Hi we will be spending a couple days in Paris in October of 08.

The main attraction we want to see is the Eiffel Tower. Anything else would be secondary since we have to take a tour from Paris to Normandy.

We found a "Best Western" hotel that claims it is only 900 meters from the Tower...51 Rue Lauriston.

We want to book very close to the tower but this Best Western does not have a restaurant. Not knowing Paris, if there are restaurants within a few feet (lol) it should not be a problem. We chose Best Western only because it is an American chain.

Would anyone suggest any "better" hotels that are as close to the Tower or ones with restaurants in them...please

Many Thanks,

Personally, I wouldn't want to be right next to the Eiffel Tower as I don't find that immediate area that great. There will be cafes and restaurants all over the place. And just because it is a Best Western doesn't make it an American hotel. Personally, I'd choose the 7th down around Avenue Bosquet/Avenue Le Motte Piquet. There are many inexpensive hotels around Rue Cler and nearby. The Champs de Mars which is the park where the tower is located is literally 2 blocks away. The park is beautiful and the Tower is actually very close but far enough away to really enjoy seeing the whole thing. Too close and your neck will hurt!

I think staying instead in the 7th is a good suggestion. One hotel that gets good reviews and is not too expensive is the Duquesne Eiffel.

http://www.duquesneeiffel-paris-hotel.com/

You did not do your homework. Best Western is NOT an "American chain" in Europe. In Europe Best Westerns are independent hotels that bear no resemblance to what you are thinking of in America.

And I agree, the area right around the Tour Eiffel is a bit of a wasteland. If the hotel is 900 meters from the TE you'll likely have a fair bit of a hike to get to civilization, meaning restaurants, cafés, shopping, etc.

The only hotels I know in Paris that have restaurants in them are high-end, very expensive ones. Why do you have to have a restaurant in the hotel, when there are restaurants every few feet in most neighborhoods in Paris? I would suggest you look at the Rue Cler area - Hôtel du Champs de Mars, Duquesne-Eiffel, Hôtel de France, etc. There are restaurants galore in this area.

We stayed at the Hotel Henri IV Rive Gauche in the Latin Quarter and liked it very much. A room on one of the higher floors at the front will give you a view of the Eiffel Tower and you'll be practically right on top of the gargoles of Saint Severin church. It's a block from the Petit Pont over the Seine and Notre Dame cathedral. They also have a car service which you can hire if you're flying into CDG airport.

Here's the website:
http://www.henri-paris-hotel.com/

Nathalie speaks English very well and is very helpful.

I wouldn't worry about finding an American chain.

We did a hotel on hotwire last year and ended up with the Hilton Eiffel Tower. It was very nice and doing it through hotwire was great. With hotwire you take the chance as to where you will be. You no area but not the hotel. The Hilton is considered a 4 star. Has a nice resturant and a bar. My husband just took the chance again last week with hotwire for Paris and got the same hotel for $155 a night. Knowing you are paying in $ right now is a good thing. Might not be exactly where you want to be but for the price it was great. The train system in Paris is so good you can get anywhere. Good Luck! This april when I meet him after a meeting he is at (after staying at the Hilton), we will stay for free with points at the Holiday Inn St. Germaine. Again not exactly where we would want to be but it is free and we would rather spend our money on food and wine. Enjoy!

The hotel closest to the Eiffel is the older Hilton - from what I've read, the rooms are in need of updating. (on or near rue Jean Rey). Right next to it is the Mercure Paris Tour Eiffel Suffren. You might also look into the Derby Alma.

http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hote...Paris/index.do

http://www.mercure.com/mercure/fiche...he_hotel.shtml

http://www.hotelderbyeiffel.com/indexus.html

http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do

I have to agree with francophile03 - We stayed at Duquesne Eiffel on the 5th floor top corner of the hotel and had the Eiffel Tower in our window every night. Magical! So worth it! We're going back in 2010 and hopefully getting that same room.

Rue Lauriston is in the 16th arrondissement, across the river from the Eiffel Tower, and "only 900 meters" is about half a mile. Not exactly "very close."

Look for hotels in the 7th arrondissement as other posters have suggested.

Hi B,

>Hi we will be spending a couple days in Paris in October of 08.

The main attraction we want to see is the Eiffel Tower.

?????

You can see the ET from almost anywhere in Paris.

Have you looked up Paris under "Destinations"?