We would like to stay in a central location near museums, cafes, and restaurants. 350EUR max per night would be good. A neighborhood with character, not so much business-like.

Also, is a river cruise a good thing?

Hi Brand-
My parents (dp) and inlaws (di) love to stay at the Westend Hotel in the 8th.
It's in your price range. They say it's charming, the rate includes breakfast, and the service is supposed to be great.
I have not been there but they are pretty picky about where they stay.

A ride on the Seine is fine - just don;t do one with any food.

Try to do the river cruise at twilight when the lights are coming on.

I'm sorry I don't know any hotels because that is out of my price range, but depending on the length of your trip you might also want to consider renting an apartment. Many have a one week minimum stay, although there are places that rent by the night. If you did a search here or on the slowtravel boards I'm sure you would find something really, really nice for 350 euro a night.

I know I have a preference for staying in apartments but sometimes people prefer the ammenities of a hotel, especially for a first trip.

Some popular neighborhoods with tourists are the Ile de St Louis, the Latin Quarter, St Germain des Pres, the Marais, and increasingly the Bastille area.

I don't think you'll have any trouble at all finding something really nice and well located within your budget.

We didn't take a Seine river cruise until the 3rd or 4th time we were in Paris - we always thought they were too "touristy", but you know what, it was wonderful. It's a completely different perspective on the city, you get to see all the bridges up close, etc. We went on one that had hand-held audio guides in various languages (as opposed to a human being). I would skip the food, too -- there are too many good places to eat in Paris, and just make it part of one of your days of sightseeing. You don't need a reservation, there are a lot to choose from.

You might like The Madison. It is on Blvd St Germain directly across from the Metro stop and deux Maggots. Walking distance to the D'Orsay, Notre Dame and the Louvre

Sorry meant to post the link

http://www.hotel-madison.com/e/rates/

Hi Br,

350E/nite is outside my wage grade.

These have been reported by others as good places in or near that price:

Hotel Pavillon de la Reine
Hotel Relais Christine
Hotel Plaza Athenee

Would you be interested in hotels in the 250E range?

PS,
Check out www.batobus.com for Seine cruising. It is a hop on/off water bus.

The one river cruise I like is the Vedettes du Pont Neuf. They are located at the Western tip of Ile de la Cite. They have smaller boats than those near Place D'Alma, further west.

Location is good. You can tour the Notre Dame and Left Bank area, have dinner then stroll over to the boats. In my opinion, cruises at night are better since the buildings and bridges are lit up, and so is the Eiffel tower.

The park (Square du Vert Galant) where the boats are located is also very nice, with good views of Seine, Louvre,etc..

Their website gives you a discount coupon.

I'd also skip any meal cruises. What reviews I've read have not found it to be good value. But..I might consider it for the atmosphere of being in Paris and just enjoying the view.

I've read stories here of people who
have bought bottles of wine and
snacks on-board.

Some links...

http://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com/

http://www.bateaux-mouches.fr/

http://www.bateauxparisiens.com/EN/b...-seine-uk.html


You could also combine a cruise along with a tour, dinner at Eiffel tower,etc... Two of the bigger tour companies with combo packages are Cityrama and Parisvision


http://www.pariscityrama.com/

http://en.parisvision.com/

Hotel area that I like is on Ile St Louis. Location is superb, 5 minute walk to Notre Dame, Left Bank, Right Bank. On island, so you have Seine and its views right there. Also some nice shops and restaurants on island, and many easy walk away. Often concerts at church on the island

No Metro on island, but there are stops just across river on either Bank, as well as on Ile de la Cite. The RER to the Airport is also a 10 min walk away. Quieter at night since traffic is almost only cross river.

It has a neighbourhood feel to it.

Some hotels:

www.jeudepaumehotel.com/hotel-romantique-paris/

www.paris-hotel-lutece.com/

www.deuxiles-paris-hotel.com/

I stayed at the Deux Iles 2 years ago and liked both the hotel and the location on the Ile St.Louis. But I am not sure that the hotel would satisfy someone looking for a place in the 350E per night range.

The Plaza Athenee costs a lot more than 350 Euro per night! And I would be surprised if one can get a decent room at Pavillon de la Reine for that price.

More charm than "luxe"

The Plaza Athenee is a luxury hotel and is around 700 euro a night for a standard room, I believe. 350 euro is not luxury hotel payment level. The Relais Christine and Pavillon are not quite in that category, but you can't get them for 350 euro. Maybe 375.

I think a lower-level hotel where you can get a superior or deluxe room for that price would be a better idea. I'd suggest the Luxembourg Parc hotel as it is around 300 euro for a standard, and you can go superior for that level. It's a 4* hotel near Luxembourg Gardens, which is very central and not business-y.

sorry, URL for that suggestion

http://www.luxembourg-paris-hotel.com/

brandon

we're longtime fans of the "island"..stayed at both Lutece and Deux Iles, as have our kids...they are "sister" hotels...and both are much more than just adequate. The other attributes you're looking for are all available within or steps away.

Save some of that $400+ per night and for about $250 you've got either of these Ile St. Louis hotels...I'll never tell your friends back home.

Enjoy Paris...you will, whatever your decision.

Stu T.

I posted these boutique hotel urls on your other thread:

www.relais-saint-germain.com

www.hotelabbayeparis.com

www.relais-christine.com

I have stayed at the Relais St. Germain--love the location. The rooms were getting a bit threadbare but last time I was in Paris I noticied the facade had been completely renewed. Don't know about inside. The owners run the adjoining tiny Comptoir restaurant which has long lines to get in. Hotel guests get priority.

Good friends rave about L'Abbaye and go back year after year.

Relais Christine is just over your budget but you could ask for specials or try for a discount based on number of days.

Batobus is a fast and fun way to take a river cruise--about 12 euros for a hop on/hop off all day ticket. It stops at many of the main sites along the Seine and can be boarded at any stop.

Cath, my sister has stay at L'Abbaye and LOVED IT! It is in a fabulous neighborhood.

Thin