help me...down to 3 hotel choices
 

We are two single "older" women visiting Paris in November. First visit for one. Been a long time for the other. Although we do not have lots and lots of money, we do not want to be "frugal" either--after all, this is Paris.

So, we are down to three choices for hotel. I'd like some input so we can finalize. Our three choices are: Hotel de L'Odeon (285 euro), Hotel Lutetia (280 euro) and HOtel REgina (225 euro).

Thoughts? Inputs?

Thank you.

We were at the Lutetia in May, and it was perfectly fine, but we disliked the location. No atmosphere, metro or taxi to interesting parts of Paris. We were traveling with 8 people and everyone felt kind of let down. Good breakfast buffet. Rooms good size, but...

GHiven Kdappleton's response I am now more convinced than ever before that there is nothing quite as bad as "not so bad."

It might help us if you explained why you selected those three as your finalists...price, location, decor, points? Which hotels in that price range did you rule out? For example, I might have suggesteed the Hotel Luxembourg Parc, a 4 star hotel in a great location and in your price range, but you may have already eliminated it for one reason or another.

I've read reviews, visited web sites, checked price, communicated with...what feels like 100's of hotels in Paris. In fact, getting more and more confused with each turn. Finally decided that "I" just need to make decision and move on...and that's why three three. I know it probably doesn't make sense.

I will look at Hotel Luxembourg Parc (I'm pretty sure I've come across) again..and this may only lengthen my list again. :)

I will eliminated Hotel Lustetia at this point tho. There was one "horrible" reviewi on TripAdvisor (along with photos as evidence). so it's not just a "reactive" kinda thing.

I'm surprised by kdappleton's reasons for disliking the Lutetia >>No atmosphere, metro or taxi to interesting parts of Paris<<.

I'm not crazy about the hotel (too big, don't like the decor), but it sits right above metro station Sévres-Babylone, has a taxi rank a block away, and is on the border of the 6th and 7th arrondissements.

I appreciate everyone is interested in different things, but I think this IS one of the "interesting parts of Paris" and wouldn't want to have people unfamiliar with the area get the wrong impression.
The Lutetia is at the center of a largish geographical circle that includes St-Germain des Prés, the Luxembourg Gardens, Montparnasse, Invalides, Musée d'Orsay, and Musée Rodin, all within walking distance for a reasonably healthy walker. And I haven't even mentioned the wonderful Bon Marché department store across the square, with its Grande Epicerie food hall. ;-)

For those into "Project Runway" (how could you not!?), the contestants stayed at Hotel Lutetia while in Paris. It looked nice. The Bon Marché department store would be the deal breaker for me :S- !

We stayed at the Regina in one of their medium-priced rooms and were very disappointed, both by the room (outdated décor, scratched furniture, very small bathroom) and the uppity attitude of the staff. However, the location is great.

But you can do better: try the Mansart (in the 1st, off the Place Vendôme) or the Madison (6th, opposite the church of St-Germain-des-Prés).

A project runway fan here... and I love Paris! Lutetia looked fine to me!

:)
I knew it...my list is getting longer again.

I have not stayed at any of kardon's hotel choices. But I must say that the Lutetia's location is a nice one. It's in an atmospheric neighborhood closeby to St. Germain as shelio said. There are many shops and restaurants near to the hotel. The Bon Marche and L'Epicerie are just a few steps away too.

A few years ago I stayed at the Regina and we too found our room to be shabby around the edges and in need of a re-do. Fabulous location if you like the 1st, which we do. I do believe that the Regina underwent a renovation in the past year, you might want to inquire. if it didn't, I'd stay elsewhere. I think the Lutetia has a fab left bank location, and it's a very nice hotel, but again, some rooms fresher than others. For a comparable price (maybe a bit more), try the Aubusson. Perfect location (in the 6th), beautiful rooms and public areas, all services and amenities. The superior rooms are distinctly larger than the standard.

OK..I'm still with you all.
I've dumped all my original list. Looked at everyone's suggestions... and (yeah right) i think I want one of the two: Aubusson or Luxembourg Parc. Aubusson is closer to Seine (don't know why that should make difference)... gosh, I am so confused.

Kardon....I think it really does make a difference to be very close to the Seine. I have stayed within a block of the Aubusson on three visits to Paris, and it added so much to the experience to be able to walk along or across the Seine within minutes of leaving my hotel room. No planning necessary...just think about being on the Seine and you're there in a jiffy, with no effort at all.

marthaq
where did "you" stay? do you recommend?

One time we stayed at the Relais Christine, a 4* hotel around the corner from the Aubusson. The next time we stayed at the Millesime on Rue Jacob, a lovely 3* hotel that is the sister hotel to the 4*Aubusson.

I highly recommend the Millesime. The Relais Christine has become terribly expensive compared to other properties.

If you want to be near the Seine, then you should pick the Aubusson over the Luxembourg Parc. I would much rather be by the gardens, so would pick the LP. (I don't particularly like being that close to the Seine around evening rush hour...all those noisy cars clogging the tiny streets leading to the Seine and filling the air with exhaust. But aside from that [and the d'Aubusson rooms are soundproofed], those tiny streets are lots of fun to poke around and full of atmosphere.)

Thank you. This was great. I got in touch with Aubusson and got a superior apartment "winter" deal that includes all sorts of amenities I could use--for just about the same cost. And I'll have to remember LC for the next trip.

BTilke--I guess I'll learn about the noise by Seine.

It's just a certain time of day and doesn't last that long, so you probably won't even notice it. And your hotel room will be soundproofed, so you won't hear the noise or smell the exhaust while you're in the hotel. I just happen to prefer leafy avenues to tiny streets. The Aubusson's neighborhood is definitely fun to be in, full of galleries, cafes, restaurants, shops. And November is a beautiful time to be in Paris.

Have a look at Hotel Le Regent and reviews on TripAdvisor.