It looks nice. Have any Fodorites stayed at the Relais St. Germain. Your feedback would be welcome. How does it compare with the D'aubusson?

Well, I did this to myself and now I should reply.

I have stayed there many times but not in the past two years, I've switched to flats (and am no longer on an expense account). I don't think it is as posh or as upmarket as Hotel D'Aubusson, but I'm basing that on the D'Aubusson website only, I've never stayed there.

I walked by the Relais about six weeks ago--the facade has been smartened up; I don't know about the rooms--the fabrics (curtains and bedspreads) in some rooms were getting a bit tired. Relais breakfast is excellent and beautifully presented--in the little restaurant or in your room. The staff is helpful with restaurant and taxi reservations.

I know - let's <i>help</i> newmanparker and every single one of us recommend every single nice or nice-ish hotel we've used in Paris. That should keep him busy for the next 3 or 4 months or so, asking about every single one of them.

Then we can start listing all the apartments - that should be good for a further 6 months of dithering.

That's my new tactic janis.
He wants to obsess, I'm gonna help him!!!

In the spirit of the last couple of posters, how about the Hotel Brighton on Rue de Rivoli in the 1er - we stayed there 3 years ago and loved it. Gorgeous views - as good as those at the Meurice at probably one-fourth of the cost.

And now our favorite is to get an apartment - this last May a 2BR in the Palais Royal also in the 1er.

You really need to explore this more newmanparker!

Sam

The Brighton is indeed a fine hotel. I previewed it a few years back. I forget the hotel room umbers now, but up high with spectacular views of all of Paris!! Beautiful. The room was huge. The bathroom was huge..it had both a tub and a walk-in shower.

You have the Meurice and Angelina's next to you.

Enjoy....

Joan

newmanparker,

Here's the link to your other thread about hotels in the 1st. It discusses the Brighton, and has some other suggestions.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35156348

I think any of the recommended hotels will be a great place to sleep. Remember- this is Paris! A &quot;tired&quot; lobby or a not-quite-what-you-expected room is not going to matter so much as long as it's clean and has a comfortable bed.

What you should be considering first is locationlocationlocation. Think about what neighborhood suits you best ( close to/far from major sites?, easy access to metro? close to shopping/good restaurants?) and go from there.

Even if the hotel disappoints, Paris will not! Have a great time.

Last year I stayed at Le Grand Hotel des Gobelins in Paris's Latin Quarter. It was a great location, and I really liked the hotel (small rooms, but very clean, good staff, not pricey). You can pay more for the larger rooms if you choose, but we were more budget minded! :)

They are located 1.5 blocks from one Metro station (les Gobelins), and about 4 blocks from two larger stations (Austerlitz and Lyon). There are numerous restaurants and cafes within walking distance, a grocery store and bakeries.

I would agree with other replies here about the Champs Elysees area - you pay for the location, but it still is not as close to major sites other than shopping.

We had some difficulty getting around due to the Metro strike, but the hotel we stayed at was only a few stations away from the Louvre area and with the 2 large stations close by it would be easy to get any place in the city within a short amount of time.

Hotel link: http://www.hotel-des-gobelins.com

The Brighton looks like a nice property, and is conveniently located. Thanks

The Brighton requires a 50% non-refundable deposit. So it looks good for a last minute stay only.

You won't get one of the great rooms at the Brighton last minue..that's for sure!!!

Does anyone know the Lumen or the St. Vincent?

Regarding the Brighton, my recollection is that it requires at least a 2-night (if not 3-night) stay. We needed a hotel last May the night before our apartment was available and we couldn't get the Brighton because of that. Otherwise that would have been my first choice (again). As it was, we spent one night at the Bonaparte - perfectly fine, but not the views of the Brighton.

Sam

The only problem is that if you have to cancel in high season, they keep the total amount of your stay.

Does anyone know the St. Vincent or Lumen Hotels? Any thoughts?

Give it a rest newmanparker. I'm starting to think you're spoofing everyone... and trying to get an inordinate number of posts on your thread as a stunt or something.
Just pick a damn hotel! Make up your own mind!

Back away slowly from the forum.... that's it...

Why are you being so rude taggie? If you don't want to answer my question, then butt out.

I've answered. So have about 100 others. You've got great suggestions. At some point you're just gonna have to make a decision.

I understand your desire, I truly do. A lovely hotel is a BIG part of a trip for me (as opposed to others who don't care as much about comfort and luxury touches as long as it's clean).

As someone who just a short while ago was almost equally as obsessive, I'm telling you that you are ALWAYS going to wonder if you got the best place... and even after you're in Paris and wandering the streets, you'll see other hotels no one suggested and wonder &quot;What if I'd just picked that one?&quot;. It will ruin your trip if you don't let it go! Your wife will love Paris, or she won't, and it's not going to be totally down to the hotel you pick. Please take one of the very good suggestions you've received here and move on to planning other things that are just as important - restaurants, sights, art, etc.

And the next time you go, you can stay at one of the ones that got away...

Make up your bleedin' mind already! You've been at this for a month and a half and are no closer to a decision.

&quot;<i>then butt out. </i>&quot;

IMO that is a terrific idea. We should all butt out and leave you to it.