Has anyone ever stayed at Le Meridien Etoile or Le Meridien Montparnasse in Paris? Where are they located and if you had to pick one of them for a leisure vacation, which would you prefer? <BR>Thanks!

Stayed at the etoile last summer.I got a great package from Air France including the hotel.I would not recommend the hotel except for price At the edge of Paris,very commercial and I was charged a upcharge to get a modern room.After seeing the "modern room",it's hard to imagine the regular room.

I think for your purposes, the left bank Meridian Montparnasse would be preferable. I've stayed there and can tell you that it's a very large modern hotel with good size rooms. I found the concierge staff very friendly and helpful. Neither hotel is in walking distance of tourist attractions, but the Montparnasse is very convenient for the metro and for buses, and it is on the left bank, which has more charm and quaint little streets and churches and markets than the Etoile area of the Right Bank which is much more business oriented. Hope this has been helpful.

Definitely the Montparnasse if you want one of those hotels. They are large, modern, business/convention hotels and very expensive it seems for what you get. But the Etoile one is on the outskirts of Paris near the convention center, that's the reason people stay there (on business). On top of that, you may like these kind of hotels, but you should know that the Meridien Etoile is the largest hotel in France, I think--it is huge (1000+rooms). If you are getting a good deal through a package like Air France and like those kind of hotels, okay, but be aware of the fact that if a travel agent steered you to this, they are probably getting a kickback of some kind from the hotel, that's why they suggest Meridien (I believe Meridien gives travel agents free room nights for selling a certain number of reservations).

Hi Sally: <BR>Another vote for the Montparnesse. I also stayed there as part of an AirFrance package. The room was large and had a great bathroom. It is right across the street from every kind of public transportation. There is a terminal for many differnt bus lines. Great shopping & plenty of restaurants. I likes their Jardenaire (sp) in the hotel for the buffet lunch (wait until you see the desserts!). Patrick, the concierge is a gem! Enjoy your trip!

We also stayed at the Meridien Montparnasse through an Air France package. If you're looking for a boutique hotel, this isn't the place, but if you're looking for the equivalent of a US hotel then you'll be happy here. The rooms are large as are the bathrooms and, as AC said, Patrick the concierge is great! Meridien Montparnasse is located near a central train station with multiple connections and is a short walk away from restaurants such as La Coupole and Le Dome. I would go for it Sally!

i stayed at the Etoile for a weekend and really hated it. It was very commercial, wlking distance from the Arch, but I would definitely not recomment it. I am going back in April anmd staying at Four seasons George V.

We're leaving Fri. on Air France & their package includes Chataeu Frontenac in the same Arc de Triump, Meridien area. Any feed back on this hotel?

to the top!

I find this interesting that everyone is referring to Air France. I just got a Luxury Link best shot package for 156 dollars (us rate prepaid) breakfast included as are taxes. The Montparnasse hadn't came up yet when I bought this package but at that rate for Paris will take the Metro. I put my exta money into fine Resturants. Good luck! I'll be going in March.

jlsayre, just incidentally you may find it very convenient to take the Air France bus that goes straight to your hotel from CDG.

WillTravel, Thanks for the tip but that was mention on the transportion web site for the Le Meridien Etiole. I have been to paris many times because of family living in Paris but enjoy all the tips this web site offers. Would love to find out what type room to request as a possible upgrade? Is the club level worth it?

jlsayre, I don't have any tips about that, but I would suggest you find out what sort of bedding they have assigned you. I seem to recall reading a review that the standard rooms have smallish, full-size beds.

Hi Sally,

I just returned from Paris and had a very enjoyable stay at Le Meridien Montparnasse. The hotel is located in the Montparnasse area on Paris' Left
Bank. Accommodations were excellent and the entire staff was efficient and extremely helpful. Definitely would return again. Looking forward to it!

We arrived in Paris by car, but took the Air France bus to CDG (45 minutes) for EUR 11.50 per person. The Air France bus stops directly across the street from the hotel's main entrance.

From Montparnasse to CDG, the bus departs from 7 am to 9:30 pm every 30 minutes. From CDG to Montparnasse the bus departs from 7 am to 9 pm every 30 minutes. Round trip fare is EUR 19.55 Taxi fare one way is approximately EUR 43 and possibly extra for luggage.

The nearest metro station is Montparnasse Bienvenue across the street from the hotel.

By metro, the Eiffel Tower is 15 min., Saint-Germaine-des-Pres is 5 min. (or 15 min. walking), Notre-Dame is 10 min., the Louvre and the Champs-Elysees are each 15 min., the Rodin Museum is 8 min. The Orsay Museum and Luxembourg Gardens are each 10 min. by bus.

Hope this helps.

Have a great trip!

cruzeok, I liked the Le Meridien Montparnasse also on my recent stay there. Sally, though, last posted in 2000. But no doubt someone else will find your helpful post.

Just be aware that these are basic, standard modern, high rise, characterless business - type hotels. (Think every Hilton or Sheraton across America.)

They are geared primarily for business travelers and secondarily for tour groups. The service for individual travelers is marginal (not even great for meeting/groups) - and while prefectly acceptable, I would never use except on points or for a truly bargain price.

Hi WillTravel,

How could I have missed the date? Never even noticed - just assumed it was current.

Thanks for alerting me. Why was it posted currently? It's sooo old!