We need help with chosing a hotel for a Paris stay in November. We want to find a hotel with charm ( french furnishings, large room, bath with tub and shower, a balcony and great view) that hopefully will include coffee, tea and a croissant in the morning. We wish to stay in the $175 - $235 range US dollars. Twin beds, two doubles or even a kingsize.I have narrowed it down to the following hotels: Regina (1, across from the Louvre), Mansart ( near Place Vendome), Madison (6), Brighton( across from Tuillerie Gardens). If anyone has stayed at these hotels would you please give us any information, tips, pro and con? I did find the Regina under Rants and Raves on Fodors but it is difficult at best to find out about the others, especially the Brighton and Mansart Hotels. Do you have a web site for the Brighton? We would love to stay at the Regina but cant's find a good price for them.Sorry to be so long with this, but I am sure that this will help others as well. Also, is there some special thing that ones asks for in order to get a promotion? I have heard of extra nights free?

There are several good reports on the Brighton on Tripadvisor..I also saw that their suite is within your price range.

www.tripadvisor.com

We have stayed at the Brighton many times, the latest last May. It is located across from the Tuileries on Rue de Rivoli. They are renovating the upper floors. The view is spectacular! The Louvre is to the left,the Tuileries in front and the Place de la Concorde to the right with the Eiffel Tower in the distance. At night when everything is lit up it is beautiful. The upper rooms in front are the best. There is a small ledge about 18 inches wide that you can stand on to see the view but it is not wide enough to sit. However, you can sit at a table and chairs with the french door windows open to have tea and watch the activities in the Tuileries. There is no A/C. The Tuileries Metro station is right across the street. Breakfast is an additional charge. Their web address is www.esprit-de-france.com and their e-mail address is [email protected].

Tripadvisor.com is a good place to find hotel reviews. Since I sometimes have trouble navigating their website, I usually do a google search using the words "reviews of xxx hotel in paris" I then look for responses with the tripadvisor.com web address. When you click on that choice there are often links to special offers (on travelocity, orbitz, hotels.com etc.) for that hotel as well as links to user reviews & guide book reviews. Here's the URL for the Mansart. BTW, there are 2 Mansarts listed, the Royal Opera Mansart (with no reviews & plain Mansart with several reviews).

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...de_France.html

Just FYI, I'm sure you realize a balcony will probably not be useable in November. Also, if you find a hotel with a good price that interests you but doesn't offer breakfast, I'd suggest taking it, as part of the fun of Paris, IMO, is venturing out to different cafes & sampling morning pastries. Angelina's on the Rue de Rivoli is famous for their hot chocolate & pastries. People go out of their way to go there. However, Rue de Rivoli is not one of my favorite places despite it's convenience. It's a street with lots of hotels & touristy shops.

Le Madison has gotten lots of positive reviews on this board. Do a text searcg for Paris AND le Madison. Have great time in Paris!

Hi
It has been 3 years since I stayed at the Regina.

Pluses--outstanding right bank location, grand lobby, good buffet breakfast (I think it's an extra charge, but worth it), all services of course. Walking distance to at least three metro stops.

Minuses--at the time, some rooms were better than others, even at the same price. Some were looking worn around the edges, furniture dated, etc.
Absolutely clean, just not in pristine condition. We in fact refused the first two rooms we were offered, the third one was acceptable though still worn. I will say that as befits a "grand" hotel, the rooms are definitely larger than the Paris average. I don't know if for a discounted rate you only get offered lesser rooms at first, or if all the rooms are in need of upgrading.

For a good price I'd stay there again, esp since I am a fan of staying on the right bank. On the third hand, for your price range there are many many choices, perhaps the rooms will be smaller, but the conditions fresher.

,Hi
While I have not stayed in any of these hotels, I do remember this review from someone here who loved the Madison:
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" definately go for le Madison, here's the deal, it's an upscale hotel directly on Blvd. Sant Germain but set back fromt he street, even if you get a room facing the Blvd. the sound proof windows are excellent.
le Madison has very high standards, yet still charming and without that "chain hotel feeling".
There is a full buffet breakfast even the standard rooms are way above average, IMO it's the best 3 star hotel in Paris.
The rooms are decorated in lovely coordiating fabrics, and the vibe is definately NOT rustic.
I have stayed at le Madison on several occasions and the service has always been warm and professional, this is my favorite hotel in Paris. Have you done a search there are mumerous positive posts( including several of mine) I really do not think you could go wrong with this hotel."