The last time we were in Europe was on our 20th anniversary, when we stayed in Rome and in a small town in Tuscany. In the latter, the townspeople would smile and greet you wherever you went, which we didn't expect or experience in the city. The difference in the pace of life was as stark as the difference in environment. So I guess what I was looking for was not so much geographic, as Nikki suggested, but cultural. At any rate, after looking over the links that ira provided, I can see what you mean when you say there is more than enough to keep us busy in the two cities!

We're looking at hotels that are in a convenient location for the popular tourist sites that are under $400 a night, and preferably contemporary in style and also with a fitness facility. Has anyone stayed at the Plaza Tour Eiffel or the Hotel des Academies et Arts? Or are there any other recommendations?

Also, has anyone tried Joel Robechon or Alain Ducasse's restaurant, Dong Huong or Astrance? Thanks!

Nancy,

I don't think either hotel is VERY central (especially for a first timer). Have you considered any hotels in the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th arrondissements?

That said, the Hotel des Academies et des Arts is the better location of the two you listed (it's in Montparnasse - a pretty neat neighborhood.).

Some alternates to consider all are Fodor's recommended. All very central with varying price ranges:

Hôtel des Jardins du Luxembourg
Hôtel Grandes Écoles
Hôtel Henri IV
Les Degrés de Notre Dame
Hôtel Bonaparte
Hôtel d'Aubusson
Hôtel de l'Abbaye
Hôtel Relais Saint-Sulpice
Hôtel Verneuil
Hôtel Millésime

<No. You can visit Paris, or you can visit France. The French recognize that.

Is London really the UK? Not as different as Paris is from "France Profond", but it is different>

i'd venture to say that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are much more different than London than France Profond is from Paris

As another slant on this, and similar to Flanneruk's comment, you have central Paris and London and then you have the areas that are not on the tourist map. In Paris, I've stayed twice in the 16th arrondissement. Not a lot of tourists to be found due to less of the "guidebook sights" to see (Marmottan would be on the list).

So staying there I get to see a bit more of how local life is lived,at a different pace, versus walking and staying on/near boulevard St Germain or rue Rivoli. Both have their appeal, but it rounds out the impression of what Paris is like (though the 16th may be more upscale than some other non-central locations). My last trip involved reading paper and having breakfast at "my" local cafe, going to see a movie nearby, and wandering streets in area, finding local restaurant, shopping at Monoprix,etc. Not recommended guidebook activities

Leaving the city to go to another tourist site will change the scenery, but not sure it will give you much broader feel for the country. Go to where the tour buses don't.