I'm leaving for holiday in three days, am have booked a room at the Etoile Park Hotel in the 8th Arrondissement. However, I have read in the past few hours problems with safety at this hotel and some robberies.

Can anyone confirm/deny this, and if so, give me advise on where else to stay that is easy to get to from the Eurostar terminal.

Your help is GREATLY appreciated. I'm so nervous now. :/

Excuse me, I meant to say 17th, not 8th.

Try laterooms.com to see a listing of hotels that have availability on such short notice. What's the cancellation policy at Etoile Park; can you get out of the reservation without paying a
penalty at this time?

Also no matter where your hotel will be located, you can get a taxi from the Gare du Nord train station. I believe that's where the Eurostar terminal is.

It will cost me $25 USD, but that is worth it for my ease of mind.

What hotels would you recommend around the Arc? I would like to stay in that area for photography reasons and because I have read the Charles de Gaule - Etoile metro station is one of the best (easiest to get around from) in Paris.

Thank you so much!

A nice place is Le Lavoisier but it's around 200+ per night and not sure if rooms would be available.
Coincidentally I stayed on one of the side streets off the Arc de Triomphe, rue Brey at Hotel Tilsitt. This is a few blocks from the Arc but it's in the 17th district not the 8th. It's a nice hotel but the rooms are small. I see there's another hotel a street or two away called Hotel Princesse Caroline which looks good too.

Again I don't know if they have rooms available but if they do they may offer a last minute deal.

BTW CDG/Etoile metro is in the 17th but of course it's right next to the 8th.

Haven't stayed there myself, but my sister has stayed on several occasions at the Hotel du Rond-Point des Champs-Elysees on Rue de Ponthieu in the 8th. She has been there whilst on business on her own, says it is simple but very nice. You can find it on www.parishotels.com

Try www.ratestogo.com they only book out for last minute rooms and have dozens of hotels available, some with very good discounts as well. I've used them 2x for trips to Paris and have been very satisfied with the rate I got & their service.

I wouldn't want to stay at a hotel with robberies, that's for sure. A lot of hotels in the 8th or 17th are not particularly close to the Etoile at all, so be sure you check on the location.

I can recommend a lovely 3* hotel I stayed in once on avenue Carnot -- this is the 17th, but in the first block leading off the Arc and is a very convenient location. That block has several moderate hotels on it. I stayed at the Regence Etoile some years ago, so don't have an up-to-minute report (but very good comments on www.paris.org). The hotel is charming and very moderately priced for that neighborhood (about 150 euro for a double), and even has AC.

http://www.france-hotel-guide.com/h75017regencemain.htm

There is no real reason to stay in an area for photo ops--they are ALL over Paris! and the transportation system is swift and easy. Go to a hotel site and start looking for something in the 7th--hotel Muguet, Champ de Mars, Levecque. These are popular and maybe full but there are LOTS of hotels.

I second tully's recommendation of rates to go. We used it and it was easy as well as useful. One caveat, if you use them--they furnish you w/a confirmation that tells you what your room charge will be minus the deposit you pay directly to them upon making your reservation. The hotel where we stayed first made up the bill for the whole amount and not the remining balance. When I politely pointed out the error, she corrected the bill. If someone were not being careful, they could get overcharged.

I agree with Gretchen that your reasoning for being near the Etoile isn't particularly sound. It's marginally easier to get around from that métro station, but so marginally that it doesn't matter. Besides, what you gain on convenience for getting around, you lose on things like availability of lots of nice cafes, restaurants, and shops, which abound in other Paris neighborhoods. And photo ops are everywhere!
So I'd broaden your search to the 6th, 7th, 1st, 5th, and 4th. Good luck!

I DEFINITELY agree with the posters that there is no reason for you to limit your hotel search to the area around the Etoile- I wouldn't even think of doing that- you can hop on the metro from a lovely hotel in the area around Sorbonne/St. Germaine (5h, 6th, 7th arr.) and be at the Etoile in no time at all. Go do a search here for some popular suggested hotels, then go to TripAdvisor.com-and check out the reviews of those hotels, pick one that is right in terms of budget and appeal-and get busy re-booking!

Thank you so much. I have researched more and am looking at the Hotel Residence des Arts. It is on the left bank in Latin Quarter.

I have heard pros/cons about staying in this area ... I just want to know if it's good and how close it is to the Lourve, Notre Dame, etc. And the river Seine as well.

Thank you all so much.

The only drawback to Latin Qtr. is that depending on the location the area could get noisy. But that's about the only drawback I see. It's a very nice, lively neighborhood with quite a few sights like Notre Dame and the Seine for example. In fact, in my opinion, it's alot better location than the 8th and 17th as you can walk to St. Germain and the Marais neighborhoods easily. Residence des Arts is on a street called Git le Coeur and it's near the action but quiet enough by the hotel. It's a good hotel judging by the comments on tripadvisor.com.

hotel etoile de maillot is just a bit down from the arc and is a really good place. try there, you will not be disappointed....

Thanks again to all the comments. I have decided to stay away from the Arc and in the 6th arr. for more of a "Parisian" feel. I have narrowed my search down to two hotels: Hotel Madison and Hotel Residence des Arts. Any factor that favors one over the other?

I'm glad you did change your location. To be honest, when we stayed in the 17th district, sure the Etoile metro was closeby the hotel. But if you stay in the 5th or 6th it's so convenient to walk out your hotel and find some sights right there. Also it's a different type of ambience on the left bank-much nicer. I can't explain fully; you will just have to find out for yourself what I mean. But I'm certain you will definitely enjoy your stay there. In fact, you may not want to leave!

Not having stayed at the 2 you you've narrowed it down to, personally I'd take The Madison. I've passed it before & it's a great location, plus I remember it got a rave review in one of the travel magazines a couple years ago.

Am also very glad to see you changed your location to a Latin Quarter hotel-francophile is right, you will not regret your decision! Unfortunately, I can't help you with your 2 hotels- as I don't know them, I can only say that, like franco, I have heard good things about the Residence des Arts. No real cons to the Latin Quarter, only pros!

p.s. to wondering- de Maillot IS a nice hotel, and is also located right off Etoile-but I still have to vote for the ambience of the Latin Quarter, partic. if this is a first-time trip to Paris.

sppunk, also, in my opinion, I think the areas near the Seine in the 4th-6th districts are much more picturesque than near Etoile. I've gotten many nice views there (near the Seine and its surroundings) and have taken a few nice shots.
Etoile you get the Arc but that's really the only thing that's worthwhile. The Champs Elysees is really one huge thoroughfare clogged with tourists, stores, and restaurants. There isn't anything scenic about it.