Recently booked great air fare to Paris and can't find a resonable hotel in a good arrondissment (1st or second). Am somewhat accustomed to American Hotels and amenities, i.e. bathroom in room. Seeking recommendations promptly. Leaving on Sept 4th, 1999. Thank you. Help!

Lisa, <BR>My family is going to Paris in October. As we are from Australia and our dollar is almost half of US I've been doing a lot of searching for reasonably priced hotels. You could try the New Hotel (across from Station Gare Du Nord) recently refurbished email: [email protected], we are booked in there for our last night before heading to London early the next morning. We are also staying at the Lux Hotel Picpus near Nation about 15 minutes RER from Gare Du Nord. It's a really nice hotel opposite a lovely garden, really good prices and close to RER line to all major sites. I'm paying approx $100 US for a four person room with shower, etc. Breakfast is 35ff per person and is buffet. I phoned Paris Disneyland and also asked the operator about this area of Paris. She told me it's a great area, a good opportunity to really see and mix in with the locals. Info:www.france-hotel-guide.com/75012lux.htm. It's also on RER line to Disneyland Paris. <BR>Good luck <BR>Lisa

There are lots of websites where you can select and book a hotel in Paris online. Do a search for "Paris Hotels" for the list of websites.

Lisa, <BR>Your question posted in two different threads-be sure and check the other one also! Several of us replied on the other one.

Stayed for eighteen days at the Le Relais du Louvre, clean about $130, nice <BR>but European bath (hand held shower) <BR>and very clean. <BR>One block to Louvre, on a quiet street, <BR>two metro stops within a block, plenty <BR>of restuarants within walking distance. <BR>Nice staff, english spoken, especially <BR>by manager Sophie, but very french in <BR>nature. <BR>Have a wonderful time.

Stayed for eighteen days at the Le Relais du Louvre, clean about $130, nice <BR>but European bath (hand held shower) <BR>and very clean. <BR>One block to Louvre, on a quiet street, <BR>two metro stops within a block, plenty <BR>of restuarants within walking distance. <BR>Nice staff, english spoken, especially <BR>by manager Sophie, but very french in <BR>nature. <BR>Have a wonderful time.

Lisa, <BR>I've never stayed in a hotel in Europe without a private bathroom - "nowadays" most hotels (particularly those that deal with Americans) have "ensuite" facilities as it is called - granted they are probably a few dollars more than "down the hall" bathrooms but let's face it it's alot more convenient! I've mentioned on this forum before that Best Western has an International Division. They are not like BW motels in the U.S. They are private hotels throughout Europe, including many in Paris. You can book via the 800 number, just ask for international. You can also visit their website for a rundown on hotels, amenities, etc. We've stayed in 7 or 8 of them on various trips and have always found them quite comfortable and all had ensuite bathrooms as well. You can book with a credit card (no deposit necessary). If you are worried about the room contact Holiday Inn, Hilton or Sheraton as well - they all have hotels in Paris,however be forewarned they can be rather pricey.

Virtually all rooms in 3 star hotels have bathrooms, and nowadays most in 2-star hotels, also, it seems to me--in fact, finding one without one would be more difficult. I wouldn't recommend you stay near the Gare du Nord or near place Nation, as someone else suggested; neither is a great area. The first and second arr. are not really what I would regard as the good areas, either. I mean, they're ok I guess, a lot of tourists stay in the first, I don't know why as I don't like it at all-- the second is more a business area, don't know why you'd want there. Anyway, I think most would regard as good areas the 4th through 8th arr., parts of 11th, 9th and 12-18th are ok (further out, though), but you have to know areas to judge what a particular location is like. Your problem is really that Sept is very busy in Paris and many places are booked by now. I don't know what your idea of reasonable is, but calling Best Western is a good idea as you'll get a lot of info with one phone call; their hotels range from moderate (maybe $125+) to expensive. I think the Holiday Inns are more expensive in Paris, I wouldn't waste time with them as they don't have that many anyway. You'd probably do better staying in a slightly less popular area (I mean with getting reservations at this late date)--try maybe the 14th, that's my favorite area and a lot of tourists won't stay there (which is why I like it). There are some WEB sites where you can reserve or get info online, try www.webscapades.com or www.123france.com. You might try the Libertel chain (their Libertel "brand" is the most modestly priced, about $100) as they have a WEBsite with online reservations (www.libertel-hotels.com). I'd suggest their Maxim hotel in the 5th arr. near the Censier metro as good location but modest price and not as popular as many of the hotels you'll find recommended over and over again in guidebooks and on this board. Anyway, there are tons of possible hotels, that's for sure -- you could also try Jet Vacations (800-538-0999), a travel consolidator, think they specialize in France and maybe that could cut time, they handle the Timhotel chain which is pretty budget (i,e $80+), some are very basic, some are nicer. <BR>