Yes I know there's the Grand Hotel Leveque in the Rue Cler – but I've stayed there in 2001 and was wondering if anybody knew of an equivalent hotel with the above amenities, but preferably located in the St. Germaine region/6th Arr. or otherwise someplace interesting near the Seine (I've only been to Paris that one time but we're going back this May) I know, tall order... Thanks!

Here are a couple, according to the facilities and accomodations sections:

Hotel Albert 1er Dbl 112-116€
http://www.parisby.com/albert1/pages/profile.htm

Hotel Royal St Germain Dbl 175-198€
http://www.parisby.com/royalstgermai...s/faciliti.htm

I don't know any in that price range, but I imagine some of the Best Westerns etc might have an ice machine (which is really the odd criteria, I think, the others not so much) and there are some in St Germain. However, they won't be around 100 euro probably, and ST Germain in general is more expensive than the 7th, so it's not a fair comparison, if you want the same price. The Grand Leveque doesn't turn the AC on in May, anyway, so that's like not having AC.

I wouldn't worry about AC in May myself, but the Hotel Europe St Severin does have what you want in a good location near the Seine
http://www.hotel-paris-severin.com/E.../TheHotel3.htm

The Hotel des Grands Hommes has AC and ice, also. It's a 3* though and I've sure no 100 euro (the Europe St Severin is a 2* but not super-cheap, either).

I'm not positive about the AC, I think I've read some places the Europe St Severin does have it, but the web site isn't clear, so you might ask--but I suspect many hotels won't turn it on in May, anyway.

YOu didn't state your budget, but I don't think you'll get a hotel at 100 euro in St Germain with AC, but you didn't before, either.

THANKS both of you for your great information which I'll certainly check out.

And Christina, re the ice, having traveled in Europe before I know how stingy they are about doling it out. For better or worse we Americans love our ice! Paris is the last stop on our 3-week trip and I just know I'll be dying for a nice cold, ice-laden Coke or similar by then! That's why I ask. Re the A/C, when we visit Paris in early June it will be 4 years ago to almost the exact day of our last visit and at that time Paris temperatures were in the upper 70's; also I recall the recent heat wave there that killed many people. So ultimately if I don't need it, fine, but if there IS a need, then I think it prudent to hedge my bets and get a room with A/C.

Now an odd request might be a pool, considering we're there to see all that is Europe and not paddle around in swimming pools -- ER, but if you do KNOW of a place..... hehehe!

If the reason you want ice is so you can enjoy a very cold soda, you don't need to limit your hotel choices so stringently. Just go to a McDonalds, Pizza Hut, the Flunch cafeteria and such to get a soda with ice.

There are hotels with pools in the Paris vicinity, but not likely at the price range you're indicating (a la Leveque).

A/C and a lift are not that difficult to find.

Travelnut -- that's really thinking out of the box, and I appreciate it. However I've read that they're still fairly stingy at European McDonalds restaurants et al. too, or that they ration out only 3-4 ice cubes per coke. That's anemic! No, I want to BATHE in a bucket of ice, y'know? But the earlier suggested hotels were good and of course I can search myself. There must be wha-- 10 or 20 hotels in this "Paris" place, right? ha ha [where's the tongue 'n cheek emoticon?]

OK, I'm threatening to start a thread with the subject line: "Portable Travel Icemaker Size -- Carry-On or Steamer Trunk?"

Good luck in your search mbresso. I have to differ with you on the ice issue though.We're Americans and neither my husband nor I use any ice if the drink is already chilled. I do think it is unusual that it would be important enough to you to choose your hotel based on the availability of an ice machine. To each their own though, and who knows, perhaps countless searchers after you will be grateful you posted this question.

More hotels with <b>ice machine and A/C</b>:
(one should confirm with hotel)

Europe Saint Severin
Hotel services: elevator, parking, bar, accessible rooms, porter, <b>ice machine</b>. Room features: satellite TV, phone, modem, mini bar/fridge, safe, hair dryer, <b>air conditioning</b>, some balconies. Address: 38-40 Rue St-Severin, 5th Arrondissement. Metro: Cluny/la Sorbonne. Internet: <u>www.hotel-paris-severin.com</u>. Phone: 011-33-1-46-34-05-70.

Best Western Lorette Opera
36, Rue Notre Dame De Lorette, Paris, France, 75009
&quot;You will appreciate the delicate combination of elegance and trendy decoration of this fully air-conditioned hotel....Ice/vending machines&quot;
<u>http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=93531</u> Phone: 33 1 42 85 18 81 Fax: 33 1 42 81 32 19

Jardin De L'odeon
7 Rue Casimir Delavigne 75006
<u>http://www.france-hotels-discount.com/jardin_de_lodeon_hotel_paris.html</u>
<u>http://www.paris-hotel-jardinodeon.com</u>

I stayed a couple of doors down from the Jardin de l'Odeon last week. Location is excellent, but the hotel gets mixed reviews at wwww.tripadvisor.com
Apparently not all rooms are/were air conditioned.

Mbresso,
Order a bottle of reasonable white wine, or champagne if it fits your budget. Tell them that you want an ice bucket filled with ice, and send it back for more ice if it is not. Easy.Tell them that you want to see the wine first, and to bring it separate from the ice bucket/ice. It works for me. Of course it costs you. Accept the fact that things are different in
France. Isn't that why we go there?

The only hotel in Paris I've stayed at with an ice machine was the Grand Hotel des Balcons (and, believe me, it made an impression--I'm like you). It was off the lobby. However, I don't think it has A/C.

www.paris-hotel-grandbalcons.com/index.html

What I did at Le Clement, which had a little bar, was ask for a bucket of ice and tip the guy a euro. It does have A/C, but I wasn't there in a/c season, so I don't know how efficient. It's in a great location, too, St. Germain. You can find it on the same site. (I found the streetside double a lot nicer than the rooms look on that site.)

www.parishotels.com

Last year I stayed at the Le Meridien Montparnasse which I obtained through Priceline at a relatively reasonable price. It did have elevators, very good A/C, and an ice machine on my floor (and it was a non-smoking floor too). I never use ice at home. But when I was in Paris, I came back to my hotel room one afternoon, cranked up the A/C, walked out to the ice machine, poured myself some bottled water, and just enjoyed the absolute chill. Although the heat in Paris was pretty moderate last July compared to some years, I found the humidity was such that I absolutely welcomed ice and A/C.

That said, I doubt I would need the same in May - but I guess it can get unseasonably hot and might be humid then too.

Try the hotel Saint Paul, in the 6th...I'm sure they have a elevator, A/C...and also minibar in the room...
http://www.h-saintpaul.com

Re: ice in France. Where in America can I find good croissants or a good local cheese? Snails? Decent baguettes, for god's sake! Good local sausages? Fresh herbs?

OK, I know some of these things are available in big cities. But why travel if you want everything everywhere to be the same as at home?

There's nothing wrong with wanting some or all of the comforts of home while traveling. To name just a few, most people want modern plumbing, hot water, soap, and toothpaste - just like home. So why not ice?

Hi mb,

If the hotel lacks an ice machine, you might try asking for some ice at the desk.

Anyone remember TW3?

Ic ed water, pi ped music.....