Thanks everyone for all of your helpfull suggestions! I have lots of information to go on now!

While the Grand Hotel Leveque is good, note that it is on the highly touristed and Americanized "Rue Cler" that Rick Steves touts so much. The prices along the street and in the immediate area are a bit higher as a consequence. IMO, I would not want to stay in a place that typically all Americans are trying to stay in!

Hotel Royal Phare has gotten some good comments lately, and is closer to the metro than Leveque.

Single 65 E / dbls up to 85 E
http://www.hotel-royalphare-paris.co.../TheHotel.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...de_France.html

(note - haven't stayed there myself but would consider it)

Merci, elle. That's what I thought. Prior to reading about that hotel, I hadn't known that the French consider the "seventh art" to be cinema. They weren't able to show me any rooms at the time, but I got a sense of the place from the lobby. And I recall the staff as being very friendly, as you mentioned.

Also just discovered that it's one of eurocheapo's listings...

http://www.eurocheapo.com/paris/list...tion/7eart.asp


Merci aussi, grandmere. I hear what you're saying but one person's &quot;reasonably priced&quot; <i>could</i> be another person's &quot;budget.&quot; I stayed there in 1999, and can't recall what we paid for a double -- a large double with beamed ceilings and private bath on the main floor across from the front desk -- but I think, with the exchange rate at the time, it was around $75-80.

How did you find out about it? I found it in Sandra Gustafson's book.

francophile03 regarding the Hotel DE France on my first visit I stayed in Room #603. Next visit I requested it again and was told 403-503-603 were all the same. My request for one of those rooms has always been granted .
The rooms are on the corner of the building closest to Invaldes offering wonderful views. I frequent the hotel only once or twice a year so I don't believe I get preferential treatment. I am sure if you ask they will reserve it for You.

Correction to my post above. The Hotel la Sorbonne in the Latin Quarter charges 60 euros for a double. I just checked it on http://www.France.com and that was the price. I then checked our credit card receipt and that's what we were charged. That's is a major bargain considering the location. And I'll repeat, it's clean, friendly and the desk is staffed 24 hours a day.

Capo, you're right, of course; it's just that it's a bit more than the others on the thread. I found it in Gustafson's book, also, and first stayed there in 1996. Have been back 2X myself, and have &quot;sent&quot; many others there, inc. family, friends, colleagues. Everyone loves it; I still think it is great for the $$. I have stayed in des Marronniers on rue Jacob prior to finding du Lys, and except for the courtyard and elevator (and the elevator could be a big &quot;except for&quot;, for some--perhaps even moi, in years to come!), I think du Lys has just as much charm, and rooms are larger. And Marronniers costs a lot more.
On the other hand, if I wanted to pay $200 and upward, I'm sure I could find charm, etc., at lots of Paris hotels. In the meantime, du Lys will be my favorite!