Why don't you try asking for a smaller room? I looked at their web site and they do have cheaper rooms. However, how many are in your group? Or are you going solo?

I thought some time ago, you had rented the Danou...

I don't think there is a hotel called "The Luxembourg Gardens", so not sure what hotel that's about, but I didn't think the Hotel Jardin du Luxembourg was near the same category as some of these others and wouldn't be called a nice, boutique hotel. I didn't stay in it, just what I've read.

I think the Hotel Madison can probably book the room again, but since they thought it was booked, I don't think they are going to benefit or be thrilled by having to book it again. I suppose their cancellation policy is the usual--within 24-48 hours; if it's only 24 it could be cancelled.

I never book and cancel hotels just to look around, but sometimes people just change their minds about their budgets, or someone else could have booked it, especially if some business thing. I could see that someone might have grabbed it just to have a room as that is such a busy hotel period.

Hotel Le Regent - same neighborhood as Madison in the 6th/St.Germain. In your price range and gets lots of positive reviews here. We stayed there in May and liked it a lot- location is perfect. Here is the website. The website is a good representation of the rooms. Baths were great, modern and staff very helpful. Good luck.

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

I believe the Sainte Beuve is the 'Hotel Luxembourg Gardens' unless I'm mistaken. Anyway, what's the possiblility of the suggested hotels having last minute availabilities? I guess if someone else cancels suddenly? Maybe you can try laterooms.com.

I would second the suggestion for the Sainte Beauve. It's a nice small hotel with a boutique feel near the Luxembourg Gardens. Have stayed there several times. I think it's about 185 euros/night.

http://www.hotel-sainte-beuve.fr/

Sainte Beuve's cheapest room category costs 132 euro (breakfast is extra).

Sorry, I just checked my computer after landing in Dubai. I had reserved a room at the Madison, but still have to leave a deposit for it to be finalised. They have probably cancelled my reservation now.

I believe that the owners of the Madison only bought the BetM within the last 18 months or so. That might explain the more recent good reviews.

Christina,

The hotel I was thinking of is the Luxembourg Parc; it's a 4* and very nice.

thanks everyone for all the advice. I ended up booking an hotel through late rooms. Hotel Maruthins, which was a four star for only 200 euros a night. It was small, but in a very good location. We ordered lots of jewellery for our business from the fair, so it was a success thankfully. Only thing is I really wanted to go up the eiffel tower but didn't have time.

suki_7, I'm glad you found a suitable hotel on such short notice. One thing, can you please verify the hotel's name? I'd like to know more about it but I think the name is not correct.

I'm curious as I can't find a hotel with a name anything like that. Where was it? Are you sure that was it's name? I'd be interested in a four star hotel for under 200 a night, but can't find any information on this one.

Hotel des Mathurins, 8th

http://www.laterooms.com/en/P90620.html

http://www.cybevasion.com/hotels/fra...urins_793.html

Thanks Travelnut. The hotel itself looks nice.

Note: suki_7 flew out on 9/1/05.

Yes, tomboy, but she's back, right?

Thanks for figuring out or finding the correct spelling, Travelnut. It does look nice!

Thanks travelnut, you got the hotel name right. I forgot to put the "des" in the title. It was nice. My room was a bit small, but it was clean with a nice marble bathroom and in an excellent area. I am now in Milan, at Hotel Spadari, which is not as nice. I went to a fantastic store today called "10 corso" in via corso. It had great labels, but unfortunately I couldn't afford anything there. It had all my favourite designers.

suki, just for the record it wasn't the missing "des". You spelled it "Maruthins" and the correct name is "Mathurins". Big difference. No problem, just thought you might want to know for future reference.

suki, did you know that you can actually stay at the shop 10 corso?
see www.3rooms-10corsocomo.com
quite expensive, though... but looks fabulous.

Hi Katrine, no I didnt know you could stay at 10 corso. It is a fantastic shop, but it is that close to the Duomo or centre of Milan.