Paris
 

Planning a trip to Paris in May, looking for 4-5 star hotel recommendations. Left bank, Right Bank?....suggestions welcomed.
Leaving out of Boston, suggestions on airlines to fly in business class.

Class doesn't tell us anything - what is your actual budget?

Meant to say Star level doesn't tell us anything . . .

$750 to $1000 per night

You can start your research here:

http://www.fivestaralliance.com/luxu...e/france/paris

Hi folks,
Not looking for a travel agent, just looking for some helpful reviews and ideas of accommodations for those of you who have traveled to Paris. I can lookup the website of such accommodations to see if it is within my budget.....just want some good "inside" help.
Thanks

Most of us tend to manage on a tad less... ( you do realize to many of us that would pay for 3-6 nights in a hotel.. lol ) So you may not get a lot of feedback based on direct experience here.

Have you looked up any hotels on tripadvisor.com it will have reviews posted by people who have actually stayed at those hotels.. same with some booking engines like hotels.com or booking.com etc.


For inside tips I will give you this.. staying in a nice central location is more fun. I find the Champs Elysees area boring, and the area around the ET is mostly residential and there fore tad boring.. for most first time visitors they enjoy staying in the 4th, 5th , or 6th arrondissements.( aka the Marais, Latin Quarter, St Germain)

Google luxury hotels in St Germain for example, then google for reviews..

Once you have narrowed it down to 2-3 choices come back here and folks can at least comment on the area the hotel is in.. in terms of how close it is to attractions, traffic noise, cafes/restos and metro lines.

We loved the Georges V for a recent special visit. Redone not very long ago - still mostly traditional in style - incredible service and luxury. We had complimentary champagne and an exquisite fruit basket when we arrived.

But we booked a special through my DH's corporate travel agent so can't comment on rates for the general public.

>>you do realize to many of us that would pay for 3-6 nights in a hotel..<< . . . or a whole week in an apartment :)

I can't help since the only paris '5 star' I've ever stayed in (not on my dime) was the Ritz -- but is isn't open currently, being totally refurbished.

I would definitely look at Georges V.

I haven't stayed at the George V but have had drinks there several times over the years. The public rooms are fabulous.

In your price range, you can stay at places ranging from the InterContinental Le Grand (about $500) to the Lancaster (about $700) to Le Meurice (about $1000).

If you can swing Le Meurice, it's my favorite hotel in Paris, and if you use a Diamond Club TA, you'll get an automatic upgrade at booking, full breakfast for two daily, 100 EUR hotel credit (that can come off the bill, if you like), and free internet.

Contrary to popular opinion on Fodors, connected TA's can save you money with amenities from consortia like Virtuoso. Here are the 15 Virtuoso hotels in Paris and the money saving amenities you can get: http://tinyurl.com/l4bl3uz

travelhorizons: I know you frequently recommend Virtuoso - but since you are one -- that is sort of dirty pool IMO.

I was also going to suggest Le Meurice, but it will be out of your budget range in high season. So it depends on when you're going... And I second travelhorizons' comment about TAs and their access to things like automatic upgrades.

One thing to consider while you're searching your options... Would you rather be in the lowest category room in a high-end hotel or the highest category room in a slightly more modest property?

A friend recently recommended to me the Hotel Francois 1er. Their highest category (suite) is within your budget range, and the property looks very nice. Near Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe.

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

janissj are about 7,000 Virtuosos - I'm just one. I'm making a generic recommendation for the best value you can generally find if you stay in luxury hotels.

These are good values, IMHO. Free daily breakfasts for two, upgrades, and other perks that can be worth $100 or more.

You can also get similar values by getting an American Express Platinum card (costs $450 a year) and booking through Fine Hotels & Resorts.

If you've got something similar or better to recommend, tell us!

Relais St. Germain-Great Hotel and Restaurant but less than your budget. Is that ok?

Thanks all for some great suggestions...I do have an AMEX Platinum Card and haven't used there travel services, always thought it would be on the higher end with limited choices. If those of you out there had success with AMEX please share your experience. I will explore this option as well. I think this is a great site to hear feedback from "experienced" travelers and appreciate all your insight.
Thank you all, keep the ideas and suggestions coming.
Chris

For the Platinum card, phone American Express Concierge and click the prompts for "Fine Hotels and Resorts." When you book at the FHR rate, you'll get a standardized set of amenities: continental breakfast for two daily, upgrade at the time of check-in, an extra amenity specific to the property, and 4 p.m. late check-out.

Same rate you'd normally pay.