ParisAmsterdam

My wife and I stayed at the Grand Hotel St Michel in 2009 and loved it. Dozens of places to eat within a 5 minute walk. I usually prefer a cab but with the hotel so close to the Luxembourg RER we took the train. If you have roller luggage it's an easy walk to the hotel.

I never eat breakfast in hotel basements... there's an inexpensive cafe right across the street.

socialworker

I am not sure about the above comment about eating in a hotel basement. Every hotel we have stayed at in Paris has always been willing to deliver breakfast to the room, if one wishes.

Leely2

I've also used guestapartment.com a couple of times. In fact last May I had a four night stopover on my way elsewhere, so my mom booked a 1-bd from them for a week and I crashed at chez maman for those nights. This Christmas I rented from ParisBestLodge, but I think you said they were fully booked.

crosscheck

I just moved from a hotel in the Marais to the vrbo apt. that I mentioned earlier in this thread (rented by friends) - The apartment is okay (not fancy, view of an unattractive courtyard) for 3 people but I don't recommend this area...the apartment is located adjacent in a mall on the Champs D'Elysee. For charm, stick to the 4th or 6th.

ParisAmsterdam

In Paris I choose to eat at a cafe where I can see Paris rather than in my bedroom or down in a basement is all. Paying about 25% of what most hotels charge is a plus too. A chacun son gout.

Leely2

crosscheck, are you there now? I was reminded by a thread currently on chowhound how much I enjoyed a meal at L'Auberge du 15 in the 13th. A la carte is not inexpensive but worth. The lamb was so, so good.

crosscheck

Hi Leely, Oui, je suis ici. A bit chilly, but as enchanting as ever. Your recommendation is noted, but I might be running of out time. So far I've eaten at Philou (cool foodie bistro in the 10th) and L'as du Falafel (yummy and iconic as ever). Apologies for hijacking this thread - will move back to mine.

Cathinjoetown

The last four small hotels I stayed in in the 6th (Dauphine, Clément, Bonaparte and Relais St. Germain) had breakfast rooms on the ground floor--i know many are in the cave but not all.

The breakfasts at Clément and Relais were excellent, far superior to any café. The Bonaparte breakfast was similar to that at a café but at a better price. In terms of quality, the Dauphine was a let-down. I think the hotel has changed hands since I was there three years ago so there may be improvement.

Christina

Parisian hotels have a variety of situations, many of them do have breakfast rooms in the basement, but others do not. And some will deliver to your room (in fact, some do that if they don't have a breakfast room, I think in order to get a certain star classification of a hotel-- maybe even 2* -- you have to provide breakfast in some manner, even if sent to the room).

I assume the comment was in reference to the fact that the Grand Hotel St Michel does have a basement breakfast room, which they didn't care for. I never eat breakfast in a hotel no matter where it is and would never want to eat it in my room, actually, to me it is part of getting going in the morning and I like being out and about), everybody has different preferences on that point. If you are in an area such as this hotel, it is really easy to find other places, though, whereas in some areas, the hotel is more convenient (but hotels always make a lot of money on those breakfasts).

annhig

in Paris i rarely have breakfast in the hotel, as i like to save my eating for later in the day, so a croissant or baguette and butter will do me.

but else where, if I do want a proper breakfast for some reason, I will have it in house on the first morning to suss it out. then i know what I am or am not missing.

justineparis

"rooms on request" actually means they don't have a room , but they are perhaps holding a room for another reservation and if it falls through they may then have availability. Basically it means keep looking.

Leslapins

Again, thanks for all the suggestions. I can't obsess on accommodations forever, so I've decided to be at peace with Grand Hotel St. Michel at this point. At least it is nice and safe.

No worries about thread drift; I am gobbling up all the cafe and restaurant recommendations too! After all, we also have to eat!

On to planning the day trips!