This looks like quite a nice hotel--any comments?

Yup. Comes very well recommended (just last week, as a matter of fact) by a lawyer friend of mine in New York, whose travel agent booked it for him. Rooms were lovely (his words) spacious, very clean, charming staff-large French windows-they liked everything about it, and advised they will stay there again. The hotel is very near la Madeleine Church, Fauchons, etc.

Curious, I just took a look on tripadvisor.com to see what the comments were. I was a bit surprised-all reviews were overwhelmingly positive, some describing it as a "bijou" and a best-kept secret of theirs-you don't normally see that kind of uniform praise for any Paris hotels. Didn't check the rates, but it appears it's not in the deluxe 4 star category.

Hi Underhill, yes, I've read about this hotel. It gets great reviews as mentioned. However, it's in the 8th district, nice area it's located, but for me, I think I decided I like the 6th best.

But Lavoisier is owned by the same owners who own the St. Gregoire (6th) and the Tourville (7th); gee, looks like they own a hotel in the 6th-8th districts! I believe the staff at all these hotels get great comments as well for their service.

Yes, the Lavoisier is a good choice. Are you interested in this one, Underhill?

Sort of, although it's in an area that's not one of my favorites compared with the 1st and the 6th. Also, I don't see much about Internet connectivity.

They're listed at www.parishotels.com and there's mention that internet connection is possible in the rooms.

Went to look and discovered the St-Gregoire: very pretty rooms, but I've heard that they are smallish.

Hi Underhill, I had asked about the St. Gregoire just recently. Its decor is similar to the Tourville and Lavoisier. The only drawback is the location; the hotel says it takes only 2 minutes to walk to Bon Marche which is down the street. Is this accurate??

Anyway, it's closer to Montparnasse and not to St. Germain. I figure if I walk it to St. Germain in the freezing January wintertime it may not be a pleasant walk. I average it may be 30 minutes for me. Last time I walked from rue Jacob to Bon Marche it is kind of far.

I understand that the St. Gregoire and the Tourville do not have shower curtains or shields. Since the owner is the same I guess the Lavoisier may not have them either.

On Rants & Raves a few people really ranted badly about the St. Gregoire so are those comments valid? I hope not as it looks like a nice place.

I'd say there's no way in the world Bon marche is two minutes from the St Gregoire unless you run. Really, hardly anything is two minutes from something unless it's a door or two away. It's not that far, though. I'd say it's about three short blocks, the grocery store is closer than the main store.

It isn't a 30 minute walk to St Germain, but that does depend where you want to go. It's probably about 15-20 min to rue de Buci, maybe. Well, maybe it could be 30 in bad weather.

Thanks, Christina, for clarifying exactly how far the distance is between the St. Gregoire & the Bon Marche and the distance from the hotel and St. Germain. I couldn't believe it's only 2 minutes (by walking too) to the Bon Marche even if I ran. And it's the manager who told me that!

You can put two addresses into www.mappy.com, and select "pedestrian" to find out how far something is when walking. You can even specify 'via' to create a routing a certain way.

I use this all the time to see how far it would be to walk from nearest metro to a hotel.