As indicated on my other posting, I am taking my mom to Paris for Thanksgiving weekend. We will stay there for 5 nights after arriving in Paris on the 24th.

I've got a few confirmations back from hotels for a room. I am wondering if you can help me with the decision. I would like to be reasonably close to Metro/Bust stop as I don't want my mom to walk too far (she doesn't have strong legs). Neighborhood have cafes or bakeries where we can get something quick to bite. Lovely restaurants will be a plus. My mom likes to window shopping so that's another factor. The hotel needs to be clean as my mom is extremely pick about that.

Here are the list of hotels that I've got the available room for the dates that we will stay:

Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais (twin bedroom) - 137 euro per night
Hotel du Danube (twin bedroom) - 145 euro per night
Hotel de Fleurie (Queen size bedroom) - 165 euro per night (but they will give me one night free for their promotion)
Hotel La Bretonnerie (Charming room) - 145 euro per night

Can you please help me in deciding the hotel based on the factors that are important to us? Tell me if my searches were completely done wrong! I read so many postings here but still I can't decide. If there is any other hotel that will suit better with what I am looking for, please advise as well. Thanks!!!

We stayed at the Bretonnerie in November two years ago. It was very charming, but the room did smell of smoke (lots of fabric used in the decor, so it must hold the smell). I think this may be an issue with many hotels in places where smoking is the norm, though.

The bathroom was very clean and had a lovely deep soaking tub, which was great for cold weather travel- you can really warm up and sooth your sore muscles after a day of siteseeing.

I can't remember the proximity of the metro, but I don't think it was right on the block. I remember walking, but I could be wrong.

This past year, we stayed at Hotel Valadon right around the corner from the Rue Cler.

Lots of Fodorites slam the Rue Cler is being full of Rick Steeves followers, but I loved the whole area. We were there in the winter, and didn't find it to be too full of tourists at all. Lots of cafes, food stores, restaurants, etc in the area, plus a quick walk over to the Seine and the Eifel Tower.

The Valadon has a modern style of decor, so you don't get the feeling of European charm, but it was INCREDIBLY clean, didn't smell of smoke at all (except in the breakfast room) and had great beds and really snuggly down duvets covered in clean cotton duvet covers. It was freezing when we were there in January, but we were toasty warm in bed. The owners let their dog into the breakfast room, which some people might find gross, but we thought it was cute.

The same couple also owns a more luxurious hotel in the 7th. It looks lovely, but is out of my 150 E or less price range.

We loved the Valadon, and would go back (hopefully this winter again) but if you want old world charm it isn't the place. You might check out Hotel du Champ de Mars in the same neighborhood if you want charm. We haven't stayed there but it looked adorable.

Have a great trip with your mom!

We've stayed at the du Danube several times, the last time in Nov 2003 and we'll be there again this Nov.

The twin rooms that we've occupied have all been large and clean, mainly furnished with antique pieces. The bathrooms are not huge but are clean and have nice toiletries. Some have the toilet in a seperate room.

They have a very nice lounge area and a pretty inner courtyard, though in November you wouldn't be using that!

Rue Jacob has wonderful shops for a variety of things. The side streets are lined with all sorts of window shopping from decorators to jewelry to antiques .

You are 2 short blocks from the Seine and about the same from the St Germain metro stop. There are bus lines a few steps from the door.

I found the staff most pleasant, especially Francois. His English is perfect! And free internet access after 6 PM.

There are numerous small cafes and bistros in that area, along with groceries, pharmacies, and a post office and LAUDEREE!!

We seldom take breakfast there as we like to walk the 4 blocks to Paul..love those almond crossaints!! There is also a very good bakery..I forget the name.. just a few steps away.

You are 10 minutes walking fron D'Orsay and the Louvre and maybe 15 to Ile de L'cite and Ile de Ste. Louis.

The Danube can be an excellent spot..I have been there at Christmas.

Cross the bridge and you are at the Louvre..go on thru the archway and you are on rue Rivoli.

For what it's worth, I took my Mom to Paris last year, and she really loved the 6th - wandering through the Jardin de Lux, window-shopping on St. Germain, the market on Buci, etc. The appeal of the Marais was lost on her (although it's a great, dynamic neighborhood). So I'd probably knock Caron de Beaumarchais out of the running.

The only hotel on your list that I stayed at is the Danube. I'm the only one who disagrees with the others as I did not like it. The best thing about the hotel is its location in my opinion. In contrast to all the comments that the staff was warm, unfortunately, one staff member present throughout my visit was very unwelcoming. Also I knew the hotel's decor consists mainly of toile and floral patterns but it was too much. I reserved an "apartment" which was just ok but the bathroom was claustrophobic being so narrow and small and needs renovating badly.

