Hi Folks,<BR><BR>We are planning a trip to Paris next May.<BR><BR>After going thru many threads on this forum<BR>and the popular travel websites, we still can't decide on the hotels - unlike other cities, for Paris, different websites have very different opinions <BR><BR>We would like a high-3 or 4-star hotel from where we can walk to main tourist spots in the day and also feel safe walking to restaurants in the evenings. We prefer being in the middle of lively areas (as long as they are safe and the rooms are quiet) over quiet seclusion. A view would be a bonus.<BR>We would like to stay under $350/night. <BR><BR>Any tips on your favorites?<BR><BR>thanks,<BR>premal

please be aware that commercial messages are strictly prohibited under the rules of this forum. the first person who replied to this inquiry knows of and continues to ignore this rule repeatedly. buy or take advice from her at your own considerable risk. i would not do business with any entity she touted, as i could not trust any recommendation of such a source.<BR> nevertheless, there are numerous wonderful hotels in the 3 and 4* categories that are centrally located for $350 and under per night. in fact, that price would buy you a standard room at the best hotels in paris.<BR> you may want to focus on hotels in the 1st, 4th,(the 5th i would not walk thru at night, though hardly infested with street crime) 6th, 7th and 8th arrondissements. all are on or near the river and within walking distance of major sites. you have a dilemma many folks would gladly resolve.

It is no secret that the vast majority of posters here would normally recommend the 6th for its location, charm, and selection of restaurants, etc. If I were willing to spend around $300 a night (and I have) I'd return to Le Relais St. Germain at Carrefour de l'Odeon just off the Odeon corner of St. Germain Blvd. One block to the metro stop Odeon, one block to a taxi stand, one block to the shops of St. Germain, a couple of blocks to Luxembourg Gardens, a pleasant stroll via St. Michel to Notre Dame, a slightly longer stroll to the Louvre, about a hundred really nice restaurants within a ten minute walk, busy, safe, and well lit area, and on and on.<BR>Le Relais St. Germain has some of the largest rooms in Paris all exquisitely decorated with charm and character by the antique dealer/decorator owners. It will run about $300 a night and worth at least that.

My husband and I really enjoyed our stay at the Hotel de Fleurie in September. The receptionists were extremely helpful, the rooms were a fairly good size, the hotel is located in a central area in the 6th(we walked to practically all the major tourist spots - but the Odeon metro is less than one block away), the area lively and we always felt safe. Also, the room was reasonably priced: about $165/night. I will definately stay there again. Hope this helps.

I believe our current favorite, Hotel Cambon, would be ideal for your requirements. One block from Concorde metro, privately owned, 4* and near many good restaurants and great sights. Book on-line or E-mail to Madame Simeon at [email protected]. Best of luck.

I enjoyed the D'Aubusson and believe it is within your budget. Great location and friendly staff.

Ditto. I stayed at D'Aubusson twice, it's a lovely, very comfortable hotel, pretty lobby, nicely decorated, classic rooms and great English speaking staff.<BR><BR>The Superior rooms are large enough. I don't recommend you to bok a De Luxe, since there's a small difference regarding the size of the room, and the De Luxe is much more expensive.<BR><BR>I just topped another thread, with many comments and suggestions about parisian hotels for you, Premal, the subject is "Need 1st cl Paris Hotel in the 6th".<BR><BR>However, D'Aubusson, which is a 4 stars, has a very nice 3 stars sister hotel, the "Hotel Millesime", at Rue Jacob. Same owners and a little less expensive, although almost as nice as D'Aubusson.<BR><BR>Here is a link to D'Aubusson, with a link to the Millesime at the bottom on the left.<BR><BR>http://www.hoteldaubusson.com/VUS/present.htm<BR><BR>Regards,<BR><BR>S <BR>

I also recommend the d'Aubusson.<BR><BR>I have a long file on Paris; if you'd like to see it, email me.

All,<BR><BR>Thanks for all the suggestions. I had a question for those who have been to Hotel d'Aubusson.<BR><BR>The hotel website is not as impressive as some of the other comparable hotels - in particular, the rooms look very dull (I was comparing with Relais Christine, Hotel de Fleurie and Pavillon del la Reine).<BR><BR>Would you agree with that, or do you think that the rooms are better than what the pictures show..<BR><BR>thanks,<BR>premal

I love staying at the Hotel Buci Latin - a little funky rather than quaint. You can get a suite there for less than $350 and it's very well located in the 6th arr. They have a web site at www.bucilatin.com. <BR><BR>As a note: When we couldn't stay there one time, we tried the Hotel de Buci, and didn't enjoy it as much, and it's a more expensive 3 star hotel next door.<BR><BR>Enjoy.

