The details:

Married couple in our early 30s (no kids) looking to make our first visit to Paris (long a dream for both). Would love to find the ideal hotel in the 200-250/night range. Will probably wind up getting talked into spending more, but not trying to break the bank. Generally at a loss as to what neighborhood we'll like best, but we are likely to spend our time just walking, shopping, eating rather than try to hit every tourist site and museum (for reference we live in the South End in Boston).

My wife would probably love a Deco masterpiece, I'm probably partial to something a bit "hipper," sexier... Would love it if the place had a spa and/or steam room (imagining wanting to unwind after flight and long days walking). Basically looking for something very nice, comfortable, with some sort of unique style, but also an easy opportunity to have a great Paris experience. I know rooms are generally small, but comfort is key (more so than say, a view). Something on the quieter side versus being in the middle of the "action" is also a plus.

FWIW, we're also planning to bring our (small) dog, so hotel has to accept pets, but it seems plenty do, so I don't think that will be very limiting.

If you're thinking you can spend more, look into the Montalembert or the Costes, both are as hip as they come.
Check for comments at tripadvisor.com

Tons of good advice coming your way and virtually all of it will be don't do what I'm about to suggest, but since I delight in contrarianism here goes:

http://www.lavillamaillot.fr/

This is a very, very nice 4-star on the western outskirts, a bit beyond the Arc de Triomphe, and a very easy walk to the Porte Maillot station in the No. 1 Metro line. It shows up on booking sites, such as Rates to Go, and offers there suggest it's within your budget. You would need to take the No. 1 line to reach the center of the city, and that's what most Fodorites will advise against. But the very occasional strike aside, it's a breeze, and will take no more than 15 minutes per trip. Wasted time? Not if you read a guidebook or people-watch en route.

Also note: There is a "turkish bath" and a sauna at the Villa Maillot.

Thanks. Villa Maillot looks like a great option.

Two questions:

-is there a lot to walk to in that area? Like cafes, etc. We are not averse to long walks and taking public transportation and like to people walk, but will also like morning walks, etc.

-the spa... is it coed? Just wondering about being able to steam together. Not a big deal, but would be a big plus (suspect more common there than here).

By definition, being a local, I can't really advise on hotels, but neighborhoods yes. And I think our Bostonian friends are looking for a part of town that's rather more hip and happening than Porte Maillot, which is awfully nice but equally awfully staid and bourgeois - not to mention slightly out of the way.

On hotels per se, I know that Hotel Pershing is extremely hip and Andrée Putman decorated, etc. but I don't think they have a spa (much more difficult to find in Paris than in the States anyways... )

We didn't try the sauna or the Turkish bath. Had a suite, which was spacious and lovely - understated elegance at a very good price. The immediate neighborhood is leafy, with Belle Epoch buildings and a few good-looking brasseries and restaurants between the hotel and the Metro station. Art is right: you would want to do most of your walking in other neighborhoods. On the other hand, there's a dearth of the kind of hotel you're looking for in the "hip" areas of Paris. We know because we, too, are locals, who do venture out, and even sleep, from time time, away from our home in the "happening" 11th arrondissement. There usually are tradeoffs in Paris lodging. And the Metro can resolve many a dilemma.

These hotels have a 'spa' or heated pool:
http://www.parisby.com/accommod/spa_paris.htm

Most of them have rates above 250€ except for Hotel Sully St Germain:
http://www.sully-saint-germain-hotel.com/
- has sauna and jacuzzi
- not sure if it has any of the style you are looking for

I wouldn't advise someone to stay in that hotel at Porte Maillot unless you care nothing about location and surroundings, and only the hotel. The problem is you want some unusual luxury things (like spa and steam room) and I think they are only available in expensive hotels (Meurice, Ritz, George V, Lancaster, Tremoille, Renaissance Vendome, Park Hyatt Vendome, L'Hotel, etc); your price range is too low for the top hotels, and too low for top hip hotels or Deco masterpieces. You know that US$200 is only about 165 euro, and that is about possible for a 3* hotel in the central areas, and not even the best ones.

