Paris Hotels- Left Bank, Right Bank -I've almost decided.
 

My DH and I will be staying in Paris for 2 to 3 nights on our way to Provence in November (business trip). I have narrowed my hotel choice down to The Relais Christine or the Hotel d'Aubusson - both in same general area on the Left Bank. On our return trip I would like to stay in a different location for a couple of nights - perhaps the Right Bank or ??? I would love some suggestions.

I would like to stay in the $350.00 to $450.00 per night range and like a smaller botique type hotel. We really have no plans other than just wandering and enjoying wonderful dinners. It will be our chance to relax and do a little early Christmas shopping before we head for home and the beginning of the holiday season. If you have a favorite - please share.

Thank you
1jan1

Our favorite place in Paris is the Relais St Germain which is half a block away from the Odeon Metro. It has the advantage of having a fabulous restaurant, Le Comptoir.

AGM_Cape_Cod - Thank you for your reply. I had looked at Relais St Germain but read several reports that although it was good to stay there because of the restaurant the rooms were not very nice and that they were smokey...it is good to hear that you enjoyed it. Did you in fact eat at the restaurant? What did you think?

Wow. We've stayed there twice and thought it was simply spectacular -- particularly the rooms. The only reason I didn't stay there more was it was a little rich for my usual budget, but worth the splurge if we could. Both times were before the recent restaurant change, however. I certainly like it better than Relais Christine or d'Aubusson.

How about staying in the First? For your price range you could stay at the Hôtel Mansart, just off the Place Vendôme, in the Mansart room, which shares a wall with the Ritz Hotel and looks out onto the Place.

There are a number of good restaurants nearby, not to mention the shops along the rue St-Honoré, and on the same street as the hotel are a very good pharmacy, an ATM machine, and a post office.

We just stayed in the 6th in the St Germain Des Pres at 36 Rue Bonapart. LOVED the hotel, the staff (they do speak English) and the neighborhood. So convenient and packed with things to do and see. Our rooms were very comfortable. Good beds, WIFI for free, full breakfast for a fee. We loved it.

We had stayed at the Relais St Germain a couple of years ago and loved it. I normally hesitate to recommend it because it is so expensive but we haven't found anyplace else that works so well for an insomniac and his wife. We were concerned when we read about the smoke and noise but it wasn't a problem. Our room was two flights above the restaurant (Chateaubriand is the room name.) so if there was a problem it would have been apparent to us. The restaurant is fabulous. I can understand why everyone is trying to get in. At this point they are trying to limit the dinner reservations and giving priority to the hotel guests. There are no reservations for lunch so people stand in line. As hotel guests they were very accomodating about getting us a table when we wanted one. We normally do not eat in the same restaurants on the same trip since there are so many places to try. This trip we had dinner at Le Comptoir, tried for another night of dinner but they were booked solid and ate there for lunch twice.

My husband and I are in our mid thirties. We spent Christmas and New Years 3 years ago at the D'Aubusson.

This was not only on the recommendation of many lovely and generous Fodorites, but also from a prominent, elder real etate developer in my hometown who has owned an apartment in Paris for many decades (and obviously knows Paris well.)

The D'Aubusson is lovely. The rooms are very cozy and comfortable. I am sure we had the least expensive and it was a nice size, not large, but not cramped. It had a small table and two chairs, which were very nice. The fabrics are plush and elegant.

The bathrooms are actually quite nice, not huge at all, but spacious by European standards and very comfortable. The shower is fixed position.

The location of D'Aubusson is wonderful....on a cute, typical Parisian street with many shops around. Most importantly, it is very central and close to the river Seine.

Be sure to stop by the beautiful and delicious Laduree pastry shop!

We had a cozy dinner in a tiny dining room just around the corner from D'Aubusson at Le Christine

Best wishes!

Hello!
You should go to the "quartier latin" area. It is one of the most beautiful places in Paris. There are a lot of restaurants, cinemas and also the famous Luxembourg Garden. You should visit http://www.discountcityhotels.net/. This website proposes a lot of nice hotels in the most beautiful and pleasant locations of Paris. Discountcityhotels.net provides you with a wide range of Parisian hotels to choose from.

Hope you have a good time!!!

Best wishes

Patricia

We've stayed at Relais Christine many times, and really love it, but you do need to watch out for some of the standard rooms, which are miniscule even for Paris!

The hotel which was once a monastery, is very charming and quiet. Rooms are beautifully decorated, with excellent beds, and every amenity in the marble bathrooms.

There is an honor bar in the downstairs living room, as well as a roaring fire in the winter months. Service ( breakfast in particular!) is excellent.

We also think that the location is perfect for exploring much of Paris. And we'd also recommend the restaurant, LE CHRISTINE, just next door, which is not connected to the hotel, but has very good food.

On your return trip, you might want to check out Relais Christine's sister hotel, Pavillion de la Reine in the Marais, which is one of my favorite neighborhoods. The hotel is located right off the Places des Vosges, which is one of the most beautiful squares in all of Paris.

The Picasso Museum is about a ten minute walk from the hotel, and there are tons of restaurants and galleries, and shops nearby, too.

Have a great time!