Quick question- Is it better to stay in an Airbnb in Paris for 6 nights or a hotel? This is for first time travelers.

I'd choose a hotel for a 1st visit, no question, because of the constant resource of the staff when you need information.

Plus you would have to make sure the AirBnB is legal....

^^^ Ditto both of the above. For a first visit I'd choose a centrally located hotel

Ditto again. There is some overhead to renting apts/gites/AirB&Bs.

Stu Dudley

Another vote for hotel on a first visit.

Hotel

Hotel for a first time visitor. Too many things can go wrong with a private rental. Do you speak fluent French (that would help if you really want to go that route).

My further suggestion, not that you asked is to find something in the most central - 4th, 5th, 6th arrondissement (maybe 1 or 7) - neighborhoods.

Hi, lparro.

Hotel for this 3rd time visitor, though it's been several years since my last, and I'm very definitely an awed tourist there.

My mother and I are going to Paris in November, and chose a hotel in the Astotel chain. One of the benefits for us, (at least I hope this will be true; yet to be seen how often we take advantage of that), is that from 2pm onward, hotel guests can drop in to any Astotel hotel lobby for a drink, snacks, and a bathroom break. As the weather may not be great, and my mom will need occasional rest/restroom breaks as we wander, that seemed like a nice perk. Definitely check the tripadvisor hotel reviews on the hotel to find one, no matter where you stay.

Also, not speaking any French and ignorant of quite a bit of French culture, I hope to ask the English-speaking hotel workers to help guide us, too.
Have fun, planning!

First time hotel and agree 4 5 or 6.

I'd also recommend staying in a French hotel rather than an International hotel. If you choose a small one remember to greet the staff and the other breakfast guests and also say hi in the lift. No need to kiss cheeks but the usual silence of the international hotel is not correct in France. Don't worry they will know you are not French the moment they see you or hear you but the culture of greeting is big even in Paris. See also small shops, bread shops, restaurants etc.

I also agree with posters above. Definitely a hotel for a first visit and as close to The Seine as possible. 4th, 5th, or 6th
fit the bill. That way you can walk to many sites or easily get a cab from the hotel.

Do your homework and have an idea of what you want to see. Our first 5 days in Paris turned into yearly visits for the last 18 yrs. When asked why we return so many times the answer is always the same, “It’s the way we feel when we are there.” The parks, the museums, the cafe & restaurants, and mostly just the beauty of the city everywhere you go.

Excellent advice all around. ...and there are so many unique places to stay in Paris.

Many thanks for all your advice and recommendations! I was leaning toward a hotel but my traveling companion ( my daughter) wanted an arbnb. She thought we needed more than a hotel room to relax. Too much to see and do to spend time relaxing, unless we are on a park bench or at an outdoor cafe!