I'd love to stay in George V, but I seriously don't want to pay that kind of money. So what is the best Paris hotel I can get for €500 a night? I'd like to stay in either the 7th, the Champs Elysees, the area between the Champs Elysees and the river or the 6th. Thanks!

Still too rich for me but the next step down in price from the George V, Crillon and Ritz include the Plaza Athenee and Le Meurice. Rack rates at both are above your target but you might find specials depending on the season you intend to travel.

Check out http://www.plaza-athenee-paris.com/on Montaigne in the 8th arr. or getting farther from your target area http://www.lemeurice.com/on Rivoli in the 1st arr.

oops.
http://www.plaza-athenee-paris.com/paris-hotel

Season can make a big difference - not in rack rates but in available discount. When will you be there?

Take a look at the Lancaster.

In the 6th you could consider L'Hôtel.

I've gotten Crillon for around $725 but that is rare but love George V.
Deals are to be had right now for 4* hotels but its all about the timing.

Hotel de Vendome is a gorgeous 4* near the Louvre/Rue St. Honore...$425 now for end of May..Expedia.
Lancaster is lovely.
Le Meurice is such a great hotel too..good rec's for hotels from above posters!

Hotel Pont-Royal in the 6th near the Orsay with a Joel Robuchon restaurant in the hotel and is probably the best bang for $$..$275-400 a night..world renowned chef, 4* hotel and the location and rooms are great for under $300 US.

www.hotel-pont-royal.com

Another vote for L'Hotel.

Another vote for the Pont Royal....have stayed there twice.

The Hotel Lancaster! Tres romantique.
www.hotel-lancaster.fr
Off the Champs-Elysees near the George V metro.
We were in Suite 66 for our 25th wedding anniversary.

For 500E/night I would rent this apt

http://www.parisperfect.com/apartmen.../champagne.php

and have money left over for a dinner each night at one of Christian Constant's restaurants in the same block as the apt. Cafe directly across the street and also immediatly below the apt. Boulangerie, wine shop, grocery, tea/coffee shop, Asian carry-out, flower shop, Foie Gras store in the same block.

Stu Dudley

Two friends swear by the Lancaster.

But in the 6th, take a look at Relais Christine. Hidden in a quiet courtyard in a great neighborhood. A junior suite us 500 euros, but you can get a cheaper room. http://www.relais-christine.com/

WOW Stu..great apartment in the 7th and a King bed too!
I know where this is and in one of my favorite areas with the Marche & Cheese shop on Bosquet ave. and the Rue Cler and walking distance to Le Florimond!

We were there earlier this month for 11 nights - plus 3 weeks last fall. Spent most of the time just staring out the windows - 7 of them - floor to ceiling, each with a fabulous view of the Eiffel tower. At street level we kept an eye on the Champs de Mars cafe - watching the comings & goings. During the morning & early evenings, people walked their dogs in the neighborhood - heading into the Champs de Mars. On this last trip, all our dinners were either at the apt or excellent restaurants no more that 4 blocks away (4 Christian Constant restaurants) - most within 0 or 2 blocks. Excellent bus transportation. La Notre was 3 blocks away.

Stu Dudley

Thanks for the replies. We will be there in March (March 1-21, just a weekend from London), sorry I should have included that in the original post!

Oops that should have been March 19-21, not 1-21!

Thanks for all the replies. With the holidays over I've finally had a chance for a good look. I think the Lancaster is probably the best option of these suggestions. The only thing I really don't like is the location. I'd really rather be a little bit south of the Champs Elysees, the area between it and the River (okay George V would be my heaven, but let's be real, but somewhere in that area) or the 7th and maybe the 6th. Athenee would be my top choice but rooms there are well over €500 for March 19-21. That apartment looks amazing, but not practical for a two-night stay.