rbrewer

London
With London it is hard. I need hotel with AMAZING service in an incredible location. I want it to be 5 stars as well, but that is just one of my wants.

-Firmdale Properties
-Parkes Hotel
-Athenaeum Hotel and Apartments
-The Capital Hotel
-The Stafford
-The Bentley
-Durley House
-The Langham
-The Connaught
-The Draycott
-The Cranley
-The Royal Park
-Raddison SAS May Fair (since they have 2 doubles)

Paris
Paris is much easier for me. I like the Lancaster the best, but it seems to be a little bit out of my price range. I know that it is the best hotel on my list however. The Castille seems to be a down market version of the Lancaster (but not that down market of course) which is also appealing. How is the Castille compared to the Lancaster overall, or do they not compare?

-Royal Monceau
-Castille Paris
-Lancaster

Thanks to everyone for dealing with me thus far!

jlsayre

I'm sorry I didn't read all the answers on this posting but at one point you wanted the web site for Samantha Brown's apartment I filed it in my favorites but I just pulled it up and it has changed alittle and I don't think the apartment that Samantha had is not posted anymore. It was in the 6th near the Latin Quarter. The one I saw wasn't it but looks like it might meet your pleasure. Try
welcome2france.com

rbrewer

m_kingdom, since you have such a vast knowledge of hotels in London, tell me the hotels that you consider to be the best. I like the exterior of the Connaught but the rooms are not that exciting. Kind of boring if you ask me. I like the Ritz and the Four Seasons and those type of properties but do not have the $$$$ to afford them. So, since I like hotels like that, what would be a good alternative for me?

crepes_a_go_go

<< I like the Ritz and the Four Seasons and those type of properties but do not have the $$$$ to afford them. So, since I like hotels like that, what would be a good alternative for me? >>

Honestly, this is the damnedest thread I've ever read! My two teenaged boys are traveling with me to England and France this summer, and if I were going on like this, they'd back out of the trip.

The three of us have stayed in some great hotels for 100€ per night, but we don't need room service and concierge services. We are constantly out and about, seeing the sights and experiencing the culture, not dining in our room.

But, good luck finding luxury for less, and may the force be with your sons.

mah1980

I've never seen a thread like this either. I'm amazed that it has gone on as long as it has.

Too much emphasis on the hotel will only end in disappointment unless you are willing to pay 5* prices.

Hotels are important, but I don't think their selection deserves this much excruciatingly detailed inquiry.

greece

You have in your list the Royal Monceau? Check the reviews on tripadvisor . It has very poor ratings recently and the hotel may be still undergoing room renovations. Mandarin Oriental managed it for only 1 year. Unless you get a very good rate (i mean around 350euros) you shouldn't stay there.At least that's my opinion. We had booked this hotel for our trip on Dec 2004 but changed and stayed at the Raphael instead(there was a 20euros difference) and we are happy about it, as when visited, the lobby and restaurant was still ongoing renovations. The location isn't very handy for the first time traveller either.
From the other 2 you said you cant afford the Lancaster, so the hotel is out. The Castille is good but is very discreet, if you know what i mean-.It's tucked away in a quiet and narrow street off Place Vendome, just where the Chanel boutique is. The lobby is nice-if a bit small- and the staff is very good and kind. The hotel was also renovated this year and it has the best location of the 3. The rooms are decorated in 2 styles: Italian and French and some of them overlook the lovely garden with the fresco and the fountain. The restaurant Il Cortile which i think it's inspired by Alain Ducasse- has a michelin star and overlooks the italian patio.
I think that if you dont want to exceed your budget the Castille is a good choice, not quite good as the Lancaster, though. Check also the Raphael near place d'Etoile at the same money as the Royal Monceau.

greece

By the way, what room type and what prices you have been quoted at the 3 hotels you have selected?

m_kingdom2

" like the exterior of the Connaught but the rooms are not that exciting. Kind of boring if you ask me. I like the Ritz and the Four Seasons and those type of properties but do not have the $$$$ to afford them. So, since I like hotels like that, what would be a good alternative for me?"

All the best hotels in London have traditionally styled rooms. And why? Because they were all developed around the same period and as such would look very strange with anything but. The Connaught has a feel of a smaller property, more intimate, cosy even. However, it doesn't have the vast public areas that say Claridge's does...but then you're not paying those sort of prices.

You want to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, and that can't be done. It's rather like someone buying a pair of H&M jeans for 30GBP and expecting them to be like Dior Homme ones that cost 330GBP. It can't be done. But, The Connaught is a very good alternative as it's under the same ownership as Claridge's, has a couple of excellent restaurants, and perhaps an even better location (quieter).

mercer_girl

It seems you have settled on a hotel in Paris, but since several people have brought it up I thought I would let you know that the website for the apartment featured in the Paris episode of Samantha Brown's Passport to Europe is

http://www.timeandplace.com/locations/paris/

The apartment actually featured in the episode is a one bedroom penthouse in the Latin Quarter, but there are others on the site that might be more appropriate for your purposes.

Tulips

Thank you mercer girl; what beautiful apartments. I will keep this for a future trip.

sandykins

The Hotel Lutétia in Paris is a four-star hotel (highest hotel rating in Paris) on the Left Bank, and it's the only one I ever choose when money is no object. It's elegant and classy and beautiful and well-situated. Quintessentially Rive Gauche.

Weadles

I guess you've already chosen a hotel for Paris, but I can enthusiastically recommend ( again) Relais Christine. We just stayed there last week, and it is a lovely, small hotel (former monastery) with tons of Parisian charm. We also love the location- just off Rue Dauphine- within about a 15 min walk of the Louvre, 20 min to Musee D'Orsay, maybe 10 min to Notre Dame, and literally almost around the corner from the Latin Quarter.

The only downside I can think of is that the rooms can be fairly small depending on category booked, but this is typical of Paris.


Also, if you're interested, Relais Christine's sister property, Pavillion de la Reine, is very charming and beautiful, too. Similar problem possible with size of the rooms, but it's located pretty much on the Place des Vosges, which is a wonderful location for exploring the Marais.

Good luck, and have a great time in Paris!