We are traveling to Paris for a week in May with our kids who are 20, 18, and 5 years old. We would like to stay someplace that the older kids can walk around at night that is as inexpensive, but as safe and clean, as possible. Does anyone have suggestions?
We have enough points for one room free at Le Méridien Montparnasse but I think we need a 2nd room and the reviews are not good. Usually we all stay in the same room but I'm having a hard time finding a room we can all fit in.
Thanks for your help

there have been a few posts on here in the past about rooms for five in Paris, don't know if you can find them...

however, I have suggested the Hotel Marignan on rue Sommerard in these cases (the Latin Quarter, not too far from Notre Dame). Not that I have stayed there or know it as really great, but I stayed next door and know it is an acceptable hotel and in a great location for what you want. And it is one of the cheapest such places in Paris that will have rooms for five. It is perfect for the walking around issue for teens.

It will not be as nice as the Meridien Montparnasse, that's for sure, so if that isn't quite as nice as you want, it clearly would not be the way to go. I think it will be very difficult to find a nice hotel with a room for five people, actually. Some will have connecting rooms that might work out. YOu are really four grown adults and one smaller child, this is not going to be easy to find a room to fit that many people, when four are grown adults.

here's one I found on another thread

http://www.hotelvaladon.com/tariffs.htm

The Family Cottage room in that.

This place has some hotel apartments (2 rooms, I think), but I don't think they allow five, only four. You could check. It is also a good location in the Latin Qtr.
http://www.residencehenri4.com

Other than that, check out the Citadines aparthotels,.

Would you consider an apartment. More space than 2 hotel rooms and cheaper too?
Try vacationinparis.com

I find it hard to believe that Le Méridien Montparnasse's reviews are not good. Perhaps those reviews are from business travelers who usually stay at 4* properties?

The fact that you can get one room for free at Le Méridien Montparnasse and only need to pay for one additional room, I doubt you can find a lower rate elsewhere for TWO ROOMS that is at least as good as Le Méridien Montparnasse.

The only exception is perhaps renting an apartment, but I would think you need to find a 2-BEDROOM apartment, which isn't that cheap. At least, I don't think a 2-BR apartment rent for 1 week, will be cheaper than the hotel bill for one room at Le Méridien Montparnasse.

I know we are pushing it. We are still trying to travel together but it gets expensive when we have 2 more adults. Our main concern is location and money so that hotel looks great. I e-mailed them for availabilty. Thank you

I just read the other suggestions. Thanks for all your help. This gives me alot to work with.
Do you think the location of Le Méridien Montparnasse is central enough. There were some complaints about that as well. Thanks again

I am a Montparnasse convert. I used to be snobby and only wanted to stay in the 6th eme. But on our last trip we stayed in Montparnasse, at Waldorf Hotel right across the street from the Meridien. I actually like the area a lot. Definitely very safe, with lots of restaurant choices (cheaper than those in 6th eme), and excellent transportation (multiple metro lines, many many many bus lines - which I'm a new convert, easy access to RER and main line train station.)

See this recent thread on what Fodorites think of staying in the 14th eme:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35154527

Central enough? It's only about a mile and a bit from the Seine and a couple metro stops from St Germain des Pres stop, for example. That isn't very far. Look, people who complain about that want to be literally within spitting distance of the Seine. If that's what you want, you will not think it that central, either. Have you looked at a map of Paris to see where it is and what is in Paris and how big it is? Maybe that will help you decide. Really, if you are looking for something nicer than the MEridien Montparnasse, you are going to spend a lot of money to house five people.

Thank you for all the info. We are hoping for the apartments that were suggested. I would have had no idea of all the possibilities without all of your help.
It is hard to read about such an expansive city and decide without advise from those who have such experience and knowledge. I have been in a maze of reading without understanding and I greatly appreciate the experienced advice.

Would your points cover one room at the Meridien Etoile? I think that's a nicer area than the area around Montparnasse, and it's a short walk to the "far" end of the Champs Elysees.

There are a number of nice Best Westerns in Paris. (There are a number of not so nice ones, too.) Have a look at Best Western Au Trocadero, which is basically on the border of the 8th and 16th on the right bank, near the river and in an area with good views of the Eiffel Tower. Rooms are small - you'd need two for the five of you. There are also several Best Westerns in the area near the Meridien Etoile - northern edge of 16th, and into the 17th. These areas aren't super-central, but are still "entre les murs" (within the city walls, aka boundaries) and as long as they're within a few blocks of a subway, you can get around easily. The neighbourhoods are nice, safe and upscale.

Have you fixed the dates for your trip yet? There are 3 holidays in May in France in 09: May 1, May 8 and May 21 (the latter might not be celebrated by everyone). These are holidays in certain nearby countries, too. Those holidays mean that a lot of people will be taking long weekends, and that can affect hotel prices. If you're encountering high hotel prices, you might want to check alternate dates.

The Hotel du Lys is is in a great location (and safe), 2 min. walk from both Blvd. St. Michel and Blvd. St. Germain, is clean, and has double and triple rooms. The building dates from the 17th century and is both charming and quirky.

www.hoteldulys,com

Whoops, put in a comma instead of a period. Make that:

www.hoteldulys.com

Rent an apartment.

We have a Paris Apartment Thread, a Hotels-Paris-Left Bank Thread, and a Hotels-Paris-Right Bank thread. Scroll the first 50 threads. It's there. Happy Travels!

www.accorhotels.com