We have a choice betwwen an hotel near the Eiffel tower on the left bank and one on the right bank near the Arc de Triomphe, traveling with 2 20ish sons, what do you think?

One hotel that is a possibility is the Hotel Muguet, read good things about it, but is the neighborhood too quiet for 20ish guys who won't be as tired as their parents?Also have read that the 6e is better than the 7e, any opinions? Would really appreciate hearing from people who have been there...

Neither of these areas has much of a nightlife, which will probably be important for two twenty-something males. Hotels in the 6th (St. Germain), the 5th (Latin Quarter), or even the 4th (the Marais) would put you in much more lively and interesting areas, particularly for young people. Try doing a search on Paris hotels using the search function for this board, and you'll find plenty of posts recommending hotels in these arrondissements.

That's kind of a tough one, I think either one would be fine and both have pros and cons. It may depend how much you want to do around your hotel as my impression is that there would be more casual, low cost restaurants and cafes in the 7th than around the Arc. I stayed near the Arc once and it was okay, it was actually my first time and I was only there a few days, but it definitely has a different more posh, sophisticated feel to it than the 7th. Both are certainly very convenient for sightseeing, though, near metro stops that will get you to other places pretty quick. I don't like the Champs-Elysees much but I suspect your teens might as it's sort of a French shopping mall and there's a big Virgin Records not too far from the Arc which they might enjoy hanging out in. But, cafes and restaurants right around there are expensive. YOu will get better deals and choices if you just go back into the neighborhoods even a little bit, sort of in the close-in 17th arr. is where I'm thinking. It depends if you intend on letting your sons loose on their own at night, if so, I'd probably stay near the Arc. The 6th probably would be better than the 7th in that regard (crowds of people and stuff close by, not quiet) but hotels are generally more expensive there.

You might try reposting your question with the names of the specific hotels for a better response and more information. Sometimes a hotel says it is near the Eiffel tower which means it is about 10 blocks or so south of the tower, which is a whole lot different(and worse, in my opinion) from being north or north east of the tower. The same might be true of the one near the Arc de Triomphe.