paris, although there is a range of <BR>prices, of course, but many of them would be considered deluxe (there is one <BR>higher category with an "L" after is for luxury, I don't think there are <BR>more than a couple of those, like the Crillon). "Tourist class" means a two-star hotel. I know some countries inflate stars or some rating guides do (maybe in US where we have no official ratings), so I suspect you may really want or could consider a nice 3-star hotel, not a 4-star. Elaine's suggestions are good choices; I think the Caron de Beaumarchais is only a 3-star hotel and nice for that level. Perhaps you could state your budget to clarify this, as the Hotel Montalembert is a four-star hotel in the 7th in a great area (near rue de Bac) and a great stylish hotel, but may be more expensive than you want. In fact, there are only a few four star hotels on the Left Bank, I don't think there are any in the Latin Qtr (5h arr) except one, the Relais St-Jacques, which you could consider. In the 6th arr, I think these are all supposed to be very nice and good value for their level and price: Relais Christine, Relais Hotel Le Vieux Paris, Hotel St-Gregoire (and the Aubusson); there is also the Cayre, but I don't know much about it. The Pavillon de la Reine is very nice in the Marais area on the right bank, you might like that. In the 7th arr (west towards Eiffel Tower), I'd suggest Hotel le Tourville as a very good choice (most other 4-star hotels on Left Bank are larger, more businessy-modern, like Hilton and Meridien). There are MANY more four star hotels on the right bank <BR>(1st and 8th arr and 16th), which is where the most expensive hotels are in Paris. There are dozens, but I think a couple nice ones that don't cost huge amounts are the Balzac, Raphael and Napoleon. You will gen. get more for your money on the Left Bank in this category. There are a lot of very nice 3-star hotels on the Left Bank, rather than 4-stars (quality can vary, but I have never stayed in a 3-star in Paris that was a dump, some are nothing special, though). I'm not exactly sure what you mean about not wanting a neighborhood (personal taste, obviously, but I would describe Bloomsbury as that way and don't care for it), but anyplace there are four-star hotels in central Paris is not going to be a working-class neighborhoody-type area, so don't worry <BR>about that. You will be okay in the 1st, 4th-8th arrondisements for what <BR>you want, parts of 16th also. I think this web site gives a good selection and searching capability for four-star hotels: www.webscapades.com (very good and user-friendly), many other sites do not list hardly any four-star hotels or will not let you search that way (ie, www.hotelboulevard)--and many sites surprisingly do not even tell you the star rating. Also www.hoteldaubusson.com for that one, you can see Relais St-Jacques on webscapades. You can find a fairly comprehensive list of them for starters (and search details and photos elsewhere) on www.paris.org/Hotels (click on the four-star band near top and you will get a list of all of them, you'll see there aren't really that many, and most are in the 8th or 1st. <BR>

jessi

Thanks for all the great information everyone. You guys are right about needing more specifics so here they are: <BR> <BR>First I didn't realize that 4 star was the highest as I have only been to London. There, they are on a five str system with places like the Ritz or 4 Seasons being 5 star and something along the lines of a Radisson (where we stayed) 4 stars. What I'm looking fo is modern rooms, large (by european standards) modern bathroom with amenities such as hairdryers, irons, coffeemakers, terry robes etc. I realize you can't take certain things for granted so I guess I would say an elevator an a/c too. Hopefully the hotel has a restaurant as well. I don't mind places lik Hilton, Mariott etc as long as they are well located though I'm sure a French hotel would have more ambience. I prefer to be in a commercial area with lots of stores and restaurants rather than a more residential, quieter neighborhood. We are willing to spend $300/night though less would be great! thanks for your help thus far and please give me more!!!

Edye

The d'Aubusson would be a great choice for you. Keep in mind it is small (50 rooms) and offers very personalized service. Everyone at the front desk is part of the concierge team. They all speak English well and are happy to do so. The hotel as correctly described by Elaine is simply lovely with large bathrooms and everything you are looking for except a coffeemaker in the bathroom ( a very American thing). The key about this hotel is the neighborhood - it's so great!!! The little area between the hotel and the Odeon metro stop is unbeleivably charming and French in a way that speaks of history and legends. It is by far more interesting than Right bank, unless you truly love BIG hotels. I made myself nuts selecting a gotel for our visit in October and all I can assure you is that you won't be unhappy in a 4 star hotel and the 2 biggest things you need to decide are Right vs Left bank, and big vs small property. Enjoy!

Terri

I like the d'Aubusson as well. One thing to keep in mind about the rating system: 4 stars doesn't necessarily mean a better hotel than one with 3 stars. For example, it may have more services (i.e. full restaurant, 24-hour concierge, garage) and may be larger, but that might not be what you're looking for (it may also not be the neighborhood you want to be in). We once stayed at the Concorde St. Lazare next to the Opera, and while it was perfectly nice, it felt just like a big hotel in any city, and was in a less charming neighborhood than our favorite 3 star hotel. The Right Bank has more 4 star hotels, but we prefer the neighborhood the d'Aubusson is in. By the way, I think the 4-starred Relais Christine (right nearby) is overrated and overpriced. The Bel Ami had a few problems when my sister stayed there in October. By the way, it's often better to stay at a up-and-coming 3-star hotel than an aging 4-star.

Bill

Hotel Le Bistrol, wonderful, plush, Louis XIV furnishings (many of them authentic), expensive, great location, one of the best hotels in the world. Better than the Ritz by far.