Now, I feel more confused. Most of hotels don't offer non smoking room. That could be a problem for my mom and myself. We are very much allergic to that. I guess I will research a bit more to find a better place to stay. More inputs will be appreciated....

Since your mom has leg problems, I'd forget about the métro; most stations have many stairs and require lengthy walks in order to change lines. The bus or taxis will be your best bet for transportation; so use the Pages Jaunes to check on taxi stands near hotels you are considering. Paris taxis don't pick up along the street--you need to go to a stand--and you won't want to walk far to find a taxi. One reason we stay at the Hôtel Madison (in the 6th) is that there are 2 taxi ranks within a short block from the hotel.

I would be concerned about the "queen size bedroom" at the Hotel de Fleurie. This probably means one queen size bed. Do you and your mother intend to share a bed?

In addition to St-Germain, you might want to check for hotels around the Opera area, or near the Grands Boulevards, particularly as your mother likes to window shop. And I agree that you should try to avoid the metro if possible, as the stairs and connecting tunnels can be daunting even to someone without mobility problems.

I think shellio's right about the Fleurie. Is it one bed for the two of you? The same with La Bretonnerie; is that one bed?
The Fleurie has connecting rooms which are two separate bedrooms and bathrooms but they have a hallway that connects both rooms. The cost is similar to having two separate rooms.

Hi
take the advice above, the stairs and the corridors in metro stations can be much more taxing on the legs and stamina than walking a few blocks above ground. You might want to consider buses.

Have you also looked at hotel comments at www.tripadvisor.com, as well as clicking at the top of this screen on Hotels?

I have a long file on Paris, if you'd like to see it, email me at
[email protected]

Hi echo,

Did you contact the Bonaparte?

There are 2 metro stops within 2 blocks and a bus stop 1/2 blk away.

You are within 4 blks of dozens of restaurants.

Pierre Hermes is across the street and Lauree is two blks north.

Of the hotels you mention, we have stayed only at the Fleurie. It is a charming hotel in a wonderful, central location. However, I would ask about the queen bed - perhaps they have a room with twins. I definitely recommend the 6th for a hotel that is near transportation, cafes, shops, etc.

I just want to second the thoughts above about the use of the metro for your mother. Altho it is an efficient and relatively inexpensive way to get around, it can be a killer for people who have trouble walking long distances. Especially where two or more lines cross you feel like it might have been shorter to just walk to where you wanted to go. I think the busses would work much better, but you do have to figure things out so that you know where to get off. Best wishes for your trip.

My mom and I stayed at Caron de Beaumarchais in March of 2000. We found the location very convenient, and the hotel was charming. Our room was small but nice, clean and with separate beds. Breakfast was included (baguettes, croissants, coffee, tea, juice). However, we did not find alot of cafes, bakeries, etc nearby.

The Hotel Muguet(www.paris-hotel-muguet.com) has a complete floor of non-smoking rooms, but you may be too late.

echo 1967:

We have stayed in the Caron many times. It is near Metro--one block or so. The Marais now has many bakeries, nice shops, museums, etc. Try restaurant "Le Pamphlet" about six blocks away - your mother may need a cab. For lunch try Mariage Freres, about three blocks from hotel.

Rooms are small but are immaculate and have character. The Bigeards, pere et fils, are wonderful as is the staff -very helpful.

my favorite hotel has no-smoking rooms...impeccably clean, gracious staff and handsome rooms.
Hotel Relais du Louvre in the 1eme.
Good prices as well. I was there last year at Thanksgiving. I'm trying to get back there this year for Thanksgiving. I had Thanksgiving dinner at Le Fumoir (don't let the name fool you)and I want to do that again as well!

SuzieC, we used to stay at Relais du Louvre exclusively, but decided there was much more to experience in Paris, so started trying other hotels. We'll probably return to Relais du Louvre, but we still always manage a meal, usually lunch, at Le Fumoir....consistently good food in pleasant surroundings. I'm sure Thanksgiving there would have been wonderful!

.echo..How old is your Mom and will she be put off by the "character" of these hotels? My mother wants her little conveniences and her idea of a great hotel is the ritz (my idea too but i just will NOT spend that much on myself for a city hotel..now if someone else spends it on me....)and she is quite happy at a Hilton. If your Mom wants a smoke free room with N>A> cleanliness you might want to use one of the less expensive chains..ex Best Western. That being said, I did try my small hotel philosophy on Mother and booked us into Hotel de la Lutece. She loved the location (Ile Saint Louis), made some comments re the size of the room, was happy with the hosekeeping, and as we were walking back after dinner with some of my friends (and it didn't hurt that her dinner partner looked like maurice chevalier), she said that this was the Paris of her dreams (the location) despite the fact she had been to Paris many times before...so you might consider this or hotel deux iles for central location and "charm"...but really try to figure out whether she would prefer the quaint to something like best western...