I am looking for a fairly well appointed hotel in Paris that will not break the bank (250E -275E per night double) for next November. The Nh Hotel Lotti has some good advance purchase rates but there is little I can find on the hotel on Fodors and TripAdvisor that is current.

I read that it went through a complete renovation in May of this year and the photos look very nice but I am hoping to hear from someone has recent experience and can comment.

I have previously stayed in the 7th at Novotel (via Priceline when it was quite new) the Hilton in the 7th (points), and Le Meridien Montparnasse (which was not very nice and I would not return).

My priorities are a good bed (would really love a king as I am not a good sleeper and disturb my husband less when we have a king) and the availability of a non smoking room. I prefer larger hotels to smaller properties and generally stay at Sofitel, Starwood or Melia hotels when in Europe.

If anyone can comment on the Lotti it would be appreciated as well as recommendations for other hotels that might suit us.

Can't help you but it seems like you aren't aware that virtually all hotels are nonsmoking in Paris now. In fact, only the large modern ones have any smoking floors. Mercures usually do. Very large hotels that might cater to businesspeople might be more likely to continue to have some smoking rooms. Anyway, that won't be a problem.

I do think Sofitels have good beds, however.

That is good news. My last visit was 5 years ago and the hotel lobbies were smoky as were so many of the bistros and restaurants.

Is smoking not allowed in restaurants anymore? That would be wonderful news.

I love the beds at Sofitel and they have some great rates at Sofitel Le Defense. The location would be fine with me but my friends are first time visitors so I suspect would prefer a more central location. Comments on that location and hotel would be appreciated as well.

I know they are a bit of a 'passion killer' but you might be better with good twin beds, rather than trying to find a king bed, which I think might be rare in European hotels. I'm happy to be corrected though if I'm wrong.

For a first time visitor, I wouldn't want to stay at Defense. I would want to be right in the middle of the 5th or 6th.

ttt

The rooms facing the street are much larger and have higher ceilings; soundproofing works well. Go for it.

no, smoking is not allowed in restaurants any more. There is smoking in the outdoor area of cafes and things like that. I think the regulations to allow smoking in restaurants is fairly tough (separate area and some other things) so most restaurants simply don't have it inside at all. No restaurant, cafe or bistro or anything like that had smoking on the inside when I was last there in July. I think the hotel law went into effect last year. Even hotels with a smoking floor definitely will not have it in the lobby, it isn't allowed in common areas at all.
Of course, there is a Sofitel near the Arc (which isn't that great an area, either) and near place de la Concorde, which would be most central. Their rates are probably not as great.

I don't think first timers would want to stay at La Defense, but you never know. Some people really don't care and just want a comfortable hotel. The only time I think it would be a nuisance is at night if you want to go out to dinner and you most likely won't want to stay around there. So then it would be a long trip back to the hotel late.

I think you'll have to consider other hotels, there are plenty of them. I don't think a king bed will be a problem at all at the level of hotel you are seeking, but it will likely be two twin beds pushed together.

This hotel is in your price range and a great location. Those photos sure look like king beds to me. It is traditional style, that may not suit you.
http://www.luxembourg-paris-hotel.com

Don't know about comfort of beds in most hotels, you'll have to go by reviews, I guess. Pullman hotels might be a possibility as they are next to Sofitel in level, I think.

I guess your budget could be an issue at top hotels in the center, of course lots of them have kings but will cost too much (ie George V).

This is a newer, more modern 4* hotel over in the 7th, which a lot of people like --def. better than Defense. They have king beds in the deluxe rooms which are 250 euro in Nov for the internet rate http://fr.lewaltparis.com/

The Lutetia has deluxe rms with king beds and some superior rms with kings, also (looking on the interior, otherwise I think they' be deluxe if they have street views). Those are around 250 in November. http://www.lutetia-paris.com