I have read through this forum and still can't decide where to stay. I want to walk out my hotel and be surrounded by quaint little shops and restaurants. I also want it to be very clean. Size is not an issue. I am looking for something in the 5th-7th arr for $100 USD or less a night. I have looked on Expedia, Travelocity and discounhotels.com. They weren't much help. Also, do you recommend booking thru the hotel or one of the above listed agents???? Thanks everyone!

We just returned from Paris and based on a friend's recommendation sayed at Hotel Des Grandes Ecoles, near the Latin Quarter. www.france-hotel-guide.com/h75005ecoles.htm....I am not sure how soon you are going...this hotel books up far in advance. But if you can get a room there, it is a great place to stay...reasonable, clean, friendly, interesting neighborhood, many shops and restaurants, etc. You can reserve thru email.

search for "rue cler" and you'll probably come up with info about the Hotel Champs du Mars or Hotel Leveque (spelling?), etc. We have enjoyed the Champs du Mars.

we are flying out thanksgiving day and we are staying one week! i am going to try all three of those hotels right now and check their availability. thanks!

When I was in Paris I stayed at the Castiglioni on the Rue de Faubourge/St. Honore. I honestly don't know what the price was. The location could not be beat. It was walking distance to everything. And talk about shopping...unbelieveable! Not quaint little shops however..all high-end.

Steph: I've stayed 2x at the Champs du Mars, but more recently stayed at the Timhotel behind the Louvre (1st arr). Great location to sights and decent price. The trade off is that the immediate area kind of closes up early (not really a residential area).

I can't find the thread of several months ago re National Geographic Traveler piece on 20 inexpensive hotels in Paris; anyone?

Sue - just topped a thread for you re the National Geographic Traveler article (which I found via text search for "geographic and paris.") <BR><BR>You'll find other threads with this same search, among them one which has a link to the actual article: <BR>http://www.macduffeverton.com/editorial/NatGeographicTrav/ParisHotel1.html<BR><BR>Bonne chance!

Steph,<BR>We have stayed at the Hotel Champ du Mars and liked it very much. This past summer, we stayed at the Hotel Muguet and liked it even better. They are near to each other in the 7th eme The Muguet is the way I would go.<BR>It was also highly touted in the National Geographic Traveler mentioned above.

Is there anywhere to view the National Geographic page in text only? It's too small to read (even a maximum magnification) in its graphic format.

Check out www.charmingparis.com. I used their Italy website this summer and loved every hotel I stayed in. They have some really darling looking places in those arr.

I just stayed at Hotels sdes Grande Balcons. The servive was great, rooms ok but clean and location in Latin Quarter was great. I walked around the corner to Hotel Des Grandes Ecoles which I couldn't get into and I will try that next time.<BR><BR>lisa

I don't think I can add much to the usual recommendations you've gotten and the many prior posts on this topic. that is a low rate for the 6th, so you will get better value in the 7th and 5th. There are good sources for what you seek, which you've probably seen: Sandra Gustafson's book Great Sleeps in Paris, www.jack-travel.com, www.timeout.com all have good recommendations. <BR><BR>I will comment since I don't think others have weight in on this much -- absolutely avoid booking through those particular sites you mention. That is part of the problem in your search -- they are not much help because those particular sites are booking agents mainly for expensive and/or major chain hotels. They are not at all good for what you are looking. If you find the exact hotel you want on there, I suppose you can book it, but I really doubt if hardly any hotels in the range you are looking is going to work with them, and if they do, they won't give them a discount. With no discount (and I would check that even on major hotels, discounthotels.com is really bad if it's the one I'm thinking of in not giving any discounts) there is no reason whatsoever to use those booking sites, it can only complicate, confuse and prolong the process, and perhaps lead to nonrefundable expenditures.<BR><BR>There are some good hotel booking sites (I don't use them myself, always book directly) that don't charge fees and have a variety of smaller, modest hotels but those 3 are not it -- try www.france-hotel-guide.com, www.parishotels.com or digital.france.com/hotels for much better selection.<BR><BR>I don't think cleanliness should be any problem in a reputable hotel of that price range. Don't get too unrealistic about how you must be surrounded by quaint shops just outside your hotel door, Paris is a big city and quaint shops are interspersed with not-so-quaint shops, streets, etc.

Steph, Lesli just topped a thread re National Geog.'s list of 20 inexpensive hotels; it's a great list. You will find many of them have been mentioned time and again on this forum. <BR><BR>Thanks, Lesli; I tried every combination of words and couldn't come up with it.<BR><BR>I love the Hotel du Lys, 23 rue Serpente in the 6th, for wonderful little budget place. No email or website, but Google should have something with phone and fax #s on it.

I recently stayed at the Hotel D'Argenson in the 8th arrondissement. it was a wonderful find, a referral from some French friends of mine who live nearby. The 8th is in the financial district so classy shops and offices abound, with lots of brasseries and eateries open late. The $50 USD/night rate includes a Continental breakfast in the morning. A true find indeed and a perfect base for visiting all the nearby monuments (within walking distance and close Metro stops).

For those interested in the NG Traveler article about Paris hotels--and it was a good one--it appeared in the March 2001 issue. Check out your local library or contact the magazine--800-647-5463. The issue is really worth owning.<BR>It was that article that convinced us to stay at the Grandes Ecoles, and I, too, give it a solid, solid endorsement.

Dear Steph;<BR>be ware of www.parisby.com use them to check out hotels etc. but try not to book through them; their cancelation fees are steep read the fine print before you book through them.<BR>I also have a suggestion in the 7th the hotel Verneuil fax# 01 42 61 40 38 you can also find info. on this hotel by doing a search under Paris hotels in the 6th arrondissement. The rooms are small; but imaculate with charming decore ; and a wounderful staff. Located near the Musee d'Orsay; Blvd. Saint Germain; and walking distance to the Louvre.<BR>viva lA France<BR>Sherri

thanks everyone. i appreciate all the suggestions. i am going to try to research some of the new names that were mentioned and try to find somewhere i can view the national geographic article. the following link http://www.nationalgeographic.com/tr.../fieldreports/ should get me to the write up, but i get a server error when i try. i will play with it and see if i can figure out another way to view. f anyone else finds it quicker, just let me know.

Returned from 4 nights at Hotel Muguet--our 4th stay. Hotel is in perfect location. Small rooms unless you are able to secure a "grand lit" larger bed and room for about $100/night. Also highly recommend Le Florimond on 19 Ave Motte Piquet. 3 course is 27 euro and very good compared to other restaurants in the area. Book the hotel well ahead for larger room and restaurant upon arrival. Enjoy!

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