After a week of non-stop researching, I've finally narrowed down my list to the following:

1. Hotel Le Relais Saint Honore. Very high rating in tripadvisor. A suite can accomodate 4 all 22sqm of it!

2. Hotel Brighton. Very close to the Tuileries which should be perfect for my little ones.

3. Citadines Aparthotel Louvre.

I would like the one with the cleanest (meaning not worn carpets, mouldy bathrooms etc...) room, closest to the metro, in a safe area and within walking distance to shops/groceries.

Speaking of the metro, I remember that a lot of walking and going up and down the stairs are required to navigate the metro stations. Should I forego it this time around since I'll be travelling with a 6 and 2yr old? What's my best option: batobus? I've never attempted to use the bus system. Is this a good option?

The bus system is good. Once you know where you're staying, you can pull maps by your hotel that show the bus stops, then you can pull bus route maps that show all the stops.
www.ratp.fr

HI Z,

>batobus? I've never attempted to use the bus system. Is this a good option? <

The batobus are boats that run on the river Seine. Not recommended for getting around town.

Good for sightseeing, though.

I wouldn't use the Batobus with little kids for anything but a boat trip. YOu have steps just to get down to it, the Seine isn't at street level. The bus could be good, but some metro stops aren't too bad and people do take little kids on the metro.

I think those are three good choices, I guess you relaxed your criteria of wanting a full-service business hotel with 24 hr room service, etc., which is probably a good idea. If you still want that, just thought I'd warn you those hotels or the Citadines won't have it, as far as I know. None of those has 24 hr room service, and of course, the Citadines won't have any, and I don't think the Relais St Honore does either as it's only a 3* hotel (maybe breakfast, a lot of hotels will do that). It doesn't even have a restaurant. The Brighton is newly renovated and is now a 4* hotel (used to be 3*) and has a nice breakfast room (which I don't think the Relais does, not sure), but it doesn't have a restaurant or 24/7 room service, either, as far as I know. 4* hotels in France are not required to have full-service restaurants, but most should have some room service capabilities, although not 24/7.

In reality, I think the Citadines might be the most convenient due to the kitchenette stuff, but in actuality, I think the other two hotels will provide a more memorable experience due to their charm and style (of which the Citadines has zero, nada, zilch). You might go with the Brighton just because it was recently renovated, so things would def. be new, there is that point.

All of these hotels are within a couple blocks of each other, so that really doesn't matter too much. The Brighton and Relais are closer to the Tuileries metro stop and the Citadines closer to the Louvre stop. Personally, I would rate the Relais as the best location being on rue St Honore and near place Vendome, then the Brighton which is right on rue de Rivoli (which is why I rank it second, that's a busy, noisy street), and then the one near the Louvre metro stop.

All areas are safe as they are virtually the same, and all are about the same distance to a metro stop (the Brighton is closer than the Relais, though). They will all be within distance of shops (I don't know about groceries around there, there are some but that's not a major residential area). Of course the rue St Honore is shown for its shops (designer), but that might not be what you mean. Place Vendome, also. The Citadines is near plenty of shops also. There are moderate shops of various kinds down in the lower level of the Louvre, but I don't think any food shops down there -- actually with kids, the Louvre food court might be a good idea for you.

I only found two main grocery stores around there, but that's something. There is a Franprix at 20 place Marche St Honore and a Monoprix at 21 av Opera which is right next to Pyramides metro stop. The Relais SH is pretty close to that Franprix. The Citadines and the Relais are about the same distance to that Monoprix -- Citadines maybe a bit closer, not much. Both are closer than the Brighton.

I guess I'd choose the Relais St Honore myself given all those things, but you may rate some things differently.

Brighton - even though on noisy street, when we stayed there, we overlooked the Tuileries (and could see Louvre and Eiffel fabulously too) - and were not at all bothered by noise. We were there a few yrs ago before room was renovated but were able to see renovated room - VERY nicely done!! All rooms have been complete now (with increased rates). Staff is quite helpful. Breakfast was a bit steeply priced so we just walked a few doors down to cafe for breakfast. I don't recall seeing "grocery" type store.

Oh ya - Brighton is right across the street from Tuileries metro stop which is a nice - not so busy one.

Thank you for all the replies. Christina, yes I've basically given up on my original idea of looking for a business-type hotel with a 24-hour room service. I guess, we're just so used to tagging along with my husband on his business trips. I don't think it's doable in Paris esp. not in October. Even those with crummy reviews are asking for staggering amounts.

I stayed in the 6th before and felt safe even late at nights. Would the 1st be as safe - even at nights? I've read conflicting posts - about traffic noise to the 1st being a dead place at night once the tourist spots are closed. Not that I'm planning to stay up late with the kids but there may be a day/days that we will go home late and I just wanted to be sure.

Bus or metro?

Staying near a metro stop only addresses 1 end of the journey. At the other end you are still likely to come up several long blocks from your destination. This is especially true as you get farther out from the center...and in the Marais where metro stations are few and far between.

Thus it's well worth it to master the bus network as well. Unlike the metro, the bus often lands you practically at the doorstep of where you're going. Once you get over your initial hesitancy, the bus is as easy to use as the metro. When we first started, we would go over our route with hotel staff. Sometimes they would point out routes we hadn't noticed or that were more picturesque. But it only took a couple of days before we were completely comfortable with it. Believe me, if I can do it anyone can.

I took my 12 yr. old granddaughter to Paris in March. We stayed at the Royal St. Honore hotel and it was one of the best I've stayed at in Paris. A very nice breakfast is included which is great with kids. The employees are just wonderful. Check it out!

We felt safe walking in the 1st at night though we weren't out very late.

We stayed at the IC Le Grand a few years ago at the club level and it too was very, very nice. I think they have room service but not positive. It's right around the corner from the Opera metro stop.