We are traveling for the first time to London and Paris in late May and early June with our two sons, 19 and 22. We like to travel more upscale and want to stay in the best location for theatre, shopping, etc. We were told about two hotels/apartment type buildings in London - 51 Buckingham Gate and the Ascott/Mayfair. Does anyone know anything about these or can you recommend anything else?

In Paris, we were told about the D'Aubusson on the Left Bank. What area is the best area when traveling with two boys. I am just beginning to plan this so I have very limited info. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated... as well as restaurants. Our boys are well traveled (Ha - except these two places)and willing to do lots of different types of sightseeing, museums, etc.

If you enter the names of the hotels in the search box above, you will get a lot of feedback. Many people on the forum seem to think highly of the D'Aubusson. Other nice hotels in the same area of Paris are the Madison and the Relais Christine. We like the Hotel des Saints-Peres, also in the 6eme.

The Paris Mariott.

It is the only hotel located on the world famous Champs-Elysees.
This is a five star property, and prices START at 550 euros a night in the summer. This the most expensive Mariott hotel in the world. But it's well worth it. The location is simpley the best in the city, and is central to all of the shopping, theatres, and it is surrounded by parisian pastry shops and cafes ! We stayed in there for a couple of nights last august, and I would never stay anywhere else if I were in Paris for a short trip.

I don't consider the Champs Elysées to be the best location for theatre, shopping, etc. at all, nor is it surrounded by cafés and pastry shops - which Champs Elysées did you stay on?

The Champs Elysées may be the most famous avenue in the world and in Paris, but it's just a huge long, really not particularly attractive street with a lot of totally un-Parisian stores on it selling American-type merchandise for the most part.

When I think shopping in Paris, for high-end I think the rue St-Honoré or some of the little streets near the rue Buci in the 6th or the Boulevard Haussman for the department stores. When I think cafés and pastry shops, I think of neighborhoods in the Ecole Militaire area or St-Germain or the Marais or Montmartre.

The Champs Elysées is fine for what it is, but it's not an ideal location for visiting Paris and to me it's very low on my list of charming places, places for shopping, or places for going to a café or pastry shop.

StCirq,

It's sad that you're only saying that because you just can't afford it. So you have suggested about four different places for shopping, and then four other areas for cafes, but see I am way smarter than that, I gave her a direct short cut with a central location to all of that ! The Champs Elysees's location is close to everything she would want to visit.

Agree with St. Cirq. The Champs Elysee is really not the most charming part of Paris. And MMHH, I think it is not appropriate to tell another poster why he or she says something. We mostly express our opinions, just as you did. Isn't that what the forum is for? We have different likes and dislikes, fortunately.

Take New York for example, the most "charming" area is probably SOHO in Downtown Manhattan. HOWEVER, if you are in New York for the first time EVER(this Paci's first time in Paris ever)you should defenitely stay in Midtown Manhattan which is right in the middle of all the shopping, museums, TV studios, theaters, and all of that stuff. But you should definitely visit the downtown area to see how charming it is, and then if you come back again to the city, you will stay in the area you liked best! if this doesn't make sense to you, I don't know what would

How in the world do you know what I can and cannot afford?

Let's put it this way, MM: I've made about 65 trips to Paris, so I think I'm entitled to an opinion about the Champs Elysées. If you want to stay there, be my guest.

HEY EVERYBODY, StCirq can afford to stay at the Chams-Elysees, s/he also has a keyboard that enables him/her to type a french accent !

MMHH - Don't know why you are being so rude to StCirq, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I agree with her about staying in the neighborhoods that give you the Parisian feel. And a lot of us, even if we could afford 550 euros a night, would rather spend that money on some nice dinners or save towards another trip somewhere.

On this forum, StCirq is one of her most helpful posters concerning questions about France and there is no reason to be rude to her or anyone else.

MMHH is another alias for the t who has been intruding here under various aliases. The t pretends to travel, having often 'just returned' or 'about to leave' but it is all bogus.
The reponses are designed to irritate and provoke--at that, it's very successful.

I completely agree with St Cirq. I too don't consider the Champs to be at all a convenient or charming place to stay, any more than in New York, where I happen to live, would I recommend that someone stay in Times Square. It's famous, but most of its commerce, restaurants, and 'attractions' are designed to pull in tourists rather than be of genuine value or charm, if that's what you are looking for.


