<BR>Can someone who has had experience with either of these hotels tell me more about them? I am interested in the Pavillon de la Reine in Paris and also,Grandes Ecoles. Any personal information from anyone who has stayed at either would be great. Thanks!

Sharon, <BR>My husband and I spent a week at Pavillon de la Reine in May of this year. I highly recommend it and would consider staying there again. The room was large (we had a two room suite), the view was lovely, it was quiet (rare for Paris!), and service was impeccable. The location - right on Place de Vosges and close to the Marais was wonderful. Only negative comment I have was the Marais is quite on the outskirts of Paris (while still in the city). There is no "long walk" to any Metro in Paris, and it never takes you very long to get anywhere, but the Bastille station is the closest main Metro, and it's further than most. This is a minute detail. We had a wonderful time there. Unfortunately, I caught both a terrible cold AND food poisening and was horribly sick for two days. Boy, did I love having a wonderful, beautiful place to stay, and my husband loved having enough room to get away from me! Have a wonderful time! I'm jealous! <BR>

Grandes Ecoles is our favorite Parisian hotel. It's an oasis of <BR>country charm in the middle of the city, with it's garden courtyard and lovely sitting area. We so enjoyed our room, which opened out onto the courtyard. It's close to a metro stop, and also very close to the Place Contrescarpe (always something going on at the cafes there), and Rue Mouffetard, filled with little restaurants, and a great street market during the day.

Sharon <BR>

Sharon: <BR>Knowing (and liking) both arrondissements,the 5th in the case of Grandes Ecoles and the 4th for Pavillion de la Reine, my suggestion is that you go with Grandes Ecoles. There's much to be said for the quiet, almost intimate, upscale neighborhoods of the 5th versus the somewhat more impersonal area where the Marais ends. I like the Marais, but it takes second place to the region around the Pantheon. That said, either choice is very good and should be very pleasing. <BR>