DH and I are celebrating our 5th anniversary at the end of this month, and have decided to spend part of the week in Paris (the other part on the Riviera). We've never been to Paris before. I've put a lot of time into looking at hotels, and am having a hard time deciding. What we are looking for this time is a good deal, on the most luxurious accommodations possible within the $350-400 range per night, maybe higher (up to $500) if necessary. Ambiance and nice rooms are key (we usually stay at five star properties, so we're pretty used to that, though I know to expect less in Paris). Any of the good chains (Hyatt, Marriott, Four Seasons, etc.) are either booked or astronomical ($800 range), and most of the best Parisian-based hotels seemed to also be booked or WAY outside our price range. We like to be in the center of things, but given a choice between having a more luxurious place slightly off center (not far, and easily accessible) or a tattier place right in the middle, we choose luxury. (Loved the Exedra in Piazza Republica in Rome, and the Cranley in Kensington in London, both of which people said were not so central, as a trade off to a not so nice place right dab in the middle of the tourist sites.) I've narrowed down some choices, though I am open to other suggestions. We are 31, and DH hates stuffy places. We prefer the all-white-linens type look to dowdy bedspreads, but it the best hotels in our price range are more traditional, that's cool, too.

I'd love your opinion:

Castille (in the 1st arr.): 4 star, looks pretty nice and very central. Has a tiny gym (this is a plus for us) $359 US.

Raphael (in the 16th): 4.5-5 star. My searches on here tell me that people think it is luxurious, but not so central, and not as luxurious as the Geo V, Ritz, Crillon, Hyatt, and some others. Is this right? It's $481, which seems good for the * rating in Paris, but still is high for us, so I'm wondering if it is so much nicer than the others that it is worth the extra hundred a night (would it be a safer bet?). It does have a gym and apparently king size beds (is this true?). Is ths 16th not central? Sounds far away?

Millenium Opera (9th): 4 star. Photos look nice, but DH thought it looked a little stuffy. No gym. $342 seems like a good price for the property, but again, I'm just not sure how it compares to the others. Not sure if the 9th is central. Sounds central.

Hospes Lancaster (8th arr): Says 4.5-5*. Looks nice, but is the most expensive ($486). Kind of outside what I was looking to spend, but I guees I have the same questions as I do for the Raphael (is it worth it?) My understanding is that the 8th is central, so that's a plus, but not as good as the 1st.

Sofitel Arc de Triomphe (8th): 4 star. This one seems the most comparable to the Castille. They both get mostly good reviews, with a few exceptions. It looks reliably chain-hotel nice, but a bit corporate (is it?). Again, my understanding is the 8th is central, but not as good as the 1st?

What would you do? What's the best deal? Thanks.

are you close to the end of the Tour de France? If so, hotels could be scarce. Check out venere.com, read their reviews if you have the time. We stayed in the 6th with children as we needed two rooms, but solo, we stay at Prince DeGaulles.

No, we are going at the end of June. Paris from 24th of June to 1st of July. Tour de France is July 7-29.

Has no one stayed at these hotels?

The majority of posters here, based on my readings, stay in mid-range 3* hotels, maybe $150-300/night, unless they stay in less expensive places. Have you looked at reviews on Tripadvisor.com as well?

Yes, I looked at Trip Advisor when narrowing to these. The one thing I thought Fodorites could help with is choosing between them, or comparing one to the other overall, you know?

Have you checked out Montalambert in the 6th. My boss, like you a 5* person; or the one I'd pick with your budget http://www.aubusson-paris-hotel.com/

At this time of year, I'd probably start checking Laterooms.com as well. It will limit the search to the hi-end hotels.
Have a lovely trip.

Where in the Riviera?

Thanks, Suzie. I will check that one out as well. I love getting suggestions from actual people rather than just finding things online! I have been checking laterooms, as I had success there on my trip to England/Scotland. Better rates elsewhere (Expedia, Kayak, Skoosh) on this trip it seems. Not sure why, but I'm going to keep checking late rooms until I book something.

I haven't stayed at any of them and don't stay at that price range -- however, from hearing about them and their locations, I would choose the Raphael or the Castille, or maybe the Lancaster. I would not want to stay around the Arc de Triomphe, but if I did (and you seem to like that area if you would want to stay at Geo V), it would be the area south of the Champs-Elysees, not north where I don't think it's so convenient. The Raphael is south, although it's not around Geo V etc in the 8th. It's not far away though, and I've heard a lot of nice things about it.
The Millenium OPera isn't in an area I'd consider luxury, although I suppose if you are buying antiques or going to the auction or doing business around there, it would be fine. I wouldn't pay a whole bunch to stay there because I don't like the area that much. I know it is near some of those real expensive shops on bd Hausmann but I don't shop there.

The Castille is a pretty convenient location, not far from plce Vendome and the Madeleine.

So I have no idea about the rooms, but would dump the Millenium Opera for location, and the Sofitel, and prob. the Lancaster. It's the most expensive, and as trendy as it is, I don't think it's as convenient a location.

Thank you, Christina. Your post is very helpful!!! I'm not particularly attached to staying near the George V by the way (I've never even been to Paris, so I have no idea where it is located, actually)-- I just keep reading that it is the best hotel in Paris. Funny, but both the Raphael and the Castille seem to stand out to me as well, so I guess maybe I'm thinking those two right now. And so it seems a bit of a trade off between ideal location and perhaps a bit more luxury...

Have you thought about the Pavillion de la Reine. The location is fantastic right on the Place de Vosges in the Marais. Here is the tripadvisor review http://tinyurl.com/ywhmbv

Thanks, happy to travel. I did check it out. Unfortunately, it's running over $600 per night that week! Looks lovely, though!

I like saying in the 6th - and Madison and Audbusson are nice smaller hotels. They are in the St. Germain area. They are not Four Seasons type but small botique hotels. Also, the Regina Hotel is nice - if you get a room that faces the Seine.

Hotel D'Aubusson
www.hoteldaubusson.com

We stayed here in April and absolutely loved it. Our room was lovely, the service was fantastic and there is a wonderful little jazz bar off the lobby.
Make sure to ask for one of the Grand Luxe rooms as they are considerably larger. Ours was number 106, which had a large foyer, large bathroom and a sitting area with a full sofa and two chairs.

Check out their packages also. We went with the "Romance Package" which included private airport pick-up, breakfast, , a fantastic champagne lunch and some other "treats".The rate for the package was 395€per night. Not bad with all the extras. The room normally sells for 450€ per night , with nothing included.

We would definitely stay there again.

Hotel Rochester Champs Elysées