As for the original question, I stayed at the Aubusson a few years ago and loved it, found the location very convenient (two metro stations within just a few blocks), reasonable walking distance to Notre Dame or to the Pantheon, and surrounded with lots of casual cafes. If it is within your budget, I have family, including teenage boys, who stayed at the Lutetia a few years ago. It's on the 6th-7th border, very well located, and across the street from the Bon Marche dept store which, among other things, has a wonderful grocery store.

The family in question are able to stay in very top-level hotels when they travel. The Lutetia is not the best hotel in Paris (that would be the luxury palaces like the Crillon or Bristol) but for a family including young men, the rooms are much larger than average (larger than at the Aubusson), there is room service, a restaurant, all other services. And step outside to find again, lots of casual cafes and such.

I have a long file on Paris; if you'd like to see it, email me at
[email protected]

enjoy your trip

Thanks for the tip, Elaine. I suspected as much. As for the keyboard issue:

<<s/he also has a keyboard that enables him/her to type a french accent!>>

Yes, well, everyone with a keyboard can do that, but I guess you're not up to speed on that, MM. And just as an aside, in French, a letter with an accent is actually considered to be a separate letter, so an à, e.g., is not the same as an a. But that no doubt would be a detail beyond your comprehension.

St Cirq - is absolutely correct. The Champs Elysees is probably the most famous street in Paris - but hardly the most charming. IMHO it is one of the least charming.

And why go to Paris to stay in a Marriott? You can do that in Peoria! If you want a top notch hotel go for the Crillion - a much better location all around.

1st. The Marriott in C-E is not a 5 star property ; is a charmless american hotel with prices that start at 350euros; nothing special.
2nd i think that MMHH behavior was inappropriate
3rd. What's your budget ?
4nd. MY suggestions will be:
1.Raphael(a member of the leading small hotels in the World located 3 blocks from the C-E 1 block from the ADT with metro station Kleber just outside)Spacious well decorated rooms. Chic Lobby , reputed bar , fitness center e.t.c prices from 360euros per night. www.raphael-hotel.com
2.Hotel Le Faubourg located in the center of Paris half block from the place Concorde. CHic, modern hotel with godd restaurant and well appointed rooms. Rates from 230euros www.sofitel.com
3.Hotel Scribe located opposite the Opera garnier 2 blocks from the dpt stores and 4 blocks mrom the Madeleine a 4l establishment with 2 restaurants spacious rooms. rates from 190euros www.sofitel.com
5th i think that location is subjective ; it s based on your opinion(the 5th & 6th arr are more charming, the 16th, 8th and part of the 1st arr mora upscale e.tc)
Hope my reply helped

I have not been able to reply to my original post because of computer problems but I was very disappointed in the arguing that occurred. That is not what this forum is for. I am looking for clear and helpful information. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and frankly, it is really up to me to decide what might be a good suggestion or not. So... I am trying again, for all of you who know of any good hotels in the London and Paris area between $350.00 - $500.00 american dollars, I would appreciate hearing from you. Greece and Elaine, thank you for your helpfulness.

Huh, Paci? We all have different opinions. You asked for opinions on which area is the best to stay at. How can that happen WITHOUT people siding with their own opinions. I see no "arguing", just disagreements on opinions. How is that NOT possible when you ask for ideas and opinions.
You seem to indicate that you were hoping everyone would agree. If that were the case,they wouldn't be called opinions, now would they.

Now for my opinion: Stay in Paris at Relais St. Germain which will be in the $300 to $400 range. It is on the Left Bank near Odeon and is a wonderful atmospheric hotel.

In London, with your budget I'd stay at the delightful Covent Garden Hotel.

i am coming to the conclusion that Paci is some sort of inverted troll.

he asks a question, which is the BEST upscale location in paris, which obviously will be subject to interepretation and then acts so innocent when an argument breaks out and blurts:
"and frankly, it is really up to me to decide what might be a good suggestion or not"

after stirring this row he persists with "So... I am trying again, for all of you who know of any good hotels in the London and Paris area between $350.00 - $500.00 american dollars, "

i rented the Hotel De Buci for $204 is it any good? july 18th 1 night

Paci, you've started this new thread, but for your reference here is your previous question on the same topic

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34573751