We are planning a trip to Paris in May. I've narrowed the choices down to five that are recommended by various guide books and seem to fit our price range. Wonder if anyone has stayed at any of these (trying to keep the cost under $200/night) or has any others you are particularly fond of. The ones I've found so far:
1.Hotel St.-Merry
2. Hotel Langloise
3. Hotel Champs De Mars
4. Hotel Bretonnerrie
5.Hotel des deux continents

General preference is comfort, atmosphere, easy access to metro/tourist sites, but doesn't need to be in the thick of things (quiet is better) thanks

Have you looked at the MANY threads on this on THIS board? Please do and THEN come back.

Its been a few years since we've been to Paris but we started & finished our trip there. A neighbor had been several times & his 2 reccomondations were Hotel Brighton-by Tuleres Park-It was very quiet-walking distance to Louve-& Notre Dam
Then end of our stay we stayed at Hotel Muguet-I think thats how you spell it-I took the top room with the view of Eifel Tower. It has a lower star so no bell service and we had to climb up with our suitcases-but oh what a view. It was in a neighborhood so quiet also. I too prefer quiet. I can't remember prices Chris

also stayed at Hotel Muget several years ago and we were very happy there.

When you mention a hotel in Paris you should really tag it with the arrondissement[1-20] as there are more than 2,000 hotels in central Paris. The monuments are dotted all over the city and usually a hotel with a view will charge a premium. The metro is easy to navigate, the buses criss cross the city and you can also use the river - you buy a day pass and get on and off as you like at seven of the main monuments. May is one of the peak months & has 4 national holidays. It is also a big month for the locals with the French Open Tennis, The Great Paris Steeplechase, Museums by Night... Back to accommodation - Paris is tricky and you should really do your homework on comfort if you are on a budget and you don't want to drag your baggage up several flights of stairs. Bon Voyage, Poppy

We've stayed at Deux Continents and really liked it. I love Rue Jacob. It is very convenient for cafes, services and transportation. We've stayed at almost all the hotels along the street.

Friends have stayed at Bretonnerie and gave it high marks. Fo location though I musch prefer Rue Jacob

You might also look at La Familia in the 5th. I really am not fond of staying in the 7th. Not enough "buzz" for me.The fasmila is well located and comes with breakfast and is well within your price range.

We like Hotel St Jacques in the 5th - its about 130 euros a night.

Another vote for the Hotel Muguet - very clean, comfortable and convenient to the metro, shopping and restaurants. But I am fond of the 7th arrondissement, while others find it a tad quiet and residential.

I have seen endorsements for the other hotels on your list. I think it comes down to where you want to be based. Your list has properties that are in several neighborhoods.

Enjoy your visit!
Julie
www.juliesparis.wordpress.com

We stayed in the 5th at the Hotel des Grandes Ecoles. It has a courtyard/garden, where you can have breakfast outside in warm weather. We asked for a quiet room and got one, in the back overlooking the garden. The rooms are a bit barebones for some (no TV) but very reasonably priced for Paris, and the area is excellent, near the Rue Mouffetard market street and many restaurants. This is a popular place so you have to book early.

But have you looked up your hotel choices at www.tripadvisor.com? Should be plenty of reviews there. And do look closely at location. One of the single-digit arrondissements is best for a first-time visit to Paris.

yes, I've stayed at Hotel Langlois (your spelling is wrong, you might re-check the books you are using). I think it has everything you are looking for, but so do lots of other hotels, so not sure what to say. I haven't stayed at any of the others you name (I don't think you'll find anyone who has stayed at all of those), but know they are well-liked, the guidebooks are correct in that regard.

I like being in a little different area than most tourists, so liked the location of the Langlois, and it is not far out, by any means. However, I will say many tourists probably would prefer another location for their first visit. Just a guess. The Langlois' location is more for local residents and people who aren't looking for expensive cafes and restaurants and don't list shopping as a major goal. If you are more like that, or want to eat at the cafes and restaurants you find in the guidebooks (eg, Deux Magots, etc.) or shop on rue Cler, it's probably not a good fit.

It's easy to get places from the Langlois, it's about right across the street from the Trinite metro stop. From what I've heard, its rooms are larger than many other budget hotels (eg, the Champ de Mars is cute and I think you'll like the location, but I think the rooms are real small).

Lauramsgarden: I have a hotel thread with plenty of comments. Just type in the search box, "Paris Hotels Left Bank Thread". The Right Bank thread is linked to it. Happy Travels!

We really enjoyed Hotel Langlois. The empty fridge (as opposed to mini-bar) was nice to have. And, the rooms are positively enormous for Paris (a good enough reason on it's own to stay there).

We've also stayed at Hotel Muguet several times, but the owner/staff is a little too hands on (something often mentioned for Hotel Champs de Mars also).

thanks for the help, as always you all are great