First of all, I want to thank all of you who went out of their way to get me the address of the Mariashouse. Second I want to thank Averyjade who went above and beyond the mission to help me. She took flack from some of us because she private messaged me about her stay at the Maraishouse. I want to explain why she did that. Obviously I was distressed about my inability to find an address. The review on TripAdvisor also had me a nervous wreak. The fact he said the place was dusty didn't concern me because I would take along my handy dandy travel pack of pledge wipes, nor did the fact he said the elevator was broke - you just walk the steps. But, the fact he was thrown out on the street when he voiced his complaints did, and the fact he said there was a cigarette butt on the floor also had me concerned because I can't stand lying in bed and smelling cigarette smoke. Averyjade assured me the place was clean, but did give me some information about the owner, which information helped greatly without raising my level of distress. She waited until I returned to ask what I thought and then confirmed my statements. Thank you Averyjade. Following is my opinion of the Mariashouse. The location is excellent; it is a short walk from the RER station - Chatelet/Les Halles. Thus you can go straight from the airport to the RER stop and walk to the Maraishouse with little effort. The place is gorgeous. The interior decorator and the owner obviously love the use of color and whimsy. It is beautiful. The room was spacious and the bathroom had both a tub and shower. The room had a king size bed, loveseat, three dressers, and various end tables, with room to spare. It also had a small refigerator. There was no television or radio. It was not dark; two large windows looked out over the street. The breakfast area is made completely of stone - walls, ceiling and floor; it's very unique. You have your own code to go in and out. There is an elevator, but it did not work properly, so we walked up and down the steps most of the time. This is not a place for a person in a wheelchair. The room was heated by a gas fireplace, so it was very cold when you initally enter. Again, this is not a place for someone who is chilled easily. I'm in that lovely (I say this with jest) period of my life when my internal furnace is uncontrolled, so the cold was a blessing. The owner is different. I believe this is not a place for some travellers. I have a friend who does not own an iron; she would not feel comfortable here. If you like polyester shorts and tank tops, then you should stay elsewhere. The owner obviously is very well educated and comes from money. This is apparent from his demeanor. I don't doubt that he can make you feel very uncomfortable, if he would chose to do so. If you were a woman by yourself, this would be a nice place in that it is well secured and in a nice area. I did not see a sauna or an exercise room. There was not wifi throughout the house as stated. The Nicholas Flamel restaurant was a few steps away. This restaurant was excellent. We had the tasting menu with the selected wines; both of us were in heaven. The lamb was the best we have ever eaten. Both my husband and I commented on it. About a five minute walk from the Mariashouse is a tavern called Halls Beer Tavern. It is a local hangout with food and great beers. We went here everynight for drinks. One night we talked to an Irish man who was living in Paris. He said they made the best Irish coffee in Paris. I know the beers were great. The menu contained daily specials at reasonable prices and the place was packed with locals. The Marais area is beautiful with little streets and shops. It is an easy metro ride to the Louve, Eiffle Tower or Arc de Triumph. The tourist buses pick you up at Notre Dame cathedral which is about a ten minute walk from the Mariashouse. Would I stay at the Mariashouse again? Probably not. But I did enjoy the visit.

Welcome back! Glad you had a great time -- don't you just love that neighborhood?

Here's a link to the thread discussing the maraishouse, including averyjade's reticent, rather subtle review:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2

sorry, here's the correct link:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34767187

I have to say. Both my husband and I commented on the fact that we both believe Paris is magical. Venice held the special place in my heart for my favorite foreign city. I still find it special and intend to return this summer. But Paris is unique. The city takes on a completely different feel at night. It becomes a different city. Not once (other than at the airport) did anyone act rudely toward us. We like to drink and people watch. Every time, someone began talking to us, asking how we liked Paris; how were things back in the States; what did we see and where else to go. At one of the cafes, I had two drinks. My husband smokes cigars and needed a cigar. He went inside and they found him two cigars. When they presented the check, the waiter told me the cigars were 10 Euros. I thought that was in addition to the check for the drinks and the snacks. I left the money, I thought was correct. The waiter brought out my money and told me the cigars were already added in - he gave me back my 10 Euros. I would never have known the difference. The Marias area is very very nice. I would stay in the area again. It really feels like you are in a neighborhood, which of course you are. Very busy at night with the people walking to cafes and shops. We saw lots of police walking along the streets. People treated us how we would want to treat a visitor to our neigborhood. All in all, both my husband and I had a great time, and would go back to see things which are not such tourist draws. Thanks fishee for the welcome back.

Below is the most recent review from Tripadvisor of the Marais House. I find it a bit contrived - possible to offset the negative first review.

My wife and I spent two nights at the Marais House at the end of October. What a wonderful place!

The owner, Yann Gabriel Hentschke, was most gracious and treated us to tea and good conversation upon our arrival. In fact even joined us on an excusion to a discount fabric sales area in Paris -- a good thing as we would have had trouble finding it on our own.

The room was Studio. On our later tour of the other rooms we found Studio to be the smallest of the lot, but still larger than any other hotel room we have had in Paris. It was comfortable, the bed was great and it as a very good shower. This room like all of the rooms at Marais House is extremely well appointed and offers the upmost in luxury. There was WiFi available so I was able to connect to the internet from my room and the lounge area.

Breakfast was a typical French breakfast of rolls and juice but of excellent quality.

We found Mr. Hentschke to be a most gracious host and our stay at Marais House was all we had expected and more. I would certainly recommend it to anyone looking for unique and beautiful accomodations in Paris. If you need a corporate hotel, stay at the Hilton, but if you want real luxury at a reasonable price, Marais House is the place to stay.

No need for anyone to get flack for emailing someone. All the reviews I read about the Maraishouse have stated that the location is only given after booking. Thanks for getting to back to us. I love the Marais and want to stay there again.