We stayed right off St. Germain at a little hotel called the ST. Thomas D'Aquin. It is on a quiet street yet it is just steps away from the action on the St. Germain such as Cafe de Flore and Cafe Deux Magots. I haven't checked the current exchange rate but we paid $150 US dollars. You will love Paris!!

We have just come back from a one week stay @ Jardin de L'Odeon. It was even nicer than I expected from tripadvisor reviews and we had a wonderful rate (just checked and it is available for the end of January under winter special rates) as tuscanlifeedit has said. It was well located but quiet. Expect a small immaculately clean room with good storage and comfortable beds. I booked directly online. The front desk staff speak very good English. The breakfast is a little pricey but very good value and delicious.

kamark... I'm really happy to read your review. I'm looking forward to the Jardin de l'Odeon, but we won't be there until May. How I wish it were sooner!

I see you've already received a lot of advice, and I have no idea how you'll make your decision. I live in the 9th arrondissement, not far from the Opera, and there are hundreds of hotels around. The Hotel Chopin is located inside the Passage Jouffroy (one of many covered passages in Paris), but I've never been inside the hotel itself. Looks great, quiet at night (a key factor!), but again, take a look on the web.

Another place you might want to check is http://www.parisdailyphoto.com where the community is made up of Parisians and frequent Paris visitors as another place to get some ideas.

Good luck and bon voyage!

Hi al,

We always stay at the Hotel Bonaparte, 61 Rue Bonaparte in the 6th. From 124E dbl w/bkfst. It is located near 3 metro stops. Has AC

Tel 33 1 43 26 97 37
FAX 33 1 46 33 57 67
www.hotelbonaparte.fr

For more info, enter "Hotel Bonaparte" in the "search this forum" box.

Photos are at http://tinyurl.com/ludgd

They speak English.

((I))

Ira's favorite hotel is in an excellent location, quite near the St-Germain métro station and within easy walking distance of the Orsay and Louvre. The sixth is a lively and interesting place to stay, much more so than the Champs-Elysée or the Opera.

Att:IRA...went to web site of Boneparte and see that despite A/C and private bathroom they prominently display their 2* while looking like a 3*. Wonder why. Since size is not a factor in star ratings I ask you...... Your continued endorsement interests me and do you have any idea of their largest rooms...say a twin-bedded about 18 sq.m (certainly not less than 15/16).

IRA.....in my search I discovered I asked you the same thing over a year ago.Guess I'll give them a call.
I did the Fodor search and it only came up with two posts . I know there are dozens.

Hi Bigal,

>Att:IRA...went to web site of Boneparte and see that despite A/C and private bathroom they prominently display their 2* while looking like a 3*. Wonder why.<

Star ratings have to do with "amenities" not quality. For example, a hotel that serves you breakfast in your room (as the Bonaparte does) has a lower * rating than one that has a breakfast room - no matter how squalid.

((I))

bookmarking

bigal-
Not an expert but I think that some places that could jump to *** ratings chose not to add the needed amenities and stay ** on purpose due to increased taxes for them....

I think Ira hit the nail on the head..2* rating because no breakfast room.Funny, with all the postings of this hotel I never noticed that breakfast had to be taken in the room. Also, there is a confiscatory deposit in case of cancellation. Both of which I am not amenable to.

If you are not confortable speaking french (or strictly english speaker), the limit 5th/6th can be a good area as it is extremely touristy and some days you'll hear much more english there than french (i have even noted lately that some shops around Saint Michel/ Saint Julien le Pauvre didn't have displays notices in french any more)

My two favorites:

ST. Germain-lots of restaurants, very upscale, beautiful area, "cafe society" but...crowded and expensive.

Marais-very quaint, "looks like Paris", not as expensive as St Germain, good retaurants, but....not as central as St Germain

It depends what you call "amenities". To me, I think of soaps, hair dryers, trivial things like that when I hear the word amenities, although I guess maybe elevator, also. But the star ratings in Paris have a lot to do with more than that, as they also can related to sizes orf rooms, etc.

As for the 2* rating of Bonaparte, I don't think it is true that a hotel can remain 2* solely because of not having a breakfast room, or that a breakfast room is required of a 3* hotel. I have the official standards in front of me from the French ratings agency (les normes de classement dans l'hotellerie de tourisme) , and it says the opposite, actually -- that a breakfast room (or a restaurant area that serves breakfast) is only required of a 3* hotel if the hotel CAN'T serve breakfast in the rooms. So, if you can serve it in the rooms, you aren't required to have a breakfast room in a 3* hotel.

Where did you get your info, Ira, that a squalid breakfast room will get you a 3* rating versus a hotel that only serves it in the room? It seems to conflict with what I have seen on the standards list I have.

alyap35 - I'd recommend the Hôtel Parc Saint-Séverin in the Latin Quarter. It's a familiy favorite, and where I stayed for my honeymoon. In fact my in-laws are there right now. Request room 50 if available.

http://www.esprit-de-france.com/hote...nt-severin.htm

We just returned from Paris and stayed at the Jardin de l"odeon. Loved it. My only complaint was no coffee in the rooms and no complimentary coffee or breakfast. It seemed like such a let down from Norway where they have a very large and plentiful buffet every morning free for their guests. Anyway, we loved the Jardin de l'Odeon because it was charming, nicely furnieshed and right around the corner from the Luxembourg garden. I should mention they did have a very nice breakfast which cost about $10 and we thought it well worth it.

We booked through Venere and had no problems. Would be happy to return.

bogger, tea and coffee making facilities are not standard in Parisian hotel rooms so a hotel shouldn't be discounted because of that.

As for comp. b'fast that is not standard either. It depends on the hotel. Sometimes such as when it's low season months the hotels will offer free breakfast in order to get more bookings.

Well I would like to respond to Ira and his recommendation to Hotel Bonaparte. First, I was there in May and it was a wonderful location especially if you take the train into Paris and walk to the hotel. A little hike but very very doable. Secondly, the hotel has all the amenities you would want in Paris if you spend a lot of the time sightseeing and come back exhausted. The staff is extremely helpful and very friendly and will help you with all your questions. The location is excellent. Close to the Louve and D'Orsay which is very walkable. Next, real close to the Latin Quarter right up the block. The restaurant they recommend around the block is delicious and very Parisian. I absolutely enjoyed my stay and want to go back. I was very happy with Hotel Bonaparte.

Stayed twice at the Grand Ecoles in the Latin Qtr. Very Romantic, Great Location, & Very nice people. Got the hint from Rick Steve's.
If you're interested

www.hotel-grandes-ecoles.com