I've been told the Metro system in Paris is very good, which makes for traveling around the city efficient.

As new visitors to Paris, our family would like a safe, central area for our hotel. The Marais, Rue Cler and Saint Germain are our preferences. From what I've researched, each area has its pros and cons.

We will be in Paris 3 1/2 days in June, 2011, which will give us long days with the sun setting late. There will be six of us including our grandsons age 10 and 13. Both of these boys have traveled to Europe previously and are good travelers.

All of us prefer a lovely, lively area with atmosphere, but at the same time - peace and quiet when we are sleeping.

Any suggestions on narrowing down our choice of hotel location?

You can't go wrong choosing St. Germain de Pres. I rented a flat on Rue Severin last summer - great great location, but too busy to go back to this street again. This was recommended by a friend and is worth looking at to be in this area....
http://www.hoteljardinodeonparis.com

Your next trip you'll want to try a different neighborhood. I'm staying at Hotel Caron in the Marais next week and will let you know...

Thanks for your input allib123. I checked out the hotel Jardin de L'Odeon and the prices are higher than I expected - athough I realize this is a very expensive city to visit.

I'm curious to hear about Hotel Caron in the Marais...hope you have a wonderful trip.

Booking.com had lower prices last year, but I also chose less expensive accomodations. I will spend a bit more this time to improve the down-time experience. I haven't had my children in Paris yet, but took them to Italy last year. It's great that you'll experience it with those grandsons!

How many rooms will you want, and what is your budget?

Hi StCirq, Per night, we would like either a quad room and one double or three doubles. I'm also looking for a hotel that will serve a continental breakfast.

As for room rates, I wouldn't want to spend more than 130 euro per (double) room per night, if I can help it.

I just had a thought: When traveling without my extended family, we tend to stay at more expensive hotels. However, finances dictate that I budget on trips with family member and we are paying.

The hotels we have been more than satisfied with when traveling with our family are as follows (they all included continental breakfast).

Venice: Casa Rezzonico (Dorsoduro)
Florence: Hotel Casci
Rome: Hotel della Torre Argentina
Capri: La Minerva
Madrid: Las Meninas
Barcelona: Inglaterra

I eliminated hotels that didn't quite meet our needs and/or expectations traveling as a family.

I promise I have no vested interest in the hotel I suggested, but under the booking.com site, they do offer the variable rate, Family room - Classic (4 people)
(2 single beds, 1 double bed) - 4 people maximum for 250 euro next June
and double room 149 euro.
The cancellation policy is great. There are lots of options out though. Best of luck....

You could check out the quad room at the Hotel Grandes-Ecoles: www.hotel-grandes-ecoles.com. This is a very popular hotel in the 5th, very quiet at night (especially if you get a room at the back of the courtyard), but close to the Rue Mouffetard market, with all its restaurants, and adjacent to all the activity in the St. Germain. You can have breakfast outside in the courtyard in good weather.

With 6 people I would look for either a 3 bedroom apartment or one 2 bedroom with a 1 bedroom (or studio) close by. You'll save lots of money on breakfasts, drinks, and snacks, particularly with 2 young boys.

Mirmar, That hotel looks gorgeous...I'll research it further.

Adrienne, sharing an apartment is out. I understand the value of "eating in," but that's not an option either.

I do appreciate your comments though.

We just booked an apartment in Paris and, based on our experience, think it will be difficult to rent an apartment for less than 5 nights. With only 3 1/2 days, you'll probably need to focus on a hotel.

The Hôtel de France in the 7th on the Boul. de la Tour Maubourg has at least one quad room and is within your budget. I don't think it has AC yet, though, if that's a concern. You might also check out the Hôtel Dequesne-Eiffel, also in the 7th, It has quads, a room that sleeps 5, and of course doubles, but might be a bit over your budget.

Sorry, that's Duquesne...

Regarding Hotel des Grandes Ecoles - they have 3 buildings and the building facing the one with reception has the largest rooms. The building that houses the reception area has small rooms. You might want to consider this when asking about a quad room (ask how large the room is).

Other than that, the hotel is great. There's a square a few steps away (place de la Contrascarpe) and many restaurants on and off the side streets of rue Mouffetard which is a market street.

It's too bad you can't eat in as this hotel has a lovely garden with tables where you can eat take out food for lunch or dinner and there are plenty of interesting shops in the area with prepared food. Breakfast is served either in the garden or in the breakfast room.

The hotel is completely secure with coded entry at night. I stayed there a few years ago and really enjoyed it.

Thanks everyone for your replies. However, the listing of hotels right now is not on my radar.

I really need to focus on the neighborhood or arrondissment (sp?). Once I pin that down, I will zero in on hotels.

Don't mean to offend any of the people who have replied regarding suitable hotels, but it's kind of like putting the cart before the horse.

I would choose St-Germain-des-Pres first for its cafes and restaurants, Luxembourg Gardens, and evening entertainment (movies, church concerts). You can easily get almost everywhere by Metro from here. I've found the exception to be getting to the Marais (it's easier to walk there than to take the metro). If you want good street markets you have rue Daguerre (3 metro stops) or rue Mouffetard (easily walkable). The Louvre is just across the river and Orsay and Rodin museums are not far away; the Seine boat cruise is close. There are some streets which may be noisy with late night activity but most places are quiet at night. This area really fits your critieria - lots to do and yet quiet.

I stayed in the 7th once and didn't care for it as much as the 5th or 6th as it was too quiet in the evening. This would be the rue Cler area from your list.

Marais would be a second choice. It's a good area but I still like the 6th better for the reasons stated.

adrienne, your last reply was terrific...just clear, concise information I need to make a (hopefully) good decision.

As an aside, Paris is in the middle of our trip: First to Brugge, Belgium, then lastly to our beloved Italy.

I would chose an apartment in St.Germain or nearby, in the 14th - Montparnasse, which tends to be cheaper. I love that area!

One out of three isn't bad!! LOL

You're doing the trip I did in 2001 except in a different order. It's a great combination. Have a wonderful time!