We are a family, 3 adults and 2 kids (8&10) and we have narrowed our hotel choices down to these two hotels. Michelet Odeon does not have two rooms on the same floor but, after reading about the area, it sounds good for us. The Hotel de France can give us connecting rooms and I have read good reviews on it. I am the grandma and will be staying in a triple room with the kids in either hotel. This is our first trip to Paris. Which would you choose and why?

I love this site. It really makes it possible for someone like me to plan trips on my own. I really depend on your advice and tips I get here. Thanks for all your help.

ttt

The two hotels are in different districts which it seems like you know already. The Michelet Odeon gets good reviews at Trip Advisor. So if you like the Latin Quarter I'd say the Michelet Odeon is a better choice. For me I wouldn't make the fact that a hotel has connecting rooms decide where I'd stay.

francophile - thanks for your response. You are absolutely right about not making a decision based on whether or not the rooms are connecting. I guess my real questions should have been: Is there any appreciable difference between these hotels and/or districts? Both hotels have favorable reviews on tripadvisor. Is one area better than the other? I have read everything I could get my hands on about the hotels and the areas. But since this is our first trip, I am asking for opinions of people who have been there.

Thanks for your help.

Granbury, I stayed at the Michelet Odeon two years ago and just returned from another trip to Paris during which I stayed in roughly the same neighborhood. The MO is nothing fancy, but I found my room to be spacious by European standards. The room and hotel were clean and the service was adequate. I really like the location though. The Odeon area of the 6eme is not overly touristy, alhtough it is very lively. There are several nearby Metro stops and tons of good places to eat, drink and shop. You're close to the Luxembourg Gardens, Saint Sulpice, and Saint Germain. It's about a 15 minute walk from the hotel to the Seine. I definitely prefer the area to the more touristy 5eme. I like some areas of the 5eme, but others I find to be just slightly seedy. Rue Monge is fine, but in my humble opinion, I think you'll like the Odeon area better.

Good luck with whatever you choose and have a wonderful trip.

Kate

I checked the Michelet Odeon's website and also at parishotels.com and the photos show a hotel that seems attractive and with recently renewed rooms. The price sure seems good for the location.

I don't know anything about comparing the two hotels, but I believe granbury is referring to the Hotel de France Invalides in the 7th. There is a Hotel de France near Gobelins metro stop but I would not recommend you stay there--not due to the area, which I like. I think francophile is calling the Michelet Odeon in the Latin Qtr, but I refer to that area near Odeon as St Germain.

Maybe granbury should say what Hotel de France she is referring to, but I don't think the 5th arr. is in consideration.

I don't know which hotel I'd choose in that case. Probably Hotel de France Invalides for a grandma and the kiddies, but either would do. I think the connecting rooms could be nice, or at least rooms on the same floor, it's near a small park, and the area is just less congested. Of course the Michelet is near Luxembourg gardens for a park.

I realize that the Michelet Odeon is located in the 6th district and not the 5th. It's because granbury mentioned she would like to stay closer to the Latin Quarter and her two choices were either the Michelet Odeon or the Hotel de France.

Indygirl - Thanks so much for your firsthand information. It has really helped me make my decision.

francophile - you are right, I really wanted to stay in the Latin quarter. I'll be staying in one room with the grandkids but my daughter and son in law will be staying in the other room and I thought they would enjoy the Latin quarter. I also thought it would be good to be close to the Luxembourg gardens.

I reserved 2 rooms at Michelet Odeon today and they ended up giving me a double and the 2 room apartment. After reading all the input here, I think we will be very happy there. Thanks a million Fodorites!

Granbury, I am sure you and your family will enjoy your visit to Paris and at the Michelet Odeon. The hotel looks like a really good value.

Just a follow up to say that we are back from our trip amd we really enjoyed the Michelet Odeon. Our rooms and bathrooms were both very large. The hotel staff was friendly and very helpful. The location close to Luxemburg Gardens was great! Great neighborhood...easy to get around. Lots of shops. I am well pleased that we chose this hotel. I will stay at the Michelet Odeon again.

Glad to hear you had a good trip. Careful planning wins again!

I love that location. So many metro choices and close to everything. Was there still scaffolding everywhere? Did you eat at La Mediteranee right across the street? Or Bastide d'Odeon, also nearby?

I'm glad that you had a great trip and the Michelet Odeon worked out well, granbury.

Did your rooms have views of the Theatre de l'Odeon?