I noticed a pretty good hotel in the Opera quarter, but I've never been to Paris before, and it will just be two young females in our party.<BR><BR>How is this area at night? The street of the hotel is 15 rue de Constantinople - is this the northern part of the Opera Quarter?<BR><BR>

I stayed in the Opera quarter and found it pretty subdued and safe in the evening. I don't know the particular street you mention, but I stayed at the Hotel Opera, which is part of the Best Western consortium.

no, that's not the Opera Quarter, it's called quartier de l'Europe, that's behind the St Lazare train station near Batignolles area. I wouldn't advise you stay there, particularly 2 young females alone who haven't been to Paris. It's somewhat far out, uninteresting to dicey in parts, I just wouldn't think that would be a good choice for you when there are so many others in better areas. I don't think you are going to want to be around there at night. I have heard the New Orient hotel is a good value and nice budget hotel in that area if you must, that's the only one I've heard of. I don't think you'd be glad you stayed in that area.

Thanks Christina, <BR><BR>I'm glad someone told me that - whew! I was planning on staying at Hotel du Bois near Champs Elysees, but it had no A/C, and I was concerned about the noise and the heat during the ending of May.<BR><BR>What about La Gallerie located at 16, rue de la P&eacute;pini&egrave;re? Anyone familar with this area?

You are still near the Gare St-Lazare but in a very nice location, close to Blvd. Haussmann. There are many attractions within walking distance and we happen to spend a lot of time there. The correct name is Hotel le Galerie.<BR>

Paris is typically cool at the end of May, so AC probably will not be necessary.

If you want a hotel with AC near the Arc/Champs, why don't you look at the Hotel Kleber: http://www.123france.com/europe/fran...s/hoklebus.htm or http://www.kleberhotel.com<BR>It's a great location, now has AC, reasonable rates for that level of hotel in that area and I've read at least one good review of it (in Cheap Sleeps, one I trust). They also have very good promotions in winter/summer.<BR>Here's another nice 3-star hotel but with AC in the 8th, a better area than the one you were considering: http://www.elysees-ceramic.com/