Need opinions on Paris Hotels
 

I need advice on two things:

1) My husband will be running in the Paris Marathon in April. The race is early in the morning on a Sunday and starts at the Arc de Triomphe (sp?). Should we pick a hotel that is close by, based on where the marathon is or should we just choose an area we like regardless of where the marathon is? This is our first time in Paris and we will be there four days before the marathon for sightseeing.

2) I've been researching some hotels and have come up with the following. Anyone have feedback on these hotels or can suggest others? We're willing to spend up to 250 Euros.. a little more if it's really spectacular. And since we're in our early 30's, we would like to be in a good location with shops, cafes/restaurants.. things nearby and close to a metro stop.

--Luxembourg Parc
--Hotel Fleurie
--Villa d'Estrees

Thanks for your help.

Hi lava,

I would just pick a nice hotel.

However, if you have to take the Metro back to your hotel after running a marathon, you might want to consider a hotel close to the end of the race.

Best of luck.

((I))

I would pick a place convenient for sightseeing/metro/shops/cafes/etc. since that's what you'll be doing for 4 days prior to the race.

The three hotels you listed are all great locations for these things. Villa d'Estrees more so than the other two - but a very busy area as it's right on Place St. Michel. The other two are still VERY central but should be quieter if that's what you want.

You can't go wrong with any of the three.

We liked the Hotel la Bourdonnais, in the 7th, with a view of the Eiffel Tower from our little balcony in quad room 503. Click on my screen name above for my trip report of London-Paris-Amsterdam, with specifics about the hotel and some restaurants we liked. Enjoy Paris!

We were in Paris for the marathon last year (watching, not running). We stayed in the Marais, which is not only a good location for the marathon (which comes straight down the rue de Rivoli/rue St. Antoine), but has a lot to offer--restaurants, clubs, shopping, sights.

Some hotels worth checking out in the neighborhood include the Caron de Beaumarchais, Hotel St. Merry, Hotel St. Paul. If you're in the mood for a splurge, try the Pavilion de la Reine on the Place des Vosges.

That said, I fell in love with the Hotel Luxembourg Parc on our last trip (just from the outside) and am definitely going to try to stay there on our next visit.

yes you'd better stay in a hotel well-located for sightseeing and fro going out by night. Latin Quarter and Marais are very good areas to stay for first timers in Paris. Moreover, Paris has a very good metro system so it is easy and quick to go from one point to another.
Maybe have a look at Hotel Saint Merry as it is advised before, it is a nice hotel in le Marais, very clean, very well located, nice staff...
http://www.hotel-saintmerry.com
Have nice trip in Paris and good luck for Marathon!

Thank you everyone for your replies and opinion. It seems the consensus is to just pick a hotel in a nice location. So, that's what we'll do!

The frontrunner right now is Luxembourg Parc.. since I think it's a little more upscale compared to the other two. Is that right?

Can anyone describe the area around Luxembourg Parc? What's around the hotel?

Elle-- you mentioned you had seen it from the outside.. why did you like it so much?

Did you know there is a map on their websight??

http://www.luxembourg-paris-hotel.com/English/Map.html

It is close to the restaurants, cafes and designer shops just north of St. Suplice. There is a DO NOT MISS pastry shop at the NW corner of Place St. Sulpice on Rue Bonaparte (Pierre Herme).

Here is a walk of the neighborhood posted by a regular here back in 2003:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34454443

It was just gorgeous from the outside--the way it was set back from the street, the vines and flowers tumbling from the flowerboxes. It has a romantic air that appealed to me.

As soon as we came back, I checked it out on Trip Advisor and looked at the rooms on the web site. It seems like a gem--well located, beautifully appointed, and a decent price.

bardo1-- Yes, I did check out the map on their website, which shows the location and the proximity to St. Sulpice, but it didn't tell me about cafes/restaurants/shops, etc. So, your suggestion on that pastry shop will definitely be on my list!

Also, that 2003 thread that you posted for me will also be very helpful. Thank you!

Elle-- thanks for your response. I love your description of the hotel! I think I would be intrigued, as well. ;)