Has anyone stayed at the Hotel Clarion Saint James Et Albany? The location looks good on the map but is it really in a good area? We are planning a trip for the fall and they have availability.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

The hotel is in a VERY good area, right on the Rue de Rivoli and opposite the Tuileries gardens. It's close enough to walk to the Louvre and the Palais- Royal and in an area filled with good restaurants, cafés, and shops.

We stayed at the hotel about 10 years ago and hated it: our room was dirty, a cupboard door in the mini-kitchen was falling off the hinges, the deçor (what there was of it) was mid-60's, and the front-desk personnel were rude. I have heard that the hotel has been somewhat refurbished since that time and that things have improved. I do hope so, as it had excellent potential. I would be sure to ask for a recently renovated room.

Hi
also check for comments at www.tripadvisor.com

As said, location is excellent for the right bank, quite central, walking distance to the Louvre. I often stay in that neighborhood.
The area doesn't offer as many choices as the left bank does for casual dining,
so don't get sucked into the tourist trap places on Rue de Rivoli.
Except do go to Angelina's for hot chocolate and pastry.

I stayed there <i>more</i> than 10 years ago &amp; also hated it. But I didn't like the location either. As Elaine says, there are not many casual but nice dining places nearby. I think you can do better.

We actually found quite a number of nice, casula places to eat: Le Pain Quotidien for breakfast and lunch. Le Souffl&eacute; for lunch and dinner; the various restaurants at the Louvre for most meals; L'Absinthe for dinner; L'Ardoise for dinner; several Italian places...once you get off the Rue de Rivoli there are quite a few options. In the same general area is the Washington Opera Hotel, which is quite nice and often has specials. There's also the Mansart, just off the Place Vend&ocirc;me.

Forget the Wash. Opera; I just read some comments on the TripAdvisor.com site to the effect taht the hotel might be running a bait-and-switch operation. Also, the prices have skyrocketed.