Paris Hotel choice
 

I don't know why, but I feel silly asking. Basically, I am torn between two hotels in Paris and just can't commit. As a frequent poster here, I've searched and found some feedback both here and Trip Advisor, but just want to ask for fresh (aka recent) opinions. I am looking at either Hotel des Tuileries in the 1st or Hotel du Danube in the 6th. I want to be that centrally located, and the prices I've been quoted from the hotels are the same. I'm just not at all familiar with the 6th in terms of restaurants nearby, safety at night (I'm going solo) and how nice an area it is.

I've been to Paris four times and have stayed in Marais and Trocadero areas previously, just wanted to try an area new to me.

Thoughts? Comments? Many thanks for even reading my newbie-like question.

The 6th is very safe and I find it more charming, interesting than the 1st. I've stayed at the Danube and won't go into details again, but I am in the very small % that did not find it accomodating. I know the location is excellent as you'll be within short walking distance of Blvd. St. Germain's shopping and cafes and restaurants. Also you will be a few blocks away from atmospheric rue de Buci and a block away from Laduree's rue Bonaparte branch.

When are you going to Paris? The Danube does not have a/c.

I'm going the first week of May, so hopefully A/C won't be needed!

Thanks for all feedback so far. Francophile, I'll re-read your feedback, would be interested to know more. I'll click your name to find out.

Do a search on this forum for the Danube. I'm pretty sure I just read two very negative opinions of it on a post.

Found it-- the thread is titled "Help me get out of my Paris Hotel rut" and two people didn't like the Danube.
I'd recommend in the 7th, the Hotel de la Bourdonnais where we stayed last June, if you want another option. The neighborhood is upscale, quiet, well-located, market next door, Rue Cler around the corner, an ATM and mass transit on the corner, too.

Wondering why no one talks about Hotel Millesime anymore...

Travelnut-
Have you stayed at the Millesime? It was recommended to me, but is a bit over my budget (I am trying to stay at/under $200). Same people gave me Hotel de Seine (no a/c) as a 1st choice, Millesime 2nd and Hotel de Varenne as a 3rd. Since I will be there in June, I ruled out the Seine.
Would Millesime be worth going over budget compared to Varenne?

The 6eme is a wonderful area to stay in. I've wandered the streets at all hours of the day or night, alone, with absolutely no problems. I love the area around rue de Buci.

Have you tried the Hotel Regent? I stayed there last July for 11 nights and it was fantastic.

I have also stayed at the Millesime and it is a fine 3* hotel. Would stay there again with a good rate.

Bon voyage.

The Millesime is very attractive when walking past it. But I checked the website and the photos on parisby.com and I honestly think that their rates are overpriced as the rooms look plain. It could be the high rates that doesn't make it so attractive as before.

The Varenne is a more reasonable choice and the rooms have traditional decor and furnishings. It looks very attractive and it has a small garden too. But it is in the 7th whereas the Millesime is in the 6th so it depends on which district you favor more.

The problem with the Hotel Danube is that some rooms have nice decor and others don't. It really depends which room you get (and obviously only the nice ones are on the website). It's also at the end of a street that's a good ten-minute walk to the metro.

The Hotel de Tuileries is more convenient to the metro -- line 1 (very handy), line 7 and line 14 (driverless metro, woo hoo!); you're also close to Opera if you want to take the airport bus. Personally I think this area is much nicer (both areas are relatively safe) at night for a solo woman because fewer drunken students lolling about. The nearby bars and restaurants are a bit more elegant (Le Meurice, for example, is a great place for a nightcap).

Heather

No, I haven't stayed at Millesime - too exp for me also.
I guess hotel recommendations go in 'cycles', where the same half-dozen are touted for a while, then no one mentions them anymore and a new set become the popular ones...

I'm still a bit torn. Especially now that I looked into Ira's Hotel Bonaparte and can get a room cheaper than what I've already been quoted.

I supposed if these are the worst decisions I have to grapple with, I'm lucky!

I booked all flights today and have my hotel for Venice (the second half of this trip). This is the last thing to nail down. What a feeling!

Hi amyb. I stayed at the Bonaparte 2 years ago, on Ira's recommendation. The hotel is fine, a typical 2*. IMHO, the location is absolutely tops. It would be hard to do better!

Thanks Iregeo, I'd read that you'd been there as well. It seems like I can't go wrong there, no??? The savings at Bonaparte may cushion the blow from what I spend in Venice!

I had a wonderful stay at the Millesime last May. I had 2 rooms, 1 for husband and myself and 1 for my 2 college age sons. We all found it comfortable with a welcoming, friendly staff and a great neighborhood. I will be returning the first week in May again this year. They have a package which includes breakfast, airport transportation and some other throw ins and we found that a good deal.