We're in our 70's and relish peace and quiet at night. Would like hotel to be in safe, handsome area, with pleasant streets to stroll (not interested in shopping at all). Don't need "elegant," but do appreciate decent-sized rooms (with good sound-proofing and good bed), and not-tiny bathrooms.
Would welcome suggestions in our price range. (Haven't been to Paris since my early 20's, so not even sure which arrondissement would be best for us.)
Thanks very much.

poss,
We love the classy and very quiet Hotel de Varenne on an elegant, quite handsome street in a posh area of the 7th. The entrance is via a lovely courtyard where breakfast and drinks are served in warm weather. It feels secluded from the moment you walk in and exudes tranquility. And it's family-run with a loyal, repeat clientele.

Their deluxe doubles, which are *quite* spacious by Paris (or even American) standards, start at €207(=€318) and go up to €227(=€345).
The updated marble baths are also spacious by Parisian standards and have separate WC. Classic decor, flat screen TV, great continental breakfasts served on fine china. It's a refined little place. But very popular, so must book well in advance.

Winter and summer special breaks bring the rate down to €187.

www.hotel-de-varenne.com

My parents, my 16 yr old son and my husband and I stayed at Hotel Henri IV on rue de Saint Jacques in the 5th. My parents had a double in the front of the hotel and had no issues with noise. We had a triple in the interior of the hotel and it was very quiet. The hotel itself was very nice (without being over the top) and it's about a block from the Seine. The price was very affordable, I thought. You can put in the hotel name in the search field above and find lots of positive reviews. Check it out:

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

We have dear friends (in their 60s-70s) who always stay at the Henri IV. They love it and just don't want to stay anywhere else.

Unfortunately, at that price, you will not see "American" size rooms or large bathrooms. However, a charming hotel is Hotel de l'Abbaye, located in the 6th not far from Place St. Sulpice. See their website.

www.hotelabbayeparis.com

The Hotel Henri IV's rooms are quite large, as well as the bathroom. There is a closet on wither side of the bed. If you get a triple room you will even have a daybed against the wall as you enter, then up a few steps to the bedroom.

I should be a far better proofreader. Make that $318 and $345.

Other friends love the suites and duplex apartments at the Hotel de l'Abbaye, but they are well beyond your budget, I think. They tell us that the standard doubles there are a bit compact in size.

Please take a look at the Hotel Luxembourg Parc, a 4 star hotel located across the street from the Luxembourg Gardens. It is a wonderful boutique hotel with lovely rooms and bathrooms. Small bar and salon as well. I have stayed there and you cannot beat it for ambiance as well as location. www.luxembourg-paris-hotel.com

Thanks so much for such prompt and detailed information. I will absolutely check these hotels. I forgot to mention, by the way, that since we sleep in a king at home, and are very restless (and poor) sleepers, we'd need to find accommodations either that have king bed (a rarity in Europe no doubt, at least in our price range) or we'd need separate beds (which is do-able, but way less pleasant).
Thank you!

I would say, in case it helps, that king size beds are not such a rarity in business-oriented hotels.
I understand this is not the kind of hotels you are looking for, but it doesn't hurt to check them if nothing better is available, I think you can find something good in your price range.

I think the rooms look very nice at this new hotel (in article from Feb08 Paris Notes)...

http://www.hotel-st-vincent.com/

Many "king" beds in Europe are actually two twin beds on the same frame, with separate sheets but one bedspread. The poster Rex B. once went on a quest to get a Paris hotel with "real" king beds, and had limited success.

Poss:

... after our stay a year ago, we are quite partial to the Hotel Duo on the corner of Verrarie and Rue du Temple, one block from the City Hall (Hotel de Ville), two blocks from the Pompidou, and on the fringe of the popular Marais. Rue de Rivoli is one block away, and its an easy walk to Notre Dame and to Ile St. Louis. Rooms are good sized, as are the bathrooms.

Modern, recently re-designed decor, lift and on site breakfast.

Rates today are about 250€.

stu t.

I also suggest Henri IV. The location can't be beat. Room 403 will be quiet (no street noise)and will meet your needs. Nice to hear the bells of Notre Dame when you open the windows.

Sebina

Also note that a queen size in us terms is a king in europe terms while a king is either unknown or has a name like "super king"

wow...a king in the States is bigger than 2 metres ? I think there is no room in Europe which could have such a bed inside

Thanks so much for the further input. I am making notes, checking and cross-checking.
Question: What about the sounds from nearby churches? I imagine that many travelers would enjoy the sound of bells or chimes-- part of the ambience, etc. But we were across from a wonderful church once in Barcelona and despite the superb views, we were miserable during our stay: just didn't appreciate the "noise." Can such sounds be heard inside the rooms of the mentioned hotels?
Thanks again.

poss:

at the Hotel Duo we did not notice any unusual sounds..no churches in the vicinty..no street noise either.

Stu T.

Try the Hotel Le Madison, in the 6th and opposite the church of St-Germain-des-Près. The windows are double-glazed; so rooms are very quiet, especially the ones on the inside. Twin-bedded rooms are the largest.

I'm not sure whether you can book it within the $300-$400 range, but Hotel Villa D'Estrees has king sized beds in the rooms, and we found it to be very quiet. I believe we paid approximately $350/nt when we went in October 2005, booking the room as a package with our plane ticket through expedia. The hotel website shows rates at 350 Euros now, which would be above your range. My husband and I loved the hotel; much more space than we had in the hotel we tried on our first trip to Paris. Wed would stay there on our next trip to Paris (May) but we're renting an apartment this time to save $.

It is in the left bank, just a few blocks from the Seine.

http://www.hotelvilladestreesparis.com/