I've left an otherwise well planned vacation with one hitch. I have yet to book a hotel in Paris and I'm leaving next month! Any names or websites of nice, but inexpensive ($60-100) hotels would be greatly appreciated! I want to be within walking distance of most tourist sites (eiffel tower, louvre, ect)so perferably in the 1st, 4th, 5th or 6th. Thanks! Feel free to E-mail.

Amanda, certainly you must find a hotel, but I think you ought to reconsider your strategy. If you were to choose a hotel that was perfectly located, say right smack between the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, then, still, the walking time to either will be very considerable and very tiring unless you're a pentathalon champion. To really see the sights, you know you have to save your energy and time for that and not spend it going to and from. <BR>The key is the Paris Metro which is easy, fast, cheap, and very safe. It enables you to choose a hotel in a charming location, yet get to any sight quickly and while seated. The trains arrive every several minutes, there is very little waiting, etc. <BR>I personally would go to www.france-hotel-guide.com and choose from the excellent hotels listed there. To locate a hotel in a charming section of town may I suggest the hotels at that site that are in the Latin Quarter? There is an icon to click on that says Latin Quarter (or Quartier Latin) if you scroll down a bit. <BR>If using the Metro bothers you in any way, please email me and we can discuss it.

The 7th arrondissement, as well as the 6th, would be a good location, but no place is in walking distance to the key sites, and, really , the Metro or perhaps the bus system is a must. Both quite affordable and easy to use. <BR>

We are going to Paris in May.Already the hotels are getting booked up. I really wanted to stay at Esmerelda, but they are booked until June. Esmerelda reccomended the hotel Familia. It will cost us $133 Canadian, 510ff with brekkie. It is in the 5th arrondisement. An ideal location in my opinion. It will be our 3rd trip to Paris. You can read about the Familia on this site's hotel Guide.

A couple of recommendations: <BR>The lovely and charming Hotel des Grandes Ecoles, on Cardinal Lemoine in the Latin Quarter. It's a collection of old townhouses set around a pretty garden courtyard..like a taste of French country but in the middle of the fun 5th. Doubles 500FF. Phone 011 33 1 43 26 79 23. <BR>We stayed most recently in the Hotel du Cygne right near Les Halles, in the 1st (we were only in town 1 night and needed easy access to the RER train to the airport). The public areas are decorated quite nicely, and it has more amenities than the Grandes Ecoles - ie tv, large bathroom, safe in the room. The location is good for access to the metro, etc., but not as picturesque as the other. <BR>Doubles 420FF, phone 011 33 1 42 60 14 16. <BR>Happy travels! <BR>

Amanda: <BR> <BR>Allow me to make a suggestion on a hotel in Paris. It is called the Hotel Prince Albert. 5. Rue St. Hyacinthe. 75001 Paris. Ph# 42 61 58 36. Fax 42 60 04 06. It is located 3 blocks from the Tuileries Merto stop which is at the entrance to the grounds of the Louvre. It is very central. Please be aware that it is a small hotel on a side street, it is not a fancy place. It is an old, charming place with lots of character. Nothing like the Raddison or other western tourist hotels. They charge less than $100 per night. My companion and I stayed there last April for several nights. The staff are very friendly and multi-lingual. A reservation is necessary as they fill almost every night. Hope this helps.

Thank-you to9 everyone who gave me hotel names! I'm going to give them all a call, and the first with a vacancy is it! Thanks again! Any other suggestions are still welcome.

Amanda, I stayed at the Hotel des Grandes Ecoles last summer. It's a wonderful place and is in a great location. If you stay there, be sure to spend some time in the cafes on the Place des Contrescarpe and visit the street market on the rue Mouffetarde. Best, Joe

for a little less expensive, try the hotel de la faculte, near st. germain (left bank). a friend of mine has stayed there with her mother several times. apparently is fine, and certainly reasonable. i booked at 430FF for a double, and they have rooms for 380FF. probably not as quite as nice as what people here say about the hotel des grandes ecoles, but it's less expensive and in a nice area too.

Yes, book now!! I've also been trying to book something in the $70-100 range for a week in April and many hotels in that range, especially those in the 5th, are already booked (including Esmerelda, Famila and Grandes Ecoles) But don't let me discourage you. It may be difficult since we're coming at the tail end of Easter week. You should have better luck, but DO BOOK SOON! <BR> <BR>I reserved a double w/shower for 430FF at Hotel de la Sorbonne, 6 rue Victor Cousin via one of the reservation services. It's supposed to be "charming." Sounds fine. If it isn't, I'll move after a couple nights and find my charm elsewhere. Afterall, it is Paris! <BR> <BR>Good luck. Bon voyage. Thanks for sharing other accommodation info that comes your way. <BR>