Hi! Could you please give me your opinion on any of these hotels? I've heard mixed reviews on some (which is probably normal) but I'd like some more info if possible. <BR> <BR>Paris - Relais Christine Hotel Regina <BR> <BR>Prague: Esplanda Praha, <BR> Grand Hotel Bohemia <BR> Hoffmeister <BR> Palace Praha <BR> Savoy <BR> <BR>Thanks for the help! <BR>

Regina <BR>Right bank, outstanding location, walk to the Louvre, shopping, etc <BR>However look out for too many tourist-trap restaurants in the 1st, especially on rue de Rivoli. The right bank, at least in the first doesn't have as good a selection of moderately-priced and inexpensive as the 6th where <BR>Relais Christine is. However, I happen to enjoy staying in the first because for me the location is the most convenient for sightseeing. When you book at the Regina ask for a renovated room and/or inspect the room before you accept it. The lobby is old-world grand but the rooms vary--some were looking threadbare when I stayed there in fall 99. <BR>Haven't stayed at the Relais Christine but last month I stayed just down the street from there at the d'Aubusson, so I can tell you that the neighborhood is charming. Short walk to the left bank <BR>end of Pont Neuf. Very close to the market on rue de Buci where you can buy anything from cheese to a roasted chicken if you want to picnic in your room or elsewhere.(But pack your own <BR>paper plates and utensils). <BR>

I have stayed at Relais Christine and it is a great location (left bank) - comfortable but you may be surprised what you get for what you paid. It is what is called a "hotel du charme" - mix of marble bathrooms with antiques - but not much more modern amenities. Also has room service breakfast ($20.00 per person for coffee and croissants which sort of gives you an idea of what it is about). I usually stay at Hotel de l'Universite on street of same name which is also well located, has same sense of "charme" but a lot less expensive....Hope this helps

Hi jacqueline--can't help but I would also be interested in anyone's recs/experiences with those hotels you mentioned for Prague as we are going there in april 2001. I will check back here later for replies--thanks!

After reviewing lots of your messages I have narrowed down the Paris hotel choices to <BR> <BR>Hotel d'Aubusson <BR>Hotel Lutetia <BR>Le Regent <BR>Le Vendome <BR>Relais St Germain <BR> <BR>Any thoughts? <BR> <BR>Thanks

Le Regent has been much-praised on this forum (you can do a search here) and in other places. I can vouch for its wonderful location as it was just down the street from where I stayed last month at the d'Aubusson. That puts it <BR>just a few blocks from the left bank end of Pont Neuf. Beautifully decorated, as if it had been redone last week. 5-8 minute walk to either St Michel or Odeon metro stop. 15-20 minute walk to Notre Dame. Provides hair dryers, robes, and amenities like shampoo. They also offer for sale the carte musee (museum pass) with no additional mark-up on the prices. Rooms facing rue Dauphine do get some street noise from traffic or horns, but not terrible. <BR>Hotel neighborhood charming, many shops and boutiques with fine goods. <BR>Also, nearby rue Buci has many places to buy provisions for a picnic, stores selling fruits, cheeses, breads, wine, even roasted chickens. You'll need your own paper plates, utensils, napkins, and cork screw. <BR>

For the Prague Hotels, check nethotels.com and www.avetravel.cz You get descriptions, maps and some pictures.

Elaine- I guess you stayed in a different class of room than I did at the Le Regent last August. I didn't see any bathrobes and they were working on the air conditioning half the time while I was there. I also must warn that the elevator does not go to the first floor- you must carry your luggage up (and down)one flight of stairs. So beware heavy luggage. <BR> That said, the location is absolutely perfect. In addition to easy acess to most sights of interest via foot or easy bus (right outside of the door) or Metro (2 blocks away) connections,the Seine is only 3 blocks away. There is a Supermarket 1 block away. Bakeries, bistros, and resturants are all over the place,laundromat 2 blocks away, and a computer store where you can access E-mail 3 blocks away. Since I don't spend much time in the room, I would not hesitate to stay there again since the location is so good. <BR>Ken horn <BR>

Ken, you misunderstood I'm afraid--I stayed at the d'Aubusson

We were at the Aubusson in September, 2000. All I can say is that we absolutely LOVED it and the next time we go to Paris, instead of spending hours researching a good hotel, will stay there. The location can't be beat either and we never took public transportation, we walked everywhere.