I know this question has been asked to death, but thought I would give it another go as I am desperately confused...

My boyfriend and I will be in Paris for 6 days in September. A bit about us: we are 29/30, like to wander around, hope to get lost in Paris while exploring and stumbling upon things to do and see. We want to stay in an area where there are several cafes, bars, shopping etc. Obviously we are looking in the 4e, 5e, and 6e arrondissements, but can't determine which will be the best for us (or will it matter??) This is his first time to Paris, and my second (but it was 13 yrs. ago, so that doesn't really count). Budget is E150 (approx $200 usd/night). We want a charming place, w/ ac, smaller boutique preferred.

Hotels we are looking at, based on reviews here and trip advisor:
1e: Hotel Britannique
4e: Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais
Hotel de la Bretonnerie
Hotel Beauborg
5e: The Five
Hotel Relais St. Jacques
6e: Hotel le St. Beuve
Hotel le Regent
Hotel des Marronniers

Would appreciate any input on which area might be best suited to our desires. And if anybody has any strong opinions they would be much appreciated as well!

hi achesh:
i have been to Paris a couple of times, and i use the guide book by Karen Brown. She recommends nice B&B's or small inns. I've never been disappointed.

ttt

All of those hotels are well-known and in good locations.
St Beuve is nearer Montparnasse... Le Regent's standard rooms are small (I've read)...Caron B's backside rooms are darker, I think I've read...that's about all I recall.
I'd put them in a matrix with the room rate, then list my preferred criteria (minibar, a/c, etc).. then I'd read Tripadvisor and Fodors comments and start making + and - signs.. then contact 2-3 of them and see what happens.

I have stayed at Le Regent and des Marronniers and prefer Le Regent, although the Marronniers is quite nice, too. Both are in great locations,perhaps rue Jacob being a bit more charming than rue Dauphine. I found the staff at Regent to be especially helpful and friendly. I don't think you will find a double room at Regent for 150E in Sept. We paid 208 last Sept.

I happen to like staying in the 6th but would like to try the 4th to get to know it better.

We are staying in two hotels for our stay in June/July. We will be at the Muguet first, then later will be at the Britannique for 5 nights. I obviously can't speak much about it yet, but we booked it based on personal recommendations. If you want, I can let you know how it is when we return in early July.

Don't know if this hotel will meet all of your specs (do any small boutique hotels in paris have A/c?), but you might take a look at Hotel De Notre Dame on Rue Maitre Albert (5e). (There are other hotels nearby with similar names, so go by the street address to distinguish this one). We stayed there many years ago and then again this March. Building probably originally from 18th Century, restored. Rooms are very small, but comfortable and quiet and cleanliness is excellent (Note: there is an elevator, but corridors are narrow and have some steps; tubs are very small -- so not for the disabled or very large person). Some rooms on upper floor have sloped ceilings and garret windows; others have some original wooden ceiling beams. Furnishings in the room are unremarkable, but the staff is friendly and, to our minds, the location can't be beat. (But not for anyone with disabilities)
It's on a narrow street 100 yards from Place Maubert (Metro stop, taxi stand, cafes, banks, small grocers, cheese shop, bakery, flower merchant, fruit stand, twice a week farmers market, etc.) in one direction and 150 yards from the Seine just opposite Notre Dame in the other (you can hear the bells from this hotel). This is the REAL latin quarter.

Thank you so much for the replies everyone! Its easy to read every review on Trip Advisor, and still be confused about which place will be good for you; sometimes it helps to have a real dialogue w/ people who know the areas.

I have definitely been making lists, and am convinced that about any of these hotels will be ok - sometimes I have the tendency to overthink things...

Grandmere, you are right, Le Regent is a bit higher, around E180. (my E150 is a goal, not set in stone if I find somewhere worth a little bit more!).

Caron B is booked - bummer! Just when you are leaning toward a specific place, right?

Will def. check out Hotel De Notre Dame, Pal - location sounds superb!

I was just thinking "Hotel de Notre Dame" when I came to pal's post.

It's a great location on a quiet medieval street within view of Ile St. Louis and the bookinistes along the Seine and within a few minutes walk to both Blvd. St Germain and Notre Dame. Lots of small streets to get lost on in this neighborhood.

I don't remember the tubs being small. In fact, I'm tall and could stretch out and sink down in hot water up to my neck -- great after long walks every day.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the areas you're considering. I've stayed in several hotels in Paris because I like trying something different, but the de Notre Dame is one of the best I've tried and the location was the best. It is the Latin Quarter, but quieter than the area around St. Michel

Hi I'm a tour guide and have just spent 1 week checking out about 25 hotels in Paris and sooo..I would have said Caron, too bad,forget about air con, open the windows Sept is not hot and you are paying for something you will not benefit from as you will be out and about all the time!! As you are around 30 years old the 'Mouff'(5th) is a really fun place so my 1st suggestion is see if U can get a GARDEN room (ask for this building specif.) at the Hotel des Grandes Ecoles..total overkill on the toile and floral but v romantic garden and just steps away from Contrascarpe and Rue Mouffetard which is just 'happening' Relais St Sulpice lovely and a minute from all the bars etc near Mabillon metro a The Bretonnerie has drab brown bathroom tiles but quite good and v good location, the Best Western (dont let that put U off as is charming)Hotel L'Universe in the 6th has small rooms(go for superior)but gorgeous and bars/restaurants at door,also Hotel Clement small rooms but v nice and great location for 29.30 yr olds. Seriously, I have inspected them all, all of these are good...enjoy

Me again, almost forgot...Hotel St Jacques, Rue des Ecoles is very nicely presented, not at all shabby for only about 130 a night. Nice staff too, murals etc

I (like grandmere) have stayed at both Le Regent and Des Marronniers. Le Regent has been my hotel of choice for almost 30 years (including prior to its renovation!), as I like its location near the Seine and the Deluxe rooms are quite nice by Paris standards.

Des Marronniers is fine too, but I don't think it's quite as nice.
Have a great time - you'll be fine with either of these places for certain.

Best, Dave

I have stayed at a few of your hotels.

Hotel des Marronniers: really nice small cute hotel, have stayed here many times. I prefer the cheaper rooms that face the courtyard in front, the ones that face the back are a bit more and I don't see any difference in view or quietness, both are nice. Great staff, great location.

Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais: I like this one too, would be perfect for you but as you said it is booked.

Hotel de la Bretonnerie
Hotel Beauborg I haven't stayed here but my friends have stayed in the Bretonnerie and liked it. It is too close for me to the Pom. Center.

Hotel Relais St. Jacques: great area for you. Haven't stayed here but have it bookmarked for the future, have heard that the frount facing rooms can be noisy at night.

For a first time visit I would prefer 6arr.,5arr.,3/4arr., in that order, hope you have a great first trip.

Thank you so much again everybody! I was just sold on Hotel de Notre Dame, and my boyfriend told me he didn't want to take the small chance w/ no air....so, in the interest of making both of us happy...

...his new favorites are Hotel Pas de Calais & Hotel Beaubourg, w/ our backups being des Marronniers and Henri IV Rive Gauche. I think I will start emailing now! Other than construction that was finished a year ago at Pas de Calais, we have found only pretty good things about it (he likes the website pix) - anybody hear anything else?

Thank you again everybody - this site is a travel necessity!