My husband and I are planning a special trip to Paris. I am interested in the following hotels. How are these? I am looking for something special. <BR>the hotels under consideration are: <BR>Hotel du Jeu de Paume <BR>Deux- iles <BR>St- Louis <BR>Relais Christine <BR>Relais St Germaine <BR>Commodore Millenium <BR>Duc St. Simon <BR>Any other places we ought to consider? I am concerned that we will have a hard time locating a place at a nice hotel in the middle of June if we wait much longer. <BR>Thanks for your help!

Cynthia, we stayed at the Grand Hotel Leveque on a lovely market street in the 7th And. It is an easy 7 blocks to the Eiffel Tower from here. This hotel is a favorite of Rick Steves and is highly recommended in several guidebooks. They are now on the web at http://interresa.ca/hotel/leveque/ . Just book as early as possible.

I haven't stayed at any of the hotels, but have heard that Deux-iles and St-Louis are a bit down-at-the-heels compared to the others on your list. I've seen the Relais Christine and love it. It's a beautiful hotel with its own huge gated courtyard right in the middle of the liveliest part of St. Germain and its cafes, restaurants etc. The Duc St. Simon is a very very chic and elegant small hotel in a quiet area of the 7th arrond. but within walking distance of the action. The Jeu de Paume is on the Ile St-Louis which is like an elegant little village in the midst of Paris, centrally located for both the Right and Left Banks. I think that once you decide which location you prefer, the choice of hotel will be simple.

Cynthia, <BR> <BR>We stayed at the St.James in Paris a few years ago and it was excellent. Close to the Arc deTriomphe in a wonderful building. <BR> <BR>It was a touch pricey, but if youre looking for something special then worth it. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps. <BR> <BR>Steve

I would not recommend the Hotel St. Louis. The rooms are so small that you cannot open your suit case and walk in the room at the same time! I know you've heard this about Paris hotel rooms before but it is literally true at the Hotel St. Louis. I was also not thrilled with the housekeeping and they need to spruce it up a little - bathrooms are a little dingy. But then I'm fussy! We were there last October. I will say that the location is fabulous. But I would stay at the Hotel Jeu de Paume if you want that location. I have read excellent reviews about the Relais Christine as well as the Duc St. Simon, both on the left bank also in good locations. We stayed at the Duc St. Simon many, many years ago and enjoyed it very much. It has a lovely courtyard and you feel like you're in a country home instead of a big city. The next time we are in Paris we are going to try the Hotel d'Aubusson on the left bank.