Golfer
Just incase you werent aware, Hotel De France is only about 5mins walk from the nearest Metro L'ecole Militaire. Good luck with everything, I hope you wife is thrilled with her surprise, I will be doing the same thing for my husband in March, its so exciting surprising people.
Lucie

The differing experience of francophile03 at the Hotel du Danube points out that any recommendation is personnal. My experience at the Hotel was certainly different (I stayed there twice) but then I did not stay in or see the 2 room suite. I found the staff on duty during my stays to be helpful and friendly. My rooms were lovely as was the public space.

Hi golfer50,

To add me 2 euros worth...I stayed at the Timhotel Jardin des Plantes, in December couple years back. Yes, the hotel is definitely basic, and that was OK with me, since I was not planning on spending much time there. Area is not touristy at all, so you get a different view of the city. Safe neighbourhood, studetns during day. There is of course a patisserie right across the street, some brasseries, and within a couple of blocks I found some very nice restaurants (used Michelin Red Guide)...as well as a nice selection along that area of Seine. I visited the roman arena (Lutece) a block away (good place for picnic), metro was 2 blocks away (junction of 2 lines), Seine one block away, Ile St Louis (one of my favorite places) 10 minutes away, Notre Dame nearby, etc...
Mike

My experience with Hotel du Danube's reception staff may have been just one of the few times the staff were not friendly. Yes, I have read many comments about 'friendly, warm staff' at this hotel. I regret having not experiencing that personally. Was it just that I were there on two off days? I don't know. But I found that others have experienced the same on different occasions if you read comments at Trip Advisor.

Does anyone know anything about the Hotel Marignan, rue de Sommerard? It's about a 5 minute walk from Notre Dame, and is one of the few hotels that have a room for all of us, but I've seen some negative reviews in some internet sites.

I stayed at the Hotel d'ALbe at the edge of the Latin Quarter and in the middle of everything. We walked to everything from here and my daughter loved the busy streets around us. Close to several Metro stops and very quiet with the windows shut. 1 Rue de la Harpe.

I thought you had decided on the Hotel de France or Avre, and now what's up with the Marignan? I stayed in a hotel virtually right next door to it once -- and I've read a lot about it. It's a very low-level joint, I don't think it's exactly the same category of hotel as the others. I mean, I think it is only a 1* hotel and geared to backpackers and people like that. I've read they have a lot of unusual "rules", probably due to their clientele. I think it's sort of like a hostel -- for example, when I walked by it, I could see crowds of people around the windows, and some of them were sort of hanging out of them--maybe yelling at others or something. I guess it was sort of social for those kind of people who stay there, maybe like a hostel.


What do you mean, they are the only hotel with room for you?

If you are satisfied with a very basic place, then maybe it might suit you, though. The location is fairly convenient, although I wouldn't regard it as preferable to the others. I don't care for that part of Paris very well myself, but lots of other people do. I prefer being near a metro stop with several lines running through it (that is near Maubert), and I didn't find as many good cafes or restaurants in the immediately area of the hotel as I usually do.

Thanks, Christina. What I meant was there are very few places that can fit 5 people in one suite. I'm still inclined to go with the 3 hotels I mentioned previously (Hotel de France, Hotel de L'Avre or Grand Leveque), but I needed to hear something from someone about Marignan. Your advice is very helpful. Thank you.

Thanks to everyone who recommended Hotel de France. We just returned from Paris, and stayed there for 6 nights. We were thrilled with the hotel. The location was perfect, and the staff was extremely friendly. We had two adjoining rooms, and had a nice view of Napolean's Tomb and the Eiffel Tower. The breakfast was well worth the cost.

Some will be 'sad';) that you have such a good review of Hotel de France. Glad you had a nice experience in Paris.