Premal,<BR><BR>D'Aubusson decor is very classic in style, not as fancy or colorful as other Parisian hotels. I wouldn't say dull, but then it's my own perspective. The roms tend the the brown/beige color scheme.<BR><BR>If you like a brighter decor, maybe D'Aubusson won't suit your taste. The Relais Christine decor is, indeed, more romantic, but the rooms at the Relais Sant Germain are unboubtedly larger. The Relais Christine, however, will offer you more facilities, a larger lobby, the garden, etc.<BR><BR>S

I do not understand why anyone would need to spend 350.00 a night for a hotel in Paris, when you can get something perfectly wonderful for about 150. As far as I can see, paying more only gets you a hotel restaurant, and honestly, why eat in the hotel when the best restaurants in the world are in Paris - and not in the hotels.<BR><BR>Why not save your money on the hotel and eat at Taillevant, Le Grand Vefour, and the like every day. You are more likely to remember each dollar spent - in terms of exquisite atmosphere and splendiferous meals rather than hotel service.<BR><BR>I stayed at the Ritz Vendome and barely remember it but I sure remember the meal at Le Grand Vefour and Maxim's.<BR><BR>You can get great service, beautiful rooms and splendid location staying in the sixth - great atmosphere and fine rooms for less than half what you are planning to spend. Besides, I spend most of my time out in the heart of the city, drinking it in, not admiring the trompe d'oeil on the ceiling in the lobby of my hotel.<BR><BR>Hotel Millesime is luscious - not too much - nothing lacking - for about 150ish - 175 per night but you can bargain with them. I'm sure there many others, too. I stayed at Hotel Bonaparte for about 115 a night and was pefectly content.<BR><BR>Best part of all was hearing the bells of St. Sulpice -where Catherine Deneuve lives - each morning and night. IT was a 2 minute walk to a taxi station and five minute walk to a money machine. Just out the door is some of the best shopping in the world. Hey, it just doesn't get much better than that. <BR><BR>That left me plenty of money to buy tassels at Houles, pastels at Sennelier, and scallops at Benoit. I'm truly not trying to tell you how to spend your money, but I have been to Paris six times now and I look at at least ten hotels each time - just to decide where to stay next.

More power to people who do not appreciate a luxurious hotel and beautiful decor. We're all different and that's what makes a world. But for the same reason some of us really care about fine details that we surround ourselves with in our home, some of us really do appreciate living in a more luxurious atmosphere on vacation as well. If we can afford it, don't deny us that privilege or act like there's something wrong with us because we like to live and sleep as well on vacation as we do at home. I travel extensively and cannot often afford those more luxurious places, but I still require more than just a "comfortable bed" to sleep in. I simply wouldn't be comfortable staying in the one and two star hotels that many people find adequate. And if I could expand my budget just a bit more each trip, the first place it would go would be for another step up in accomodations. I thought long and hard about spending an extra $800 for my week next summer at Relais St. Germaine which I love, but finally opted to save that money and stay at Le Regent, which still has very nice decor and is beautifully maintained. But I don't think I'd be comfortable taking another step down. If that week were to be my entire vacation I'd opt for the Relais St. Germaine in a heartbeat, but as part of a three month trip, I need to cut where I can.<BR>By the way, I have eaten at Maxim's, Tallivent, and several other very expensive meals and while they were "memorable", I really have enjoyed most of my meals at wonderful off the beaten path bistros in Paris far more. And actually now that I think about I couldn't tell you what I ate at either of the two places I mentioned -- I mainly remember the atmosphere and the price we paid to eat there. On the other hand, I can still describe the upholstered red toile walls in one hotel in Paris about ten years ago, and the beautifully aged and painted blue walls and silk plaid draperies at another. So I'd rather put more money into where I stay and less on going to the famous expensive restaurants. See what I mean? We all have different priorities and enjoyments.<BR>As an interior designer I find it interesting that you'd spend a small fortune buying tassels at Houles, presumably because you like fine things in your home, but don't care about fine things like that in the place where you stay. But that is certainly your choice and I don't begrudge you for it. I don't furnish my house so much to show off to others as I do to surround myself with things I find nice and I expect no less when I travel.