Maybe the budgeted nightly rates are in euro? Anyway, it seems like many people like the Bel Ami in the 6th district.

Beantown,
I'm very partial to Saint Germain de Pres, thus I'm recommending two hotels in Saint Germain, and another one in the 5th.

Two hotels have a sauna-- the Relais Saint Sulpice and the Jardins de Luxembourg, and the Bel Ami, which has spa services and whose rates are a little higher than 250, but include buffet breakfast.

I have stayed at the Bel Ami various times, and have never stayed at the Saint Sulpice ou Jardins, but both got very good reviews on Trip Advisor.

I have no information about dogs being accepted or not, so, you'll have to ask the hotels themselves.

http://www.relais-saint-sulpice.com/...te/accueil.htm

http://www.les-jardins-du-luxembourg...te/accueil.htm

http://www.hotel-bel-ami.com/index.htm

I hope you find what you're looking for.

Thanks all for the feedback so far. I should have clarified - 200-250 is Euros. I'm aware of exchange rate (which is getting more favorable by the day). And there's flexibility there - would prefer to have something leftover for food and shopping.

I do appreciate the perspective on location vs. amenities. Spa is not a must-have (it's a wish), but as this is our first trip, location is much more important.

Just curious why you're bring your dog....is it a French poodle? No really..the flight I would think would be a hassle for you and the dog..as well as other inconveniences..no?

You might want to consider the Jeu de Paume :

http://www.jeudepaumehotel.com/

While there are some quibbles, it falls within your budget, or nearly so. Dogs are admitted and there's a spa. And it's on the Isle St. Louis, not a bad palce to be on a first visit to Paris.

Having a small dog in Paris isn't really an inconvenience. We take our English cocker with us on most of our trips to Paris and manage fine.
Re hotels, the Hotel Sezz sounds like something you might. VERY hip, very new, has its own spa and located in an attractive upscale neighborhood that is NOT staid. This part of the 16th is lively, with a good selection of bars (Scossa, for example) and restaurants, plus excellent shopping along the Ave. Victor Hugo and on the streets that radiate off the Place Victor Hugo. Not to mention the unbeatable views of the Eiffel Tower you get from the Trocadero.
A couple of Sofitels also come to mind--the Baltimore (exterior designed by Monsieur Eiffel, as in Eiffel Tower; but the rooms are quite modern), the Dokhan (chic champagne bar)--these are both in the 16th and very pet friendly.

Beantown,

My husband and I are in our low/mid 30's and we just returned from our 1st trip to Paris last month. We stayed at the Le Grand Intercontinental by the Opera. It was a great hotel, but I highly recommend staying in the St Germain area. We ended up there almost every night due to the lively cafes, restaurants and shopping. Hopefully, I will get my trip report posted this week. Have fun planning!

Thanks again for the feedback. Sezz was a place I had seen. Anyone been to Murano Urban Resort?

In terms of the dog - it's easier. We've had her for 8 years. She was a rescue and did not handle being left behind very well. We tried several arrangements, and eventually started looking for places we could bring her. Has worked out great. We know Paris is dog friendly, so it's been at the top of our list.

You'll meet French people easily when you're out with your dog, and of course she can go with you to the restaurant if she's well-behaved.

Back to lodgings, the Hotel Axial-Beaubourg www.axialbeaubourg.com turned up when we were doing a recent search. It looks like your kind of hotel, albeit without spa, but the Trip Advisor reviews are not kind. Christina, do you know this one?

You might find something of interest on www.hiptravelguide.com/paris/

I've heard good things of "le A", but it might be a bit more than your budget.

Also, take a look at
www.mrand mrssmith.com
which is a guide to the most stylish hotels in Europe.

beantown- hey neighbor!
My husband and I (late 20s, early 30s) went to France for the first time this past April.
While I can't help you in the hotel dept (we prefer very traditional European hotels), I just wanted to say have a fantastic time!!
Are you staying in Paris the whole time, or doing any side trips?