Has anyone stayed here recently? The reviews on TA are generally good and it has the amenities we're looking for - no smoking, small balcony, a/c, small frig, wifi and breakfast included, plus affordably priced. Still, I'd like to hear from someone who is familiar with this hotel and location. Thanks!

I don't notice as many hotel-specific reviews in this forum anymore, since Tripadvisor is pretty robust these days.. You can find customer reviews on a couple other booking sites:

http://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/clau...ermain.en.html

http://www.venere.com/hotels/paris/h...rnard/#reviews

Thanks so much for the links, Travelnut. I was hoping someone on Fodors had recently stayed here so I could ask a couple of questions. I have sent a couple of PM's to people on TA, but no one has responded yet. Anyone else?

Don't know that specific hotel but I like the location and usually stay in that general area--lots of good restaurants and close to many of the major sites and also to some of the smaller, lesser-known buildings and small museums.

Cathinjoetown I was just about to post the same thing. Haen't stayed there but was most pleased with the area. Nice cafes, great transportation options and walking distance to the river and Notre Dame

Good to know we'll be happy in the area. Now, if I could just know the hotel is a good choice too!! Thanks so much for posting!!

Also haven't stayed there but know this hotel. DH and I usually stay at the Minerve, which is just down the Rue Des Ecoles from here. Love the area, convenient to everything, there's a nice market at Maubert Mutualitie, lots of restaurants and shops. I think a good choice and I have made a note of it for the future.

I stayed here on my first visit to Paris in 1999. Great location for a first visit. If your room faces the street you'll have a lovely views of the Hausmann buildings that line rue des Ecoles however it can be noisy - this is a bus route. And, since my stay there, whenever I smell diesel fumes it reminds me of Paris

Thank you all for your responses!! So glad to know we should be happy here, especially with this location.

Lori, we almost booked Minerve, but Claude Bernard included breakfast and wifi for less $$.

Thanks again!!!