I am planning a special trip to Paris this summer and am looking for a hotel that is both romantic in ambiance and inexpensive. Does such a place exist? This will be my first time in Paris and has special meaning for me. I am going to meet up with a man who I care a great deal for and have not seen in a year- so you can imagine romance will be in the air. I would appreciate any suggestions. thanks!!!

There are hundreds of recommendations already posted here. Have you tried a search? Further, there are a dozen or more excellent web booking resources with online brochures including maps. You would be well advised to book forthwith for "this summer".

Camille <BR>As recommended, for starters try a Search on this forum for Paris hotel and you'll get a lot of information. <BR>You can also go elsewhere on this Fodor's website and design a "miniguide" for Paris that will include hotels in your price range. <BR>There are lots of hotel websites; just two are www.paris.org (lots of other info as well) and www.hotelboulevard.com. <BR>If you have any interest in my <BR>sightseeing, hotel, and other notes on Paris, feel free to email me.

Well I'd need to know what "romantic" and "inexpensive" mean to you. Just know that the romance at this level of hotel will not be jacuzzis and fluffy robes. <BR>My definition of "ramance" at the $100-120 USD level is more about pretty rooms, decent plumbing, quiet and a decent front desk. <BR>A few suggestions that I have gleaned from this board: Hotel Muguet [7eme], Hôtel des Grandes Ecoles [5eme], Hotel Bersoly's [7eme, almost 6eme]. I have stayed at the latter, seen the lobby of the former and have heard only great things about the middle one. There have also been references to a Hotel Renoir or was it Regent that sounded nice. I hope this gets you started.

Try Hotel Abbatial on Blvd. St. Germain. Just one block (or two) from Notre Dame - rooms on 6th floor have view of Notre Dame. I believe our rate last year was around $150 U.S. - definitely the largest hotel room I ever had in Europe. Helpful, English-speaking staff. Check it out at parishotels.com.

Recently stayed at the Hotel St.-Jacques in the 5th, and found the rooms and ambience in general quite nice for the price. Many rooms have balconies, and some have views. <BR> <BR>See: http://www.france-hotel-guide.com/h75005stjacques.htm

Thanks for all the tips so far. I checked out a few of the suggested websites and they are great, especially www.hotelboulevard.com and www.parishotels.com (includes pix!). I realize that "romantic" depends on the person- you're right about that. Basically I'm looking for a clean, friendly and safe hotel with charm (don't want to spend more than $100 or so/night) Perhaps in a hip area of Paris? I read that Marais is like Soho/Greenwich Village in NY- that is right up my ally. Anyway, please keep the responses coming.

SAINT JACQUES: 35, rue Ecoles. 5e. Tel: 0144074545. Fax: 0143256550. Web site: http://www.france-hotel-guide.comh75005/ (35 rms., 31 w/toilet & bath or shower.) 465-490F/71-75EUR single; 465-565-625F/71-86-95EUR double; 690F/105EUR triple. Breakfast (7-11am) at 40-50F pp can be served in the room. Visa, MC, DC, AX. English spoken (Joe & Brigitte), cable TV w/CNN, wonderful, beautiful 19th-century quaint hotel w/uniquely & individually furnished carpeted large rms., new modern bathrooms, most rms. have 19th-century ornamented high ceilings, wonderful combination of Parisian atmosphere in an impressive lobby, beautiful preserved architectural features, large windows, #31 (double bed, bathtub & balcony w/view Notre Dame & Panthéon), 30 (double bed, bathtub & balcony w/view of rooftops & Sacre-Coeur), 28 (double bed, large bathroom w/shower & balcony w/view of rooftops) are all attic rms.; #32 & 33 attic rms. w/o balconies; all the attic rms including #29 are the smallest & cheapest at 465F for a double; examples of the higher-priced rooms are as follows: #5 large rm. w/mini-canopy king-size or 2 twin beds, rm. for extra bed for a child & balcony w/2 French windows at 625F; #16 large pretty rm. w/double bed, large bathroom w/bathtub, 2 large windows, rm. for extra bed for a child & faces front at 625F; #18 & 19 (both rms. w/double bed, 1 twin bed & shower) at 625F for a double & 690F for a triple; #17 nice-size rm. w/double bed & bathtub at 565F for a double; #8 w/double bed, 1 twin bed & balcony; #6 w/double bed, bathtub & balcony w/2 French window); #2 w/double bed, bathtub & 2 balconies w/view of street; #9 w/2 twin beds, large bathroom w/bathtub, balcony & faces street; 12 rms. have views of Panthéon &/or Notre-Dame, the higher the flr. the better the view, the rms. with no showers/toilets are cheaper, hair driers, soundproofed, noisy location, wrought-iron staircase, elevator, which only goes to the 5th flr., 6 flrs. Owned/managed by Mr. Rousseau. Métro: Maubert-Mutualité. <BR>http://www.HelloEurope.com <BR>Hello France! A Hotel Guide To Paris & 25 other French Cities $50-$99 A Night For Two! <BR>

I recommend you get a copy of Fodor's Hotels of Character and Charm Paris. For a lovely little book that includes lots of pictures and hotels of all price ranges. I recomend from personal experience Hotel des Grand Balcons which I found both affordable, centrally located and romantic! Bon Voyage!

To the top!

I like Champ de Mars in the 7th. Small, clean, very friendly owners. What is romantic for me though - may not be for you. The rue Cler neighboorhood is very quiet at night. But very busy during the day as it is a pedestrian street with butcher, cheese, wine, pastry, flower shops lining. Very romantic to get a picnic lunch - wine, cheese, baguette and go towards the Eiffel tower for a picnic. That's romantic!

The following newsletter article list 15 hotels in Paris that fit the criteria of small, charming, best value hotels. <BR> <BR>http://www.bparis.com/newsletter1464...tm?doc_id=7016 <BR> <BR>Phone numbers and addresses are included in the article.

Camille, <BR>The Marais is a bit like SOHO/Greenwich Village. We stayed at a nice little hotel that should be in your price range, Le Caron de Beaumarchais. Very friendly and competent proprietor, nice appointments, near the Ile St. Louis, Place de Vosges. Have dinner at Bofinger, a seafood bistro, near La place de Bastille in the next Department. <BR> <BR>Anthony

Romantics abound.... To the top!

In The Marais also consider the Grand Hotel Jean D'Arc...very nice, not expensive, nice rooms and great location. Our next trip (this November) we are using a hotel on Rue Cler close to Eiffel Tower (Grand Hotel Leveque)..it has good write ups so thought we would try it. Usually prefer to stay on right bank, but this will be a change. One time we stayed in a TimHotel on Rue De La Banque real close to Opera and it was quite nice as well and on a really nice street. I have heard that TimHotels can vary in quality though, but this one was very nice and well done up. There are also many nice small hotel around the Arch of Triumph - used one there but can not recall name at this time, something like Regente Etoile (?) and it was on Ave Wagram...

Hi Camille, <BR> I recommend the Hotel Madison in the 6th arrondisement. It is right across the the street from the Saint Germain de Pres Church. The breakfasts are free and are wonderful! My room overlooked the boulevard and on last night there was a concert in the church courtyard. I think you'd find it quite romantic. It is 3 stars, but is more like a 4 star hotel. Have a great time!

I second Jeff's review of the Madison. We stayed there two years ago and will be back there in May, 2001. Great location, staff and value.

get a copy of rick steves book paris and <BR>stay on rueclare a traffic free street.he will help you with everything <BR>else in paris also.great city.two couplesspent our 40th anniversary there.

Camille <BR> <BR>Regarding the posts about Hotel Madison: Have not stayed there but it sounds wonderful. I believe it is also way out of your price range. I researched it and it is around $200 US a night (even including breakfast that is a stretch). If I am incorrect, please all you Fodorites there correct me. I would love to stay there, it sounds like a dream.

Grand Hotel des Balcons has been much recommended on this site, so much so that we have reservations this May. Do a search above (type Grand Hotel des Balcons, select France and click on Find). I can't personally recommend, but it shore sounds good (and romantic).