I think the Muguet has always had TVs, at least for many years now. I did have a room on some central area (I suppose they call it a courtyard) and didn't find it remotely enchanting. It was unattractive. I don't like noise from others, but since it was summer, I had the window closed anyway so as not to hear noise from that area.

If you had a room that was not in the attachment, there isn't any reason you would notice that it is two buildings put together, you'd have no idea. I know for a fact there were steps going to the part I was in, I am not mistaken on this. I am not disabled nor do I have arthritis, and I found it rather inconvenient when I was taking luggage to the room as they were quite steep. If it isn't two buildings put together, there is some reason why part of one floor is a totally different level than another part of the same floor.

I've stayed at the Muguet three times and the last time I was in Paris (last July) I stayed at the Hotel Bonaparte in order to try a different hotel (I've also stayed in other hotels, but out of the price range that you are interested in or they don't have air conditioning). I prefer the Muguet - I feel that the rooms are nicer (my room at the Bonparte smelled a little musty - perhaps it was the air conditioning? AND - I like the bathrooms at the Muguet much better - they have showers, which my room at the Bonaparte did not. I had one of the larger rooms at the Bonaparte, so don't know the size of a standard room - I paid extra for the larger room and it was a nice size). The Bonaparte does include breakfast, but it wasn't that great - I would much prefer to get fresher croissants at a bakery.

Even though I loved the area around the Bonaparte, I like the 7th even better - probably because of being close to the Hotel Invalides, the Rodin museum (one of my favorites), etc.

There are TVs in the Muguet and I never noticed two buildings connected together either. The proximity to transportation is equal at either hotel, in my opinion.

Have a wonderful time planning your trip. I'll be in Paris in about a month and a half and can't wait!

Thanks to all for the great comments. I think Hotel Muguet, in the main building, is the best choice.

Another question (and perhaps I should do a seperate post) is: we will be taking the train from Lyon to Paris. What is the best way to get from the train to the hotel? What is the best web-site for the train, so I can get an idea of length of trip and price.

Again, thank you all !

There are about 3 metro stations within walking distance of Muguet. Which one you prefer to take?

A quick hint: Do not leave home without Streetwise Paris.

Bus 87 will get you from Gare de Lyon to Place de l'Ecole Militaire. From there, Hotel Muguet is a short walk from Ave Duquesne up rue Chevert. The metro would require transfers which I would not recommend, especially with bags.

Of course, a taxi would be easier.

I first stayed at the Muguet in 1996 and have been recommending this hotel on this forum ever since. Back then, the Muguet's clientele was mostly business travelers. The inner courtyard had a turtle (Fromboise) and was a very inviting place. There was the most adorable poodle who "owned" the lobby. I loved the location! I can believe that was 12 years ago!! I havetried many other hotels in paris, always one for variety, but the Muguet was the one that had that "homey" feel.

Hi T,

>Since we will be with another couple, I wonder if taking a taxi would be eaiser, and not much more expensive than taking the metro places.

Most Paris taxis are comfortable for 3, crowded with 4.

A carnet of 10 Metro tickets is about 11.5E = 1.15E per trip.

If your cab ride is only 4.6E. you could walk.

>we will be taking the train from Lyon to Paris

See www.voyages-sncf.com

For public transportation from the train station to your hotel see www.ratp.fr.

For maps of Paris, see www.viamichelin.com

Enjoy your visit.

Thanks again. And thanks Ira for the other links. I feel like I should put my credit card in the computer to pay for all of this great information. The great tips from fodorites have taken us through all parts of Italy and now to France. Grazie et merci !

You should also expand your search to include the 16th, esp. near Passy/Trocadero. You can find hotels that meet every single one of your criteria:

1. Hotel shall have elevators (yes).
2. Hotel shall have A/C (several do).
3. Price/night <135 Euros (a bit harder, but they are out there, esp. if you are willing to book far enough in advance).
4. Close to Eiffel Tower (the Place du Trocadero offers some of the best ET views in Paris)
5. Close to Cafes/restaurants (the Trocadero/Victor Hugo area is brimming with restaurants and cafes)
6. Room w/view of Eiffel Tower (plenty of hotels in the 16th offer Eiffel Tower views)
7. Plus, good transit links...you have the Trocadero/Passy/Victor Hugo metro stops and several bus lines to choose from.

The 7th may be the most *obvious* choice but based on your criteria, it may not necessarily be the *best* choice.

I've thought I might want to stay in the 16th next time. But I always assumed the hotels were <i>more</i> expensive over there.

Could you name some of those hotels? (We usually stay between 140 - 175 euros, double.

We stayed at the Muguet last summer and loved it. We had two rooms on the 6th floor. One room looked out to Invalides and the other the ET. Full views of both. We did pay more for those, but it was nice to have those guaranteed. I am trying to remember what we paid...I think the ET room was around 170 euro and the Invalides room was a bit less. The ET room had a king bed as well as a daybed. The room was quite spacious by European standards, and the bathroom was nicely laid out. The lift only goes to the 5th floor, so there was a small staircase for us up to our rooms. The location was great as well.

Well, we used to stay at the Sofitel LeParc; it's a Marriott now. But when I last stayed at the Sofitel last year, just before the changeover, I paid about 160 &euro; for my room. I think the rates have gone up, but OTOH, people with Starwood points can get excellent deals there.

I usually travel off-season and among the hotels in the 16th where I've found rooms at in your budget or less include: Kleber Hotel, Elysees Union Hotel (old fashioned, but very nice), Best Western Au Trocadero (I had an ET view double in December '07 for 90&euro; per night; some people complain about the staff but they were all very nice to me), Hotel Gavarni (normally it's over your budget, but they do have specials), BW Victor Hugo, and the Hotel Tour Eiffel Auteuil (no ET views that I know of, but it's a very quiet hotel with spacious comfortable rooms in the pleasant Auteuil neighborhood, near the Place Mirabeau).
The Citadines Trocadero also runs specials in your budget--probably not the kind of hotel you have in mind, but we would consider it if we were driving into Paris (there's a garage next door) and had the cocker with us. We usually stayed at the Sofitel noted above, which is just up the street, and the Sofitel offered valet parking at the same rate as the local park it yourself garage. I don't know what they charge for parking now that it's a Marriott.

The Sofitel Dokhan's also runs specials that would be in your budget (but at the upper end) if you travel